Aberdeen will take on Chikhura Sachkhere tonight in their Europa League second qualifying round second leg.
The game is currently locked at 1-1 following the tie in Georgia. Derek McInnes’ side now have the away goal advantage at Pittodrie thanks to a Sam Cosgrove penalty.
Cosgrove has given Aberdeen the away advantage over Chikhura. (Photo by Scott Baxter/Getty Images)
McInnes will be missing a couple of players though, particularly in defence.
Here’s what we think Aberdeen’s starting XI will look like.
The starting XI
In goals will be captain Joe Lewis. At right-back will be Shay Logan and on the opposite side will be Greg Leigh. McInnes told the Daily Record that Leigh’s place in the team hinges on how he reacts to this week’s training.
Leigh should be fit. (Photo by Angelo Blankespoor/Soccrates/Getty Images)
He also confirmed to the Record he’ll be without centre-backs Ash Taylor and Mikey Devlin. This means that Andy Considine will be a makeshift centre-back for the night alongside Scott McKenna.
Sitting in front of the back four will be new signing Funso Ojo, who made a decent debut last week in Georgia. Lewis Ferguson and Craig Bryson will be expected to do the leg work in midfield. If he starts ahead of Jon Gallagher, it’ll be Bryson’s Pittodrie debut.
On the flanks will be Niall McGinn and Ryan Hedges. They’ll look to provide service to Sam Cosgrove, who has scored three in three games so far this term.
McGinn will be expected to deliver again. (Photo by Scott Baxter/Getty Images)
That’s how we think the Dons will start the match. There were plenty of position changes throughout the match in Georgia last week, with the likes of Hedges being moved to full-back.
Don’t be surprised to see similar if Aberdeen need to chase this game at some stage. Here’s our starting XI in list form.