Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

The free kick from Ryan Christie is nodded clear by Andrew Considine and when Olivier Ntcham's lofted return is gathered by Joe Lewis an offside flag is fluttering.

Heavy rain to go with the gusting winds now as Lewis Ferguson is booked for clattering into Ryan Christie just outside the penalty area on the left.

Ferguson is irate that play was allowed to continue after what looked like a clear handball from Tom Rogic in the build-up.

Jeremie Frimpong makes his way forward from right-back but the Celtic defender's shot is weak and it's an easy take for Joe Lewis.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Scotland at Pittodrie

The wind is really howling around Pittodrie, and is already causing both sets of players some real problems. It is certainly a day for trying to keep the ball on the ground.

An early booking for Celtic's captain for the day Callum McGregor as he catches Ryan Hedges late with a sore one near the ankle.

Aberdeen get forward for the first time and a header from Ross McCrorie sails well wide.

Again, the wind was a factor, making it hard for the midfielder to judge the ball's flight.

Celtic look like they mean business and the Aberdeen wing-backs are being pushed right back.

A promising move for the visitors fizzles out as Diego Laxalt overhits a cross under no pressure. Although the strong wind keeps the ball in play, the Dons are able to repel the danger.

Here's a reminder of how the table looks, with Rangers enjoying a four-point cushion, although Celtic do have a game in hand.

Image source, BBC Sport

A peep of the whistle from referee Willie Collum and away we go.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Scotland at Pittodrie

A minute's silence to pay respect to Ebbe Skovdahl, who sadly passed away last week. He was a lovely man, who always took time to chat about football and life in general. You will struggle to find anyone who has a bad word to say about Ebbe, a real gent who will be sadly missed.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnestells BBC Scotland: "I had a few decisions to make, but I just feel that Ryan Hedges can be more productive in a central role. One change but it's to try and get the balance right between attack and defence.

"We actually had five doubts in training yesterday. There's a wee bug going about and one or two had knocks. But Jonny Hayes and Ryan Edmondson were the main doubts and I'm delighted they are in the starting line-up for obvious reasons.

"We've played Celtic when they've been rampant and we've always tried to compete with them. We aim to compete with them today and we aim to get a result.

"This is a game we can win - we've got to believe that."

Image source, SNS

Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen captain on BBC Sportsound

Celtic manager Neil Lennon explains the absence of goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas is due to a back injury.

Scott Brown begins on the bench, and Lennon tells BBC Scotland: "It's always a difficult decision but we have to think about the block of games we've had and the intensity of the games, and this will be another intense game. Some of the changes have been by design, others we have to do it.

"We'll start the game with how we finished on Thursday night. I was pleased with the second half performance against AC Milan and hopefully that will stand us in good stead.

"I always think you have a point to prove. This is something we're maybe not used to very often. I've got great faith in the players and myself. I used to get more sensitive about criticism but I like to think I'm more mellow now."

Image source, SNS

The Dons have lost just twice in the league this term and come into this one having picked up 10 points from their last four outings.

However, those two slip-ups both came at Pittodrie. There was a rather feeble showing against Rangers on the opening day, while a first-half horror show led to a 3-0 victory for Motherwell in September.

A win today would move Aberdeen back up to third place but they haven't beaten Celtic in the north east since September 2015 when Paul Quinn found a late winner.

Image source, SNS

Tyrone Smith
BBC Scotland at Pittodrie

Aberdeen v Celtic games certainly fall in to the category of Scottish football’s box office encounters.

The latest Pittodrie edition of the fixture is no exception and there may even be an added level of intrigue this time round.

A win would move the Dons level on points with the champions, and would further raise hopes among the Aberdeen faithful that their team can go toe-to-toe with Celtic (and Rangers) over the course of the campaign.

Neil Lennon’s side arrive in the Granite City looking to get things moving in the right direction again after a difficult few weeks.

Covid 19 issues to one side, they’ve suffered back-to-back defeats, against Rangers and AC Milan, and know they can ill afford another.

And with today’s game also acting as a dress rehearsal for next weekend’s Scottish Cup semi final between the sides, both will hoping to perhaps gain an extra psychological edge before they do it all again at Hampden.

Image source, SNS

Former Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne joins BBC Sportsound to share some of his memories of Ebbe Skovdahl and recounts a tale of the manager having a go on a bucking bronco at a club barbeque.

The cigarette didn't come out of his mouth and the ride did not last long, recalls Milne with a chuckle.

"In typical Ebbe style, he just lay there on his back laughing along with everybody," he says.

"I had a special relationship with him, he was a unique individual. He left a lasting impression at the club."

There will be a minute's silence before kick-off to mark the recent death of former Aberdeen manager Ebbe Skovdahl.

The Dane spent four years at Pittodrie from 1999 following three successful spells in charge of Brondby.

He was 75 and had been battling cancer for several years.

Image source, SNS

It's not often Celtic lose two in a row... It was December, 2018, when they went down to RB Salzburg and then Hibernian.

Three on the bounce? Well, that hasn't happened since way back in 2007.

Nervous Celtic fans won't thank me for saying the first two defeats in that sequence were to AC Milan (after extra time) and Rangers.

Falkirk were the team to complete a trio of 1-0 reverses.

Over 90 minutes, you have to fire up the time machine and set it for 1994...