St Johnstone suffered a set-back to their hopes of qualifying for Europe last weekend but they have a chance to put things right on Tuesday night when they host Aberdeen at McDiarmid Park (St Johnstone 11/10, draw 12/5, Aberdeen 12/5 – match prices).
Saints were not at the races on Saturday, as third place Motherwell showed why they are the side chasing down Rangers and Celtic in the Scottish Premier League this season.
Manager Steve Lomas blamed his side’s lack of focus for the heavy home defeat last weekend but has highlighted the Tuesday night game against Aberdeen as a great opportunity to get their domestic campaign back on track.
Saints are now seven points off Motherwell in the table but will be able to narrow the gap if they can get a win over a struggling Aberdeen outfit.
Francisco Sandaza (9/2 first goalscorer) has been a dangerman for the Perth side, scoring six goals in the SPL so far this season.
The 27-year-old Spaniard, has notched up eight goals in all competitions and the visitors will have to be wary of the former Brighton striker on Tuesday night.
As for the Dons the alarm bells will be ringing among their fans as they continue to search for that elusive win.
Aberdeen are level on points with bottom of the table Dunfermline, after failing to secure a victory in their last six games.
Pressure is starting to mount on former Scotland manager Craig Brown, who could be forgiven for wondering why he left high-flying Motherwell in a controversial move last season.
The club’s problems have really started from the back as they have only kept one clean sheet in their last 11 outings in all competitions.
They will need to start tightening things up in defence if they want to start climbing the table north of the border and avoid a battle at the bottom with the likes of Dunfermline, Hibernian and Inverness CT.
Aberdeen do have threats of their own upfront, with New Zealander Rory Fallon (8/1 first goalscorer) and Englishman Scott Vernon both having the ability to unlock defences and they may well fancy their chances against a side who shipped in three goals on the weekend.
Both teams will be desperate to pick up the three points for different reasons as they compete at different ends of the SPL table.
Despite being outclassed in their last outing Lomas should get his side fully focused on this game on Tuesday and it’s hard to see the home team not beating the lacklustre Dons, who may need to look in the January transfer market if they are to get themselves out of trouble this season.
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