Lovely skill from Gary Mackay-Steven on the wing, killing a high ball stone dead before dancing away from the attentions of John McGinn.

The home fans inside Pittodrie roar their approval.

A promising Hibernian counter attack fizzles out after a slaloming run from Martin Boyle as he eases past a couple of Aberdeen challenges like a veteran downhill skier but his control lets him down at the crucial moment.

Hibernian defender Efe Ambrose, sporting a pair of gloves in the frozen north east this lunchtime, trots over to take a throw-in, ensuring he doesn't take a tumble in the process.

Neil Lennon's Hibs side have made a decent start, forcing an early corner but then make a hash of the set piece and the Dons repel the danger.

Hibernian get us under way at a frosty Pittodrie. Brrrrrr.

Hibs head coach Neil Lennon on BBC Radio Scotland: "It is another cracking game for us, and makes all the hard work from last season worthwhile, in a week like this. People say it is a very difficult week, and it is, but these are the games the players relish.

"I am looking for a similar kind of performance but hopefully a bit more rub of the green than we had on Wednesday [against Rangers].

"Brandon Barker was outstanding on Wednesday and hopefully he can carry that on today. Aberdeen are a lot more solid and difficult to break down, but we have good width in the team."

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland

Bitterly cold at Pittodrie but an intriguing game in prospect between two teams who believe they’re capable of being the second-best in Scotland. Neil Lennon has been talking up his side’s performances, but curiously they’ve only won one of their last five matches.

"His [Kari Arnason's] partner's waters broke through the night and we weren't expecting that at all," says Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes.

"Neither was she probably! The baby isn't due until the first week in January. That's something we didn't anticipate and have to react to. Kari would've played today; we've been really pleased with how he's been doing in the last couple of games."

Image source, SNS

Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen defender on BBC Sportsound

Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound: "It’s two teams in decent form, although the results for Hibs haven’t been there in the past couple of games. But they’ve certainly put in decent performances against good opposition.

"I think there’s a vibrancy from Hibs and we’ve had that over the last few years. The last couple of results have helped make everybody feel better about themselves and a bit more positive about things. Where we are in the league is where we’d expect to be, or there or thereabouts.

"We’ve got work to do to stay there. The best way to stay where we are and keep moving up the league is by beating good teams like Hibs, especially at home."

Image source, SNS

Sportsound is Open All Mics from across the Scottish Premiership and Championship this afternoon.

Listen on 92-95FM or click the link.

Image source, bbc

A few stats for you to chew over with your bacon roll and cuppa...

• Aberdeen are enjoying an eight-match unbeaten run over Hibernian and have not conceded against Hibs in any of their previous seven league encounters
• Hibernian's last three top-flight victories over Aberdeen have all come on the road, last beating the Dons in May 2012 at Pittodrie
• Hibs are unbeaten away from home in this season's Premiership

Outwith Celtic, Hibernian are playing the best football in the Scottish Premiership, according to Neil Lennon.

"If Rangers are the second-best team in the country, where are we?" said the Northern Irishman.

"We have not been dominated in any game other than Celtic and that is understandable. We are six points behind them [Rangers] which is nothing. There is so much football to go.

"Some of the football we have played this season has been outstanding. We were absolutely breathtaking in the second half on Wednesday."

Image source, SNS

What do you think? Who has impressed the most this season?

Use #bbcsportscot or visit our Facebook page to offer your view.

Both sides make two changes from midweek.

Gary Mackay-Steven, who scored the only goal when the sides met at Easter Road in October, is back in the Dons starting line-up, along with Andrew Considine.

Greg Stewart drops to the bench and Iceland defender Kari Arnason is absent, after his wife went into labour overnight.

Hibs winger Brandon Barker is in after a blistering second half showing in the loss to Rangers, with midfielder enforcer Marvin Bartley also returning.

It looks like Efe Ambrose is moving to right-back and Simon Murray is preferred to Anthony Stokes up front, as the Irishman is among the replacements, where he is joined by Oli Shaw.

Danny Swanson, who hasn't played since October, is on the visitors' bench too.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes: "I think Hibs have certainly added to the league this year. I think Neil's got them going well.

"I think it's clear from what they're saying and what they believe at Hibs, is that they think they can be the next-best team to Celtic this season.

"There is nothing wrong with Hibs having that confidence and belief. I am sure it comes from the manager and their performances would give them every right to suggest that."

Image source, SNS

Here's how the Scottish Premiership top-six looks ahead of today's matches.

Image source, BBC Sport

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland at Pittodrie

"Couple of changes to Dons team with Andrew Considine and Gary Mackay-Steven in for Greg Stewart and Kari Arnason, whose partner’s waters broke overnight. As good an excuse as any for missing out. Meant a late reshuffle for Derek McInnes."