Michael Stewart
Former Scotland midfielder on BBC Sportsound

It's been scrappy stuff at Pittodrie since some early Aberdeen chances, but they have a couple more in quick succession.

Funso Ojo marks his return from injury with a shot from distance that creeps over the crossbar after taking a deflection and, from the corner, Scott McKenna should do better than head wide.

Ross County have been wasteful in the early exchanges. Josh Mullin has put two free-kicks into the box, while the home side have also put a corner into the mix, but the delivery from all three has been poor and hasn't given their big men a chance to test Kilmarnock goalkeeper Laurentiu Branescu.

The home side have also been forced into an early change, with Michael Gardyne hobbling off injured to be replaced by Billy Mckay after just nine minutes.

Hearts are lucky not to be behind as St Johnstone miss an absolute sitter.

Goalkeeper Bobby Zlamal is beaten to the ball outside the box by Michael O'Halloran but, with the goal gaping, the striker shoots straight at covering defender Aaron Hickey on the line.

Saints get a second bite at the cherry but Matty Kennedy's shot is saved by Zlamal racing back to recover.

Aberdeen should be ahead as Lewis Ferguson puts Shay Logan clear and the full-back's low cross finds James Wilson lurking at the front post.

However, the former Manchester United striker's first-time effort is blocked by goalkeeper Luke Southwood.

Following the corner, Ferguson finds himself in the clear but volleys wastefully over the crossbar.

New Hearts boss Daniel Stendel was given a warm reception at Tynecastle and his Hearts side have come flying out of the traps.

Just the one shot for Saints goalkeeper Zander Clark to deal with so far, gathering an effort from Glenn Whelan.

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A big chance for Kilmarnock's Dario Del Fabro. A free-kick finds the defender at the back post and the merest of touches would have put it into the net, but somehow he lets the ball go by him.

And away we go...

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is "delighted" to have Funso Ojo back in the side after the midfielder missed three months out through injury.

"He's trained all week and will only play a maximum of 60 minutes today regardless of how the game is going," he tells BBC Scotland.

"We have a few midfielders missing and Zak Vyner is down with the bug that's been around the club and considering the importance of the game today, we thought we would like him in the team as we want to control the game.

"We are hoping to impose ourselves on the game from the start, dominate the pitch and dominate the ball and be potent with it.

"We want to have Greg Leigh bombing up from left-back. It is no reflection on Andrew Considine's performance last week. In some games, it will be good to have him at full-back and others as centre-back."

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Hamilton head coach Brian Rice is hoping to overcome the odds again at Pittodrie.

"Obviously it was a great night for us coming here and winning in February,

"It's the same again - nobody fancies us, nobody gives us a chance. That's just normal for Hamilton and we need to use that.

"We are struck with injury and suspension, but I think the team I've picked are good enough to get something out of the game."

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Kenny Crawford
BBC Sport Scotland at Pittodrie

Cast your mind back to February and a certain Marco van Basten-like goal by George Oakley to help Hamilton Accies to a 2-0 win at Pittodrie.

Aberdeen know what Brian Rice’s side can pull off if given a chance, but with the South Lanarkshire men looking for their first win in 11 matches, on paper the Dons would have to be fancied at home today.

Locals are keen to see what midfielder Funso Ojo can bring to the table - he’s making his first appearance since September and Derek McInnes labelled him a “marquee signing”.

Livingston manager Gary Holt is hopeful that the dreadful weather in Paisley won't be a deciding factor today.

Speaking to BBC Scotland, he said: "It'll be tough battle but we're always positive. We can't afford to be - and I think St Mirren are the same - down on ourselves or get too down on the lads, because they give their all. It's just that at this level the fine lines can cost you.

"I'm hoping the weather doesn't play that big of an impact, like cost someone a goal or a mistake, because you'd rather it be a decent goal or a decent bit of football. The conditions may make it torturous at times but you have to play to the conditions."

Image source, SNS