Predicted Aberdeen XI for Hearts in third place showdown as Duk and Clarkson's fitness in doubt
dailyrecord.co.ukJim Goodwin takes his Aberdeen side to Edinburgh on Wednesday night knowing a defeat against Hearts could see their hopes of finishing third all but dashed for another season.The battle of the best of the rest has been tight for all of this campaign, however Robbie Neilson's side has managed to open a gap on the Dons and Livingston since the World Cup break.
A win for the Pittodrie men means they will be just three points behind the Jambos. Goodwin will have to pick his team up after their extra-time loss to Rangers in the Viaplay Cup semi-final at Hampden on Sunday.Aberdeen will be without captain Anthony Stewart for the trip to the capital after he was shown a straight red for a reckless challenge on Rangers winger Fashion Sakala.
It will force Goodwin to shuffle his pack and maybe formation as well due to the lack of cover in the centre back position.A number of players hobbled off during the semi-final on Sunday, but Goodwin did not reveal in his pre-match press conference that his side had any new injury worries.
This will be music to fans ears especially after Duk was taken off and replaced by Jonny Hayes at the weekend.Here's the Record Sport predicted line-up for the crunch match.When Stewart was last suspended Goodwin went to 3-5-2 formation against Kilmarnock with Jack MacKenzie slotting in beside Liam Scales and Ross McCrorie.
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