Why next five games are critical for Aberdeen

"A home game against Livingston in early September would not normally create nerves and anticipation at Aberdeen. But as Jimmy Thelin's side prepare to return to league action, anyone with an interest in the club is desperate to see how they respond after a winless start. Three games, three defeats, and no goals is a poor beginning, even with tough games away to Heart of Midlothian and at home to Celtic factored in."

"The signings of Kevin Nisbet, Stuart Armstrong, and Bologna winger Jesper Karlsson on loan at the end of the transfer window have brightened the mood since the defeat by Falkirk. But they also mean it is now time to deliver. Livingston, Motherwell in the League Cup, Dundee United, Motherwell in the Premiership, and Dundee are Aberdeen's next five domestic fixtures. They already feel like must-win games for Thelin, despite his status as a well-liked Scottish Cup winning-manager."

"Only now-relegated Ross County and St Johnstone have scored fewer goals than Aberdeen in the Premiership since the start of the last campaign, discounting Falkirk and Livingston, who have played three top-flight games in that time. Unsurprisingly then, they also rank very low for conversion rate and the number of big chances they score. That lack of a killer touch has been compounded by the fact they are also down the Premiership rankings when it comes to expected goals and crosses."

Aberdeen have lost their opening three Premiership matches without scoring and have managed only five league wins in 30 matches since November 2024. New signings Kevin Nisbet, Stuart Armstrong and Jesper Karlsson on loan have raised expectations and increase pressure to produce results. The next five domestic fixtures — Livingston, Motherwell (League Cup), Dundee United, Motherwell (Premiership) and Dundee — are seen as must-win opportunities. The league form over the past 10 months has featured sloppy conceded goals, a lack of creativity in the final third, low conversion and big-chance numbers, and poor expected-goals and crossing rates.

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