Hearts vs Aberdeen

Hearts are unbeaten in their last seven Premiership matches and sit third in the division behind Celtic and Rangers. For Robbie Neilson it's been all about ...

[ Robbie Neilson](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/all-about/robbie-neilson) it's been all about consistency and keeping his top man, Lawrence Shankland, fit and firing and scoring the goals to maintain momentum to ensure they emulate last season's finish in the league. Alfie Bavidge is on the bench. They still must overthrow Livingston in fourth and attempt to overcome the Jambos' six point lead ahead of them, but the best place to start is at Tynecastle this evening. There's just a spot on the bench for new boy Yutaro Oda. [Aberdeen](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/all-about/aberdeen-fc), meanwhile, have been hit and miss at times this season with boss [Jim Goodwin](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/all-about/jim-goodwin) recently blasting them for their Kilmarnock defeat and insisting it's the worst he's ever watched from his players. [Premiership](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/all-about/scottish-premiership) matches and sit third in the division behind Celtic and Rangers.

Hearts thrash woeful Aberdeen at Tynecastle to leave Jim Goodwin's side with just one win in their last eight games.

- Squad number17Player nameForrestAverage rating - Squad number9Player nameShanklandAverage rating - Squad number14Player nameDevlinAverage rating - Squad number15Player nameRowlesAverage rating - Squad number2Player nameSmithAverage rating Attempt blocked. Hearts manager Robbie Neilson: "We're obviously delighted with the final outcome. It could, and perhaps should, have been more. The second half continued in much the same vein, with Hearts creating chances at will. Hearts were gifted a penalty when Liam Scales clearly handballed an optimistic cross. From there though, it was all downhill for Aberdeen. Ylber Ramadani was given the freedom of Tyncecastle and forced a decent save from Zander Clark from outside the box.

Josh Ginnelly's double, a Michael Smith strike, Lawrence Shankland's penalty and Cammy Devlin's first goal at Tynecastle afforded Hearts their biggest ...

Shankland struck a post shortly after the restart and the fifth arrived before long. Shankland composed himself to send Lewis the wrong way from the spot. Ylber Ramadani had the game’s first chance, a penetrating run and shot which Hearts goalkeeper Zander Clark pushed away for a corner. Six minutes from the interval it was three thanks to Shankland’s penalty. In truth, this game was over as a contest after about 30 minutes With Livingston inactive, the Edinburgh club now hold a seven-point advantage in the Premiership’s third spot.

Aberdeen trail Hearts by six points in the league table and cannot afford to lose tonight if they want to claim that coveted 3rd spot.

[Jim Goodwin](https://www.aberdeenlive.news/all-about/jim-goodwin) has confirmed that he had a number of fitness concerns regarding several players ahead of the match, and has tried to pick the strongest side possible with what is at his disposal for the game against the Jambos. In a defensive reshuffle, Ross McCrorie will partner Liam Scales in central defence, with Matty Kennedy and Hayden Coulson as full backs on either side. [Hearts v Aberdeen: TV Channel, live stream, referee and more as Dons look to bounce back from Hampden cup disappointment](https://www.aberdeenlive.news/sport/football/hearts-v-aberdeen-tv-channel-8034383) [Leighton Clarkson drops transfer hint as January speculation continues](https://www.aberdeenlive.news/sport/football/leighton-clarkson-drops-transfer-hint-8031062) [Player ratings as Aberdeen exit Viaplay Cup with 2-1 Rangers defeat at Hampden](https://www.aberdeenlive.news/sport/football/player-ratings-aberdeen-exit-viaplay-8032624) [VAR talking points as Anthony Stewart sees red and Bojan Miovski strike chalked off in Aberdeen Viaplay Cup exit](https://www.aberdeenlive.news/sport/football/var-talking-points-anthony-stewart-8033120) [Chris Sutton weighs in on Ryan Kent row as he expects 'retrospective ban' for punch on Aberdeen's Liam Scales](https://www.aberdeenlive.news/sport/football/chris-sutton-weighs-ryan-kent-8033867) Graeme Shinnie, Ylber Ramadani and Leighton Clarkson make up a three man midfield, and will look to gain control in the middle third of the pitch, which could prove pivotal to the outcome of the game. [Joe Lewis](https://www.aberdeenlive.news/all-about/joe-lewis) comes in for the injured [Kelle Roos ](https://www.aberdeenlive.news/all-about/kelle-roos)who picked up a knock at the national stadium last Sunday, and is set to make first competitive appearance for the club since the final game of last season. [Luis Duk Lopes ](https://www.aberdeenlive.news/all-about/luis-duk-lopes)was not expected to make the line-up, but the talismanic forward been declared fit to play, with Jonny Hayes coming in for the suspended Anthony Stewart as the only other change to the side from Sunday's loss to Rangers.