There was a time when these two were called ‘New Farm’.
While Aberdeen and Dundee United are currently far from the best teams of the 1980s that disrupted the Glasgow giants’ hold on the game, they are the next best in the league.
Jim Goodwin has lost both of his games against his former club since taking over as United boss, but a win on Sunday would close the gap between third and fourth to three points.
And the momentum is with the hosts. Ten games into the campaign, the Dons are sitting on a spectacular 28 points, two shy of doubling United’s tally.
Aberdeen’s dream is starting to unravel as they look to snap a slump of seven matches without a win. They come into it after losing by seven goals to Hibs and Kilmarnock. The same group of players allowed six of the first seven league games.
Looking dejected, midfield duo Graeme Sheeney and Sievert Heltonne Nielsen have been withdrawn for the last two matches, the latter moving straight to Pittodrie after a full season in Norway.
In contrast, United have been stuffed with beans, losing just once in eight outings.
Sam Dalby delivered the Boxing Day winner at St Johnstone and the big striker leads the Premiership’s scoring charts with nine, while only Rangers and Celtic have conceded fewer goals at home.
Will Ferry is a danger up and down the left and Vico Savelj is becoming more and more dominant in the middle of the park.
