'There are still causes for concern...' - Journalists' predictions for Hibs v Aberdeen

Paul Hanlon in action at Pittodrie during the last meeting between Aberdeen and Hibs

Anthony Brown

Hibs have lost one game in ten, while Aberdeen have lost one in nine. These two teams are generally in the habit of picking up points at present, aside from Hibs’ aberration in midweek.

If Hibs can maintain their focus, they are perfectly capable of taking at least a point this weekend, even allowing for the fact that Aberdeen look like the side likeliest to finish as best of the rest behind the Old Firm. Prediction: Draw

Craig Fowler

It's hard to know what to make of Jack Ross' side at the moment. Overall results have been positive, especially in light of what occurred throughout the campaign prior to his arrival, but there's still a few causes for concern.

They haven't played well in either away game, at St Mirren and Wednesday evening's match against Ross County, while neither the Motherwell nor Kilmarnock home encounters saw Hibs on top for 90 minutes, even if they did play really well in stretches in both matches.

With this in mind it's probably the worst time to play Derek McInnes' Aberdeen, who don't even have to play well to consistently get results. Prediction: Aberdeen win

Neil McGlade

Hibs suffered their first loss of Jack Ross’ tenure on Wednesday night so it will be interesting to see how his players respond.

The defeat against Ross County was a sore one to take, Hibs having, not for the first time this season, taken the lead only to come away without all three points.

I expect Ross to make changes to his starting XI, not least the goalkeeping position following Chris Maxwell’s fault in County’s equaliser. Whether he opts for Marciano or Bogdan, only time will tell.

Aberdeen showed terrific character to recover from two goals down to earn a draw against Rangers in midweek and will be in buoyant mood ahead of their visit to the capital. Prediction: Draw.

Patrick McPartlin

There's likely to be a big crowd in for this fixture, which should help Hibs, and you'd imagine having watched his side throw away a two-goal lead against Kilmarnock and contrive to lose at Ross County after taking the lead that Jack Ross will make some tweaks in terms of tactics or personnel.

Aberdeen have their own injury worries, as evidenced by their line-up against Rangers in midweek but there's still plenty of quality available to Derek McInnes.

Hibs should have beaten Aberdeen last time out at Pittodrie - even with Christian Doidge hitting the back of the net more than the 'keeper these days, I don't think either team will come out on top in what should be an enthralling battle. Prediction: Score draw

Joel Sked

This is one of the most intriguing matches of the weekend in the SPFL. Jack Ross is someone whom Aberdeen fans were quite keen to see replace Derek McInnes.

The Dons boss has come in for plenty of criticism this season, mainly for the style of play, but he has the team lying third and they have suffered just one defeat in their last nine, and come into this match buoyed by coming back from 2-0 down to draw with Rangers midweek.

Hibs, by all accounts, underperformed at Ross County bringing doubts about the side's steeliness to back to the surface. They will need to show battling qualities against the men from the north and it is the first real test of Ross' early managerial stint at Easter Road. Prediction: Draw