Scottish Cup: 6/10th Jan

[Beanie]

I reckon Livi will win too Komp. Losing to QOS and Airdrie and then going on to beat Hamilton away is the type of thing we've been doing season after season. Few quid on it for me.

[Betfly]

Originally Posted by kompressaur

word of warning Ross County backers. Theyve got 2 out injured and 6 players out due to flu

Too Late!

Hats off to jags. cnuts :

[kompressaur]

at Rangers Bring back PLG

I rememeber reading that a virus is affecting Aberdeens plans for wednesday's game. Hibs where all over them in the league last week though it ended 0-0. Could be a diff story at Pittodrie but the 2/1+ on Hibs appeals to me.

I migght go and back rangers to get back into this. Anyone fancy them? See live thread for details

[milners]

Originally Posted by kompressaur

at Rangers Bring back PLG

I rememeber reading that a virus is affecting Aberdeens plans for wednesday's game. Hibs where all over them in the league last week though it ended 0-0. Could be a diff story at Pittodrie but the 2/1+ on Hibs appeals to me.

I migght go and back rangers to get back into this. Anyone fancy them? See live thread for details

I thought hibs was rather poor against us last week. This was not the same hibs side i've seen this season when they murdered us and even the game against us at Pittodrie. You have to remember Aberdeen had 5 players that played had a flu bug against them and we also had Hart who is an important player suspended for that game - maybe it was the brown and thomson thing but they didn't impress me considering our problems and the fact i was going to back against the dons. We also have a very good record against them as well - it also looks like the flu is clearing up with the main players and just a few shite players that have it now.

[kompressaur]

thanks for that Milners. I was reading last weeks paper on the loo the other day and was reading the match report (the Sun -my brother buys it ) and they seemed prety convinced that it was a game dominated by Hibs and how they never won was a mystery. Im just gonna avoid it i think

[SonicReducer]

Seems like a tough game to call so I think I will skip it myself, but I guess both sides plans to field the strongest line up the are able to field?

[milners]

Originally Posted by kompressaur

thanks for that Milners. I was reading last weeks paper on the loo the other day and was reading the match report (the Sun -my brother buys it ) and they seemed prety convinced that it was a game dominated by Hibs and how they never won was a mystery. Im just gonna avoid it i think

Don't get me wrong - hibs was the better side but look at the saves our keeper had to make - 1!!! He also made a fuck up which they just missed but Hibs was not that impressive but i feel Aberdeen is getting slagged off for a team that had 5 players with the flu and also 2 missing isn't that bad to get 0-0. They don't like playing the likes of Aberdeen which never an attacking team but a very good defensive team.

[igor5]

Aberdeen v Hibernian

Aberdeen captain Russell Anderson has admitted his frustration at the Dons' inability to transmit their good league form over the last three seasons into cup football.

Since manager Jimmy Calderwood took over at Pittodrie, Aberdeen have secured consecutive top six finishes and are currently only one point behind second-placed Rangers in the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

However, that is in stark contrast to their showings in the Tennent's Scottish Cup.

In 2005, the Dons were eliminated by Dundee United at the quarter-final stage and last season it was a fourth-round exit at the hands of Hearts.

This term, Aberdeen's fortunes in knock-out competitions hit a new low when they were humiliated after losing on penalty kicks to amateur side Queen's Park in the second round of the CIS Cup.

But Anderson is hopeful that the Dons can finally embark on a lengthy cup run under Calderwood and build on a good season to date.

He said: ``I think our league form has improved a lot since the manager came here, so, over the last two years it has been really disappointing to not put in a performance when it mattered in the cup, first against Dundee United, then when we played Hearts last year.

``I really can't put my finger on why we have done well in the league but not the cups, but you definitely need a little bit of luck to get far in a cup and the problem is that if you lose one game then you are our for another season, while in the league you always have a chance to recover from any defeats you pick up.''

Aberdeen last reached the final of the Scottish Cup in 2000, where they lost 4-0 to Rangers and Anderson would love to lead the Dons to Hampden in his testimonial season at Pittodrie.

But the Scotland international defender insisted that if Aberdeen fail to channel all their efforts into beating Hibernian on Wednesday, then it will be another year of dissatisfaction for the Dons in the cup.

He said: ``It has been a while since we got to the final which is disappointing because it was a great experience.

``We are only in the third round at the moment though so it is wrong to think further ahead, as if we don't concentrate totally on the match with Hibs then it will be another season where we won't go as far as we want to.''

Hibernian captain Rob Jones believes his team are overdue some reward for their efforts against Aberdeen - and hopes it arrives at Pittodrie.

Jones is hoping the Easter Road side finally get what they feel they deserve from a meeting with the Dons this season in the Tennent`s Scottish Cup tie.

Aberdeen have held Hibernian to two draws in Edinburgh already this term and won the only match at Pittodrie thanks to Scott Severin`s late goal.

With their goalless draw on January 2 still fresh in the memory, 27-year-old Jones insists he and his team-mates have felt hard done by on each occasion and is desperate for a change of luck in the fourth encounter.

He said: ``I think you could say that we feel we've not got what we've deserved out of the games with Aberdeen so far.

``On the first day of the season we should have won, and in the game away from home they scored in the dying seconds.

``We didn't play that well that day but for them to score the winner late on was a kick in the teeth.

``Each game we've played against them has been extremely close and I'm sure this one will be also but hopefully with a few more goals.

``It's a bit weird the way we're playing each other again after just over a week but I'm sure this game will be a lot different.

``I think there's a bit more freedom to be had in a cup game. We're going there confident but we know it's going to be difficult.''

Hibernian dominated for long spells of last week's league match but could not find their way through a resolute visiting defence.

Jones believes Aberdeen will attack more at home and is hopeful Hibernian can find the killer instinct they need to turn their fine build-up play into goals.

He added: ``We created a lot of chances last week. Hopefully we can create that many again and this time make one count.

``You have to give them respect for last week. They came and set their stall out and were extremely pleased with a point playing here.

``But this time they're at home and maybe they've got to come out of their shell a little bit more than they did last time and it will no doubt be an interesting game.''

soccer365.com

[igor5]

The BBC live match between these two evenly matched teams will be a contest that both will be looking to win as they eye a cup final appearance.
Vital Quotes:
Jimmy Calderwood:'It's a massive game and we've all got our dreams - managers and players - but I don't think the draw has been too kind to us,' he told BBC Scotland.

But I would expect John Collins to say the same and it's probably two of the favourites at the moment to win the cup.'

'I'm sure, like myself, John Collins is not completely happy with the draw but from our perspective, we do have home advantage and for both of us, it's a chance to eliminate one of the favourites. The league is of course our main priority but there's no doubt the cup is the shortest way to playing European football so we are all acutely aware of exactly how much this match means.

'Both ourselves and Hibs have the ability to go on and win the Scottish Cup so a big team is going to go out. It is going to be a difficult game but we have a good record against Hibs so we go into the game full of confidence. I think we gave them too much possession last Tuesday but defensively we did well, however I don't expect us to do so much defending this Wednesday as we are at home and must take the game to them.

Russell Anderson: ' We've said for the last few seasons that it's time we had a good cup run and for both sides, there are a lot of incentives. Winning will put one of the favourites out of the competition and then there's a home draw in the next round, which is all you can ever ask for in the cup. You have to play some good sides if you want to win the cup, so hopefully we can make the most of home advantage on Wednesday night.'



John Collins:'I certainly hope there are more goals involved in the tie,' he said.

I don't expect too many surprises because the teams play each other so often.'

Pittodrie is a tough place to go but we want to be in the final and win this competition.'
Aberdeen Team News:
Barry Nicholson should return and Russell Anderson, Gary Dempsey and Chris Clark have all returned to full training and will play. Andrew Considine will have to miss out as he is still struggling with flu and Zander Diamond is suspended for the match. Jamie Smith and Richie Byrne are longterm casulaties and have no news of when they are likely to return.
Player to watch: Russell Anderson
The battle between club captain Russell Anderson and Chris Killen could be the difference in this match. Anderson done well against the SPL second top scorer and will have to do so again if his team is to progress.
Hibs Team News:
Hibs will be without the contract rebels Kevin Thomson who is suspended and Scott Brown is a doubt with a hamstring injury.

erouane Zemmama will again miss out also because of a hamstring problem.
Player to watch: Ivan Sproule
The Irishman had Ricky Foster beaten so many times in the recent encounter at Easter Road and Ricky actually tumbled over trying to defend against him. It was just down to poor finishing that he didn't net for his team that day and the Dons can't expect to be so lucky again.

Match Facts & Stats
Aberdeen have never lost against Hibernian in the Scottish Cup at Pittodrie in 90 minutes or extra time. The only defeat came in 1997 when Jim Leighton inspired Hibernian to a penalty shoot out win at the stadium after a 2-2 draw in front of the Sky cameras at Easter Road.
http://www.aberdeen.vitalfootball.co...re.asp?a=45908

[Betfly]

Tip from Racing Post:-

IT is about time Aberdeen had a decent cup run and they can get their campaign off and running by beating Hibernian at 11-10.

The Dons were second-best at Easter Road last week, when it took a dogged defensive display to hold Hibs to a 0-0 draw, but they are expected to be stronger now with several players recovering from the effects of a festive flu bug.

Besides, that draw made it six unbeaten for Aberdeen against tonight’s opponents and any change in that record is unlikely to come at Pittodrie as Hibs’ away record is modest.
Only Celtic have collected more homepoints than the Edinburgh club, and it is their form on the road that leaves them only fifth in the SPL table.

Despite wins over Dundee United, Dunfermline and Motherwell, all in the bottom four, Hibs have lost seven out of 11 away, including their last three, leaving them only fifth in the SPL table. They have also let in 14 goals in just seven matches against the top eight.

Kevin Thomson’s suspension and the potential absence of Scott Brown also leaves a hole in their midfield.

Recommendation
Aberdeen 1pt 11-10 general

[daikoku]

I know it's the cup but I do fancy Aberdeen tonight. Looking at the Hibs away record and it's really not that good.

Hibernian P11 W3 D1 L7

The 3 victories and 1 draw all came against teams in the bottom half of the table.

18/11/2006 Motherwell(11th) 1-6 Hibernian
23/10/2006 Dunfermline(12th) 0-4 Hibernian
10/09/2006 Dund Utd(9th) 0-3 Hibernian
12/08/2006 ICT(8th) 0-0 Hibernian

I was trying to get an idea of how Hibs perform without Brown and Thomson in midfield. Looking at the results didn't really reveal much though. Both Brown and Thomson have played in 9 of the 11 away games. Both players were in the teams that managed the 3 wins and a draw. However both Brown and Thompson played in 5 of the 7 away defeats.

Aberdeen are virtually full strength tonight, they have a solid home record and have only been beaten by Celtic(1st), Rangers(2nd), Hearts(4th), and have 1 draw with ICT(8th).

I'll be backing Aberdeen with medium stakes.

[SonicReducer]

HIBS were dealt a further blow today with the news that Steven Fletcher has been ruled out of tonight's Tennent's Scottish Cup third-round clash with Aberdeen, according to Scotsman.

Would he have started the game cause Zemmama and Thomson is outruled?

[milners]

Player to watch: Ivan Sproule mmmm i think he's a one trick pony - no doubt after i say this he will take the piss out of us tonight. But basically a man with pace but final ball or shot lets him down, if he had that talent he wouldn't be playing for hibs.

Just noted that it said considine won't make it - i presume he will since it said in the papers up here the flu has cleared up yesterday.

[Betfly]

Guys,

Anyone know why dons price >?

(Other than dosh n hibs)

[Bigkegman]

Originally Posted by Betfly

Guys,

Anyone know why dons price >?

(Other than dosh n hibs)

Don't now cause wuth Hibs injuries and suspensions I'm thinking Aberdeen are a decent shout now even although I've got a couple of quid on Hibs :loon