Postpublished at 15:21 GMT 23 November
Aberdeen 0-0 Hearts
The pace is blistering and there are a few hefty challenges going in.
Aberdeen with a corner now...
Image source, SNSSummary
Keskinen flashes in only goal for Aberdeen
Leaders Hearts suffer first league defeat & stay four clear having played game more
Have your say on the action
Postpublished at 15:21 GMT 23 November
Image source, SNS'Got to score'published at 15:20 GMT 23 November
Aberdeen 0-0 Hearts
Willie Miller
Former Scotland captain on BBC SportsoundHarry Milne has got to score.
I thought he had done enough to hit the back of the net.
HITS THE WOODWORKpublished at 15:20 GMT 23 November
Aberdeen 0-0 Hearts
Claudio Braga has a shot blocked and an Aberdeen player then inadvertently tees up Harry Milne for a pop at goal.
The rising effort has Dmitar Mitov beaten but clips the crossbar.
Postpublished at 15:16 GMT 23 November
Aberdeen 0-0 Hearts
Claudio Braga leads a Hearts break but takes too long to try to release Pierre Landry Kabore and his eventual pass is cut out.
Postpublished at 15:12 GMT 23 November
Aberdeen 0-0 Hearts
Dante Polvara upends Cammy Devlin and from the resulting free-kick Stuart Findlay shoots inches wide.
There were several Hearts players in offside positions, although it's not clear if Findlay was among them.
Postpublished at 15:08 GMT 23 November
Aberdeen 0-0 Hearts
Outrage spills from the home stands as a wild challenge from Frankie Kent goes unpunished.
The Hearts defender goes right through the back of Marko Lazetic, right under the nose of referee David Dickinson, who doesn't even blink.
'Disappointing finish'published at 15:05 GMT 23 November
Aberdeen 0-0 Hearts
Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen captain on BBC SportsoundHe'll be disappointed with the end product there.
It was never going to trouble the Hearts keeper.
Postpublished at 15:04 GMT 23 November
Aberdeen 0-0 Hearts
A bright counter-attack from Aberdeen ends with Dylan Lobban having a pop with his weaker left foot. A comfortable stop for Alexander Schwolow.
Postpublished at 15:02 GMT 23 November
Aberdeen 0-0 Hearts
Pierre Landry Kabore is steaming forward for Hearts but Jack Milne sticks with him and manages to halt the attack right on the edge of the penalty box.
KICK-OFFpublished at 15:01 GMT 23 November
Aberdeen 0-0 Hearts
And away we go.
Postpublished at 15:00 GMT 23 November
Aberdeen v Hearts (15:00)
A quick look at the goals for column in the table makes for a stark contrast.
Hearts have hit 29 in 12 games.
Lawrence Shankland has seven of those, which is just one fewer than Aberdeen have managed as a team.
Postpublished at 14:58 GMT 23 November
Aberdeen v Hearts (15:00)
Hailstones sheeting down just in time for kick-off.
Those players in short sleeves may be regretting the fashion choice.
Image source, SNSMind the gappublished at 14:56 GMT 23 November
Aberdeen v Hearts (15:00)
Tyrone Smith
BBC Scotland at PittodrieHearts arrive in Aberdeen a massive 19 points ahead of their hosts, although they don’t have history on their side having not won at Pittodrie since 2016 - when Derek McInnes was in the home dugout.
One defeat in their past five league games would suggest the Dons are a team starting to turn things round. That theory will certainly be put to the test today.
Stay or go for Gordon?published at 14:53 GMT 23 November
Aberdeen v Hearts (15:00)
Craig Gordon was one the Scotland heroes at Hampden on Tuesday, making a few good saves in that epic win against Denmark.
The 42-year-old is on the Hearts bench again today, providing cover for Alexander Schwolow, who has been impressive between the sticks.
Will Gordon seek a move in January to keep in shape for the World Cup next summer? Would Hearts allow him to leave?
Image source, SNSPostpublished at 14:50 GMT 23 November
Aberdeen v Hearts (15:00)
These two met at Tynecastle on the opening Monday of the Premiership season, with Hearts enjoying a 2-0 victory.
There was an own goal from Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie before Stuart Findlay knocked in the second.
Image source, SNS'We're hoping it's nothing serious' - McInnes on Shanklandpublished at 14:48 GMT 23 November
Aberdeen v Hearts (15:00)
Hearts manager Derek McInnes told BBC Scotland: "Lawrence trained as normal on Friday but, because of the conditions, we were training on Astro. It was a bit slippery, and he felt a tweak in his calf. He didn't think too much of it, but when he came in, he wasn't able to train yesterday.
"We're hoping it's nothing serious. We'll get it scanned tomorrow morning. I hate getting injuries at any time, but I hate training ground injuries, it's the bane of our lives as managers.
"What a brilliant night on Tuesday for everyone involved, but especially Lawrence and Craig. He was disappointed not to be involved before, but thankfully, he was for the November camp. I was itching for Lawrence to get on and get that all-important goal."
Image source, SNSImage caption, Hearts players warming up at Pittodrie
Thelin wants Dons on front footpublished at 14:45 GMT 23 November
Aberdeen v Hearts (15:00)
Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin told BBC Scotland: "We always try and find the right balance. We want to create some more attacking opportunities today. It's important at home, to create more chances to try and win the game against a really good opponent.
"Now the whole squad is near enough ready to play. We had some injuries before, they've had the time to recover, and now they're ready.
"I think what we've improved in is managing the 50-50 duels, the basic things you need to do to win games are getting better and better."
Image source, SNSImage caption, Alexander Jensen returns to the Aberdeen XI
Postpublished at 14:42 GMT 23 November
Aberdeen v Hearts (15:00)
While home form has been a problem for Aberdeen this season, their record against Hearts makes for much, much better reading.
The Dons are unbeaten in their past 13 league meetings with Hearts at Pittodrie, winning 10 of those.
Postpublished at 14:40 GMT 23 November
Aberdeen v Hearts (15:00)
Aberdeen have managed just one home win all season, but recent form has picked up with only one defeat in their past five league outings.
Postpublished at 14:39 GMT 23 November
Aberdeen v Hearts (15:00)
Hearts remain unbeaten in the Premiership but momentum has slowed a bit in recent weeks with two draws in their past three outings.
It was all a bit frantic in the 1-1 at home to Dundee United last time out, with just two efforts on target.
At a glance
Hearts drop points for the third time in four games as title charge falters
Keskinen goal gives Aberdeen rare home win - their second in 10 games
Kent, Milne and Magnusson all spurn chances for leaders
Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts' stuttering form continued as they suffered their first league defeat of the season, Topi Keskinen's goal giving Aberdeen a surprise victory at Pittodrie.
Since beating Celtic, Derek McInnes' side have dropped points in three of their four games and the Tynecastle side's nascent title charge seems to have lost some of its propulsion.
Their nine-point lead is now down to four over Celtic, having played a game more.
While it was Hearts who had the better chances, all of them were spurned and instead it was Keskinen who clinically finished into the bottom corner in the 39th minute against the run of play.
Both sides were without their star men - Aberdeen missing Jesper Karlsson and Hearts without Lawrence Shankland - and it initially affected the hosts' far more.
They struggled to create, while Hearts passed up opportunities when Frankie Kent headed straight at the keeper from a few yards out, and Harry Milne hit the crossbar from close range.
When Aberdeen got their only clear-cut chance, they took it. Kent struggled to clear a ball forward which allowed Keskinen the chance to lash past Alexander Schwolow.
Hearts continued to have moments in the second-half. Tomas Magnusson placed a header straight at Dimitar Mitov, and Claudio Braga was denied by the goalkeeper when he looked certain to score.
There was no way to goal though, meaning Hearts haven't won in 13 visits to Pittodrie, dating back to 2016.
No panic from McInnes but is Hearts' form a worry?
- Published20 hours ago
Get Hearts news notifications in the BBC Sport app
- Published18 June 2023
Analysis: Pittodrie hoodoo haunts out-of-sorts Hearts
If ever there was a time to end a rotten record that now stretches to almost a decade, it was against a barren Aberdeen side that was missing its best player.
The Pittodrie team's creativity has come almost exclusively through Sweden international Karlsson, but he was missing for personal reasons today in news that sank the hearts of home fans.
Jimmy Thelin's side were able to create just two chances throughout - a left-footed shot from Dylan Lobban that Schwolow was fully behind, and the goal.
As for Hearts, it was a day of missed chances. An xG of 1.71 compared to Aberdeen's 0.45 tells you that they enjoyed their fair chunk of opportunities.
But without their top scorer Shankland, and a brand new strike partnership of Pierre Landry Kabore and Braga that needed time to gel, they were blunt.
Against them, it was an all-action performance from Mats Knoester, and a coming-of-age performance from Jack Milne.
The former won more tackles than anyone else, and made 16 clearances, more than double of any of his team-mates.
Are Hearts falling apart again, as the home fans goaded their visitors by singing?
Judging from the chances created, no. On another day, they might well have been walking away with all three points given the chances created.
This was their first lost in 16 games under Derek McInnes - a penalty shoot-out League Cup loss aside - but that's just five points from the last 12 available.
They've certainly hit a bump in the road, but will it tip the cart over or can they re-right themselves in time for a busy festive period?
What's next?
Aberdeen are in European action against Armenian side Noah on Thursday (20:00 GMT) before travelling to visit Livingston next Sunday (15:00).
Hearts visit Motherwell on Saturday in league action (15:00), with the chance to re-establish their seven-point lead before Celtic play the following day.
Player of the match
Number: 81 T. Keskinen
Average rating 8.04
Number: 81 T. Keskinen
Average Rating: 8.04Number: 22 J. Milne
Average Rating: 7.76Number: 16 S. Armstrong
Average Rating: 7.68Number: 2 N. Devlin
Average Rating: 7.53Number: 5 M. Knoester
Average Rating: 7.18Number: 1 D. Mitov
Average Rating: 7.14Number: 7 A. Aouchiche
Average Rating: 7.13Number: 38 D. Lobban
Average Rating: 7.08Number: 27 M. Lazetić
Average Rating: 7.02Number: 10 L. Clarkson
Average Rating: 7.00Number: 8 D. Polvara
Average Rating: 6.93Number: 11 N. Milanović
Average Rating: 6.88Number: 28 A. Jensen
Average Rating: 6.87Number: 15 K. Nisbet
Average Rating: 6.77Number: 21 G. Molloy
Average Rating: 6.70Number: 4 G. Shinnie
Average Rating: 6.41Number: 14 C. Devlin
Average Rating: 4.77Number: 25 A. Schwolow
Average Rating: 4.11Number: 21 J. Wilson
Average Rating: 4.10Number: 18 H. Milne
Average Rating: 3.91Number: 19 S. Findlay
Average Rating: 3.85Number: 89 A. Kyziridis
Average Rating: 3.56Number: 2 F. Kent
Average Rating: 3.55Number: 22 T. Magnússon
Average Rating: 3.49Number: 12 C. Borchgrevink
Average Rating: 3.46Number: 11 P. Kaboré
Average Rating: 3.44Number: 10 Cláudio Braga
Average Rating: 3.38Number: 15 M. Steinwender
Average Rating: 3.33Number: 31 O. McEntee
Average Rating: 3.32Number: 5 J. McCart
Average Rating: 3.19Number: 16 B. Spittal
Average Rating: 3.16Number: 17 A. Forrest
Average Rating: 2.87After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
Related topics
Scottish Premiership Scores & Fixtures
Scottish Premiership Table
On Sunday 23rd November
Skip to table keyMatch Participants:
- Hearts, Position 1, Points 30
- Aberdeen, Position 8, Points 14
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 29 | 11 | 18 | 30 |
| |
| 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 8 | 13 | 26 |
| |
| 13 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 23 | 14 | 9 | 21 |
| |
| 12 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 17 | 11 | 6 | 21 |
| |
| 13 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 19 | 21 | -2 | 19 |
| |
| 12 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 18 |
| |
| 12 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 18 | 20 | -2 | 14 |
| |
| 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 12 | -3 | 14 |
| |
| 12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 16 | -8 | 10 |
| |
| 13 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 14 | 25 | -11 | 10 |
| |
| 13 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 24 | -15 | 9 |
| |
| 13 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 15 | 25 | -10 | 8 |
|
Key
- Position 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 : Championship Round
- Position 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 : Relegation Round
Team Lineups
home team, Aberdeen
Manager: Jimmy Thelin
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
Pitch Formation
- 1, Mitov, Goalkeeper
- 2, Devlin, Defender22, Milne, Defender5, Knoester, Defender
- 38, Lobban, Midfielder7, Aouchiche, Midfielder8, Polvara, Midfielder28, Jensen, Midfielder
- 81, Keskinen, Attacking Midfielder16, Armstrong, Attacking Midfielder
- 27, Lazetic, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, D. Mitov
- Number 5, M. Knoester , Yellow Card at 42 minutes
- Number 22, J. Milne
- Number 2, N. Devlin , Captain, Yellow Card at 81 minutes
- Number 28, A. Jensen
- Number 8, D. Polvara , substituted for G. Shinnie at 84 minutes
- Number 7, A. Aouchiche
- Number 38, D. Lobban , substituted for G. Molloy at 81 minutes
- Number 16, S. Armstrong , substituted for L. Clarkson at 81 minutes
- Number 81, T. Keskinen , substituted for N. Milanović at 84 minutes
- Number 27, M. Lazetić , substituted for K. Nisbet at 84 minutes
Substitutes
home team, Aberdeen
- Number 14, K. Bilalović
- Number 77, E. Gyamfi
- Number 29, K. Kjartansson
- Number 11, N. Milanović
- Number 21, G. Molloy , Yellow Card at 89 minutes
- Number 15, K. Nisbet
- Number 10, L. Clarkson
- Number 4, G. Shinnie
- Number 13, N. Suman
away team, Hearts
Manager: Derek McInnes
Formation: 5 - 4 - 1
Pitch Formation
- 25, Schwolow, Goalkeeper
- 31, McEntee, Wing Back15, Steinwender, Defender2, Kent, Defender19, Findlay, Defender18, Milne, Wing Back
- 10, Cláudio Braga, Midfielder22, Magnússon, Midfielder14, Devlin, Midfielder89, Kyziridis, Midfielder
- 11, Kabore, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 25, A. Schwolow
- Number 19, S. Findlay , substituted for J. McCart at 74 minutes
- Number 2, F. Kent
- Number 15, M. Steinwender , Yellow Card at 50 minutes, substituted for B. Spittal at 73 minutes
- Number 18, H. Milne
- Number 31, O. McEntee , substituted for C. Borchgrevink at 73 minutes
- Number 89, A. Kyziridis , Yellow Card at 90 minutes plus 5
- Number 14, C. Devlin , Captain, Yellow Card at 64 minutes
- Number 22, T. Magnússon , substituted for J. Wilson at 86 minutes
- Number 10, Cláudio Braga , Yellow Card at 31 minutes, substituted for A. Forrest at 86 minutes
- Number 11, P. Kaboré
away team, Hearts
- Number 12, C. Borchgrevink
- Number 17, A. Forrest
- Number 1, C. Gordon
- Number 7, E. Kabangu
- Number 29, S. Kerjota
- Number 3, S. Kingsley
- Number 5, J. McCart
- Number 16, B. Spittal
- Number 21, J. Wilson
home team, Aberdeen
Manager: Jimmy Thelin
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
Pitch Formation
- 1, Mitov, Goalkeeper
- 2, Devlin, Defender22, Milne, Defender5, Knoester, Defender
- 38, Lobban, Midfielder7, Aouchiche, Midfielder8, Polvara, Midfielder28, Jensen, Midfielder
- 81, Keskinen, Attacking Midfielder16, Armstrong, Attacking Midfielder
- 27, Lazetic, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, D. Mitov
- Number 5, M. Knoester , Yellow Card at 42 minutes
- Number 22, J. Milne
- Number 2, N. Devlin , Captain, Yellow Card at 81 minutes
- Number 28, A. Jensen
- Number 8, D. Polvara , substituted for G. Shinnie at 84 minutes
- Number 7, A. Aouchiche
- Number 38, D. Lobban , substituted for G. Molloy at 81 minutes
- Number 16, S. Armstrong , substituted for L. Clarkson at 81 minutes
- Number 81, T. Keskinen , substituted for N. Milanović at 84 minutes
- Number 27, M. Lazetić , substituted for K. Nisbet at 84 minutes
Substitutes
- Number 14, K. Bilalović
- Number 77, E. Gyamfi
- Number 29, K. Kjartansson
- Number 11, N. Milanović
- Number 21, G. Molloy , Yellow Card at 89 minutes
- Number 15, K. Nisbet
- Number 10, L. Clarkson
- Number 4, G. Shinnie
- Number 13, N. Suman
away team, Hearts
Manager: Derek McInnes
Formation: 5 - 4 - 1
Pitch Formation
- 25, Schwolow, Goalkeeper
- 31, McEntee, Wing Back15, Steinwender, Defender2, Kent, Defender19, Findlay, Defender18, Milne, Wing Back
- 10, Cláudio Braga, Midfielder22, Magnússon, Midfielder14, Devlin, Midfielder89, Kyziridis, Midfielder
- 11, Kabore, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 25, A. Schwolow
- Number 19, S. Findlay , substituted for J. McCart at 74 minutes
- Number 2, F. Kent
- Number 15, M. Steinwender , Yellow Card at 50 minutes, substituted for B. Spittal at 73 minutes
- Number 18, H. Milne
- Number 31, O. McEntee , substituted for C. Borchgrevink at 73 minutes
- Number 89, A. Kyziridis , Yellow Card at 90 minutes plus 5
- Number 14, C. Devlin , Captain, Yellow Card at 64 minutes
- Number 22, T. Magnússon , substituted for J. Wilson at 86 minutes
- Number 10, Cláudio Braga , Yellow Card at 31 minutes, substituted for A. Forrest at 86 minutes
- Number 11, P. Kaboré
Substitutes
- Number 12, C. Borchgrevink
- Number 17, A. Forrest
- Number 1, C. Gordon
- Number 7, E. Kabangu
- Number 29, S. Kerjota
- Number 3, S. Kingsley
- Number 5, J. McCart
- Number 16, B. Spittal
- Number 21, J. Wilson
Match Officials
- Referee:
- David Dickinson
- Video Assistant Referee:
- Don Robertson
- Assistant Referee 1:
- Calum Spence
- Assistant Referee 2:
- Alastair Taylor
- Fourth Official:
- Dan McFarlane
- Assistant VAR Official:
- Calum Scott
Match Stats
Key, Aberdeen v HeartsBasic Stats
Overall possession
Aberdeen 40%Hearts 60%
Shots
Aberdeen 6Hearts 16Shots on target
Aberdeen 2Hearts 4Total touches inside the opposition box
Aberdeen 10Hearts 27Goalkeeper saves
Aberdeen 4Hearts 1Aerial duels won
Aberdeen 15Hearts 22Fouls committed
Aberdeen 20Hearts 15Corners
Aberdeen 6Hearts 3In-depth match stats
Attack
Shots
Aberdeen 6Hearts 16Shots on target
Aberdeen 2Hearts 4Shots off target
Aberdeen 3Hearts 7Attempts out of box
Aberdeen 3Hearts 3Hit woodwork
Aberdeen 0Hearts 1Total offsides
Aberdeen 0Hearts 3Distribution
Total passes
Aberdeen 319Hearts 487Pass accuracy %
Aberdeen 69.3Hearts 77.6Backward passes
Aberdeen 45Hearts 45Forward passes
Aberdeen 151Hearts 191Total long balls
Aberdeen 65Hearts 55Successful final third passes
Aberdeen 71Hearts 86Total crosses
Aberdeen 15Hearts 17Defence
Total tackles
Aberdeen 22Hearts 25Won tackle %
Aberdeen 68.2Hearts 80Fouls committed
Aberdeen 20Hearts 15Total yellow cards
Aberdeen 3Hearts 4Total clearances
Aberdeen 41Hearts 33Season so far
Scottish Premiership
Key, Aberdeen v Hearts
League position, Aberdeen 8th, Hearts 1stTotal points, Aberdeen 14, Hearts 30
Goals scored
Aberdeen 9Hearts 29Form guide
All competitions
Aberdeen draw
v Motherwell
1
1
Premiership
Hearts draw
v Dundee United
1
1
Premiership
Aberdeen draw
v AEK Larnaca
0
0
UEFA Conference League
Hearts won
v Dundee
4
0
Premiership
Aberdeen won
v Kilmarnock
0
1
Premiership
Hearts draw
v St. Mirren
2
2
Premiership
Aberdeen lose
v Hibernian
1
2
Premiership
Hearts won
v Celtic
3
1
Premiership
Aberdeen lose
v AEK Athens
6
0
UEFA Conference League
Hearts won
v Kilmarnock
0
3
Premiership
Previous meetings
All competitions
Aberdeen and HeartsAberdeen Won 35Hearts Won 48
Played 110
Draw 27
Previous scores
All competitions
Premiership
Hearts 2 , Aberdeen 0 on the 4th of August 2025
Hearts
Aberdeen
4th of August 2025
Scottish Cup
Hearts 1 , Aberdeen 2 on the 19th of April 2025
Hearts
Aberdeen
19th of April 2025
Premiership
Aberdeen 0 , Hearts 0 on the 12th of January 2025
Aberdeen
Hearts
12th of January 2025
- Skip back to previous scores
- Skip back to previous meetings
- Skip back to form guide
- Skip back to season so far
Match Facts
Aberdeen are unbeaten in their last 13 home league meetings with Heart of Midlothian (W10 D3) since a 1-0 defeat in May 2016 under now-Hearts boss Derek McInnes.
Hearts are unbeaten in their last three league meetings with Aberdeen (W1 D2), last going four without losing to the Dons in April 2014.
After a run of 10 Scottish Premiership matches without a victory between May and September (D1 L9), a run that saw them fail to score at all in six consecutive matches, Aberdeen have since lost just one of their last five in the competition (W3 D1) scoring in all five matches.
After winning six consecutive league matches from August to October, Hearts have drawn two of their last three matches in the competition (W1), as many draws as they recorded in their previous 24 in the competition.
Hearts’ Lawrence Shankland, the top scorer in the Scottish Premiership with seven goals, has managed just one fewer goal this term in the competition than opponents Aberdeen have scored as a team (8).