'I can't make a case for Hearts here' - Journalists' predictions for Hearts v Aberdeen
Mark Atkinson
Normally I mark this down as a home win as Hearts tend to have the beating of the Dons at Tynecastle.
I can't make a case for them here.
Daniel Stendel's men have not shown enough of late that they can trouble Derek McInnes' side. Even without their suspended top goalscorer Sam Cosgrove, Aberdeen should have enough all over the pitch to garner the points. Prediction: Hearts 0-2 Aberdeen.
Anthony Brown
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Hide AdHearts have shown some promise at various points in their last three games but have been undermined by weaknesses at both ends of the park on each occasion.
Aberdeen usually struggle at Tynecastle but Derek McInnes’s team should have enough about them to capitalise on Hearts’ ongoing fragility. Prediction: Aberdeen win
Neil McGlade
Eat. Sleep. Repeat. That’s the best way to describe this Hearts squad at the moment because they are certainly doing next to nothing in between.
The derby defeat to Hibs was just another nail in the coffin for a side who, with each passing game, look stick-on favourites to be playing Championship football next season.
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Hide AdIt doesn’t get any easier with Aberdeen in town and although the Dons tend not to fare well in Gorgie, I simply cannot see anything other than an away win. Prediction: Aberdeen win.
Patrick McPartlin
I wouldn't be surprised to see Hearts eke out a draw in this fixture, based on a combination of Aberdeen's form at Tynecastle in the last two and a half years; the fact that surely - surely - something has to click for Daniel Stendel sooner or later and the chance of an unexpected result over the festive season.
That being said, even when Hibs let Hearts back into the Boxing Day derby clash, although the hosts had their chances they didn't really look like troubling their rivals.
The Dons have plenty of firepower to trouble an increasingly nervy Hearts backline and while I don't think it will be emphatic, I think the visitors will leave with the points. Prediction: Aberdeen win