Hearts' hangover following their late title failure in May looks set to continue when they travel to a dangerous Aberdeen on the opening weekend of the new Scottish Premiership season on Saturday.
The Jambos have already had a very difficult summer, losing manager Derek McInnes and striker Lawrence Shankland to Rangers, while they embarrassingly lost 6-0 on aggregate in their UEFA Champions League second round qualifier to Sturm Graz.
With morale low, the Dons could take advantage as the hosts, in contrast, have enjoyed the off-season, winning all four of their early group League Cup ties over the summer.
Aberdeen v Hearts Tips Summary
Best Bet - Aberdeen to win @ 11/5
Alternative Bet - Kevin Nisbet to score anytime @ 15/8
Bet Builder - Aberdeen to win, Toyosi Olusanya 2+ shots & Over 2.5 goals @ 5/1
Aberdeen v Hearts Prediction
Best Bet: Aberdeen to win @ 11/5
Early-season games can often bring surprise results as teams continue to adjust to changes made over the summer and Hearts, despite nearly winning the title last term, look vulnerable when they go to Pittodrie.
After leading the way at the top of the table for much of 2025/26, Hearts were eventually overhauled by Celtic on the most dramatic of final days in the Scottish Premiership.
To compound matters, the man who nearly made history has left for Ibrox and taken with him captain Shankland, who plundered 20 goals in all competitions last season.
Hearts now have relative unknown Wouter Vrancken in charge and things have not begun well for the new coach.
His side have been totally outclassed in Europe, losing 6-0 on aggregate to an average Sturm Graz side this month, so they approach the league-opener at Aberdeen in a bit of a sorry state.
In contrast, Aberdeen have had a much better time of things of late.
After managing to finish ninth in a difficult campaign and surviving the relegation rounds towards the end of last season, boss Stephen Robinson, who was brought in in March, has had a full summer to try and improve things at Pittodrie.
And the signs have been good. Four wins from four in the League Cup saw them top Group A as victories over Brora Rangers (2-0) Queens Park (2-1), Queen of the South (4-1) and Kelty Hearts (3-0) eased them into the knockout stage.
A tally of 11 goals from those competitive outings shows a side in decent attacking nick.
With Kevin Nisbet, in particular, in fine form, notching six times, the Dons can deepen the gloom at Hearts by kicking off their Premiership campaign with an eye-catching win.
Alternative Bet: Kevin Nisbet to score anytime @ 15/8
Nisbet leaps off the page as a goalscorer pick for this Pittodrie showdown as the Aberdeen frontman has been in red-hot form in the League Cup.
Nisbet has helped himself to six goals, including a hat-trick in the big win over QotS, and looks sharp enough to shoot down a Hearts defence that was abysmal in their UEFA Champions League qualifier.
Hearts followed up the 4-0 away defeat to Sturm Graz with a 2-0 home loss and Nisbet can take advantage of their current defensive woes with at least one goal on Saturday.
Aberdeen v Hearts Bet Builder
Aberdeen to win
Toyosi Olusanya 2+ shots
Over 2.5 goals
Pays @ 5/1
Aberdeen to take an opening-weekend win is the first suggested leg for the Bet Builder, with Toyosi Olusanya among the home players tipped to shine.
Following a fairly successful loan spell in the second half of last season, former Wimbledon, Middlesbrough and St Mirren winger Olusanya has looked good in the early League Cup games, scoring twice in four games.
It is therefore not too much of a stretch to see the 28-year-old having at least two shots against Hearts.
Backing at least three goals is also advised.
There have been over 2.5 goals in each of the Dons' last three outings, while on top of Hearts' disastrous 4-0 defeat at Sturm Graz, three of their four summer friendly games have also produced at least three goals.
Key Match Stats
Hearts finished second last season, only being edged out in the title race by Celtic on the final day
Aberdeen finished ninth in the table
The Dons have won six of their eight summer matches, a run which includes four League Cup victories
Including friendlies, Hearts have won three and lost three this summer
In the last four H2H games, Aberdeen have won two and Hearts have won two
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
