Motherwell with a sniff as Connor Shields bursts down the right. He crosses and Kevin van Veen knocks it back to Stuart McKinstry but his goal-bound shot is blocked by Alex Gogic. Vital intervention from the Cypriot.

The weak winter sun is casting long shadows on the pitch in Dingwall. As for the football - there has been none so far... Lots of fouls.

First real threat at either end as Aidan McGeady drifts inside his marker and the Hibs winger sends a powerful drive a few feet over the crossbar.

Great chance for Rangers. Malik Tillman robs Connor McLennan and slips the ball through for Alfredo Morelos.

The Colombian is at an angle to the goal, but should do better than shooting straight at Remi Matthews.

A bit of a nervy back header from Liam Scales and Hibs winger Elie Youan sees a chance to nip in ahead of Joe Lewis.

However, the Aberdeen goalkeeper clutches it to his chest at the second attempt.

Early chance for St Mirren as Scott Tanser lashes a half-volley just wide from the edge of the box. It would have been some goal had it gone in.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland at Easter Road

There is certainly a tense atmosphere pitch side at Easter Road. Various personnel behind the scenes at both clubs saying "what will be will be".

Aberdeen have sold 1,700 tickets while there are huge gaps in the home stands. A draw may be good enough to drag the stories in to another day.

And away we go.

Kenny Crawford
BBC Sport Scotland in Paisley

Both these teams negotiated their way through into the last 16 of the Scottish Cup last weekend, but the league has been more problematic.

St Mirren are five games without a win in the Premiership, Motherwell are eight matches without tasting victory.

The Paisley club have fared better at home this season, while the North Lanarkshire outfit have enjoyed more success away this campaign, so something’s got to give.

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: "It's an important game. When you play teams in and around you those three points become even more pivotal. It's finely poised. It's two teams who have struggled for consistency. We have struggled for games on the road. Our home form would get us towards the top six, our away form would get us into relegation fight.

"I feel as if we are getting better but we need to get better again if we are going to survive and get towards the middle of the table."

Image source, SNS

Eilidh Davies
BBC Sportsound reporter in Dingwall

Malky MacKay says he hopes the introduction of some fresh blood will ensure Ross County claim just their third home victory of the season. Eamonn Brophy, who joins until the end of the season on loan from St Mirren, and Nonah Kenneh, the central midfielder on loan from Hibs, both start, while striker Josh Stones, who arrived this week from Wigan, is on the bench.

There's a lot riding on this game, particularly for Jim Goodwin it would seem.

Dave Cormack's ominous call for "an immediate response" has led to a few El Sackico headlines.

I've also seen the lay-off play-off, axe of the day and boot-out shootout...

What are the odds on a nervous 0-0?

Image source, SNS

Two under-performing sides meet at Easter Road, with both managers feeling the heat.

Dons boss Jim Goodwin received a written warning from his chairman following Monday's embarassing Scottish Cup defeat to wee Darvel. There is also the matter of five away defeats on the bounce in the league.

Hibs are two points below the visitors and have been gubbed 3-0 twice by Edinburgh rivals Hearts this month in a run of just three wins from their last 14 outings in all competitions.

We've not heard a cheep from those in charge at the Leith club, which may be just as foreboding as Goodwin's public ticking off.

Bottom-of-the-table Ross County haven't won a game since early November, but they do have a good home record against Kilmarnock, losing just once in the last nine meetings in Dingwall and winning six of those.

Back in August, Owura Edwards hit the only goal late in the game.

Kilmarnock are still without an away win in the league this season, losing nine and drawing twice.

Image source, sns

Rangers remain unbeaten since Michael Beale took over, winning eight from nine in all competitions.

Today's opponents will be familiar since they went head-to-head with St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park in the Scottish Cup last weekend, prevailing 1-0 thanks to a strike from Borna Barisic.

Saints won the last league meeting in November, again in Perth, but have lost their last four visits to Ibrox with the aggregate score at 10-0.

Callum Davidson's side will not be fancied to end a six-game losing slump today.

Image source, SNS

St Mirren are unbeaten in 10 home league matches (W6 D4) since losing on their opening game of the season against Motherwell.

Kevin van Veen scored the only goal from the penalty spot that afternoon.

Motherwell, without a Premiership win since late October, are unbeaten in the last seven games between these two (D4 L3).

Jim Goodwin insists that defender Jayden Richardson and midfielder Vicente Besuijen are still in his plans despite the pair being absent from the Aberdeen bench today.

The manager tells BBC Scotland that it is simply a result of the competition for places in his squad.

Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin admits "it's been a tough week" but insists he can turn things around after the dismal defeat by Darvel in the Scottish Cup.

"Obviously the result on Monday was a huge embarrassment for the club, for me and my staff and players," he tells BBC Scotland. "There's no escaping the fact we have been on a poor run of form.

"We are under no illusions there's got to be a reaction today."

Asked what he told his board to avoid the sack, Goodwin adds: "I was very open and honest with them and tried to convince them I was up for the fight.

"The easy thing for the board to do was to pull the trigger, but they have shown great faith in me. I don't know what conversation the board had with the players, but I know I have the backing of the players and, if we win today, we are back up to fourth."