Can Aberdeen prolong race or will Celtic show class?

Scottish Premiership: Aberdeen v Celtic

Venue: Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen Date: Wednesday, 4 October Time: 20:00 GMT

Coverage: Listen to Sportsound commentary on BBC Sounds and follow live on the BBC Sport website & app; highlights on Sportscene on BBC One Scotland at 22:40

Whether or not the Scottish Premiership has a genuine title race may well depend on Wednesday's result at Pittodrie.

Having been neck-and-neck with Celtic for the first 11 fixtures - which included a 2-2 draw in their first head-to-head in Glasgow - Jimmy Thelin's side have slipped four points behind as they prepare to meet the reigning champions again.

While Celtic have recorded another six straight league wins since then, Aberdeen have stumbled with a defeat and two draws, and also suffered a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Brendan Rodgers' side in the League Cup semi-final.

With Rangers a further seven points behind Aberdeen, another Celtic win would put Rodgers' side well on their way to a fourth consecutive title.

Thelin hopes for 'big step forward'

Thelin is standing by his "we take it game by game" philosophy, is not getting caught up in the significance of the game being placed on it by others, and is just glad to be back at Pittodrie after three trips away from home.

Defeat by St Mirren in Paisley was followed by draws in Edinburgh against Hibernian and Hearts in the space of eight gruelling days.

"It was tough with travelling last week and tough games, so it is nice to play in front of our supporters at home and use this atmosphere to go about with a lot of energy and a strong belief in what we can do," the Swede said.

Thelin was not placing too much importance on the semi-final defeat.

"I think it is going to be two different games," he said. "I think you should never stay in the past when you are in this business.

"The thing you can do is to develop your own ideas, what we want to create here, our identity, how we want to be stronger, because we know we have things to improve, of course, and that has been our focus from day one - that hasn't changed.

"I hope tomorrow we are going to see a big step forward."

Thelin's done 'fantastic job' - Rodgers

Rodgers remains impressed by the "fantastic job" Thelin has done at Pittodrie despite Aberdeen's recent stumbles.

"It is always a challenge going to Pittodrie and obviously they've done very well this season," he said. "They are very structured in how they play, very clear in their process in how they want to work, so we expect a really tough game."

With a fully-fit squad from which to choose, Rodgers is likely to rotate again even though he "would have absolutely no hesitation in starting the same team" that thumped Ross County 5-0 on Saturday, despite showing six changes to the XI.

"The boys at the weekend were absolutely superb - the attitude, energy, how they pressed, how they attacked the game," he said.

"However, we always have to plan for the proximity of the games. I had in my mind what the Aberdeen team was going to be over the weekend.

"But it's always nice whenever players come in and perform and really confirm their qualities."

Liverpool show Dons the way - Robson

Stopping Callum McGregor (left) controlling midfield will be crucial, says Barry Robson

Former Aberdeen manager Barry Robson, who also played for Celtic, believes the Dons need to follow the example of bravery and aggression shown on Sunday by Arne Slot's Liverpool if they are to win on Wednesday.

"You can't just go and open up and have a go against Celtic because of the quality they've got," Robson told BBC Scotland. "It's about getting the balance right: when to play, when to press, when to come off the game.

"Take the Liverpool game against Man City at the weekend there. It was the classic way of doing things.

"Liverpool pressed really well at times, they were so aggressive. At times they came off the game and, at times, they played. That's what you need to get right - you need to get the balance of the whole thing right."

Robson knows that is easier said that done, exemplified by Celtic's 6-0 thrashing of Aberdeen in the League Cup semi-final at Hampden.

"It's different to the two previous games," he suggests. "Up at Pittodrie, it's a lot more enclosed, you can get a bit closer to them and disrupt the game a bit more. It's got a different feel to it, with the fans behind you on your home ground."

Stopping midfield duo Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate is key to containing Celtic as a whole, suggests Robson.

"You've got to try to flood the middle of the pitch," he said. "They’re so creative in there. You've got to counter-press well - any time you give the ball away, you've got to react quickly. You've got to get it back.

"You can't let McGregor and Hatate enjoy the game. You’ve got to make sure you snap them out of their rhythm. And make sure you pass the ball forward quickly.

"That means punching balls into strikers and wide players and letting them go to try to hit Celtic. It's just about being brave when you can."