On Sunday, November 23, 2025, Heart of Midlothian FC will travel to Pittodrie Stadium in Aberdeen for a pivotal Scottish Premiership showdown against Aberdeen Football Club. With the Jambos sitting atop the table at 30 points from 12 matches — unbeaten and seven clear of Celtic — this isn’t just another fixture. It’s a statement game. And Aberdeen, languishing in 8th with just 12 points, knows it’s a fight for survival as much as pride.
Hearts’ Unstoppable Momentum
Heart of Midlothian FC haven’t just been good this season — they’ve been historic. Nine wins, three draws, zero losses. Twenty-nine goals scored. Just ten conceded. Their away record? Seven wins, one loss, two draws in their last 10 road games, with 21 goals on the road. That’s not form. That’s dominance. And it’s not just about numbers. It’s about rhythm. Midfielders like Calem Nieuwenhof and Finlay Pollock may be sidelined, but as SportyTrader.com noted, their absence hasn’t dulled the attack. Lawrence Shankland, the clinical striker, remains the X-factor — a player who can turn a half-chance into a season-defining goal.
Even their draw last weekend against Dundee — a 1-1 stalemate — felt like a minor stumble, not a collapse. It was the first time in five matches they failed to score twice. That’s the standard now. They don’t just win; they overwhelm. Their points-per-game average of 2.50 away from Tynecastle is the highest in the league. No other team comes close.
Aberdeen’s Struggles at Home
At Pittodrie, the atmosphere should be electric. But the results tell a different story. In their last 10 home matches, Aberdeen have won just once, drawn three, and lost six. They’ve scored 11 goals — an average of 1.1 per game — and conceded 14. That’s not just poor. It’s alarming. FootballTipPredictions.com and SportsGambler.com offer slightly different stats, but the trend is undeniable: Aberdeen are leaky, lethargic, and lacking ideas up front.
They’ve netted only eight goals in 11 league games — tied for the fewest in the division. Their attack is a shadow of what it was under previous managers. The midfield lacks creativity, and the forwards are missing chances they used to bury. Even their one win in the last five home games came against bottom-side Livingston. Hearts aren’t Livingston.
Conflicting Predictions, Clear Reality
Here’s where it gets messy. FootballPredictions.com says 2-2. SportsMole.co.uk says 0-2 to Hearts. Forebet.com and Futbol24 both back a 1-2 away win. Odds vary too: Hearts to win at 1.91 on Futbol24, -114 on SportsGambler.com. Both Teams to Score? Yes, says nearly every source — with odds hovering around 1.83.
But here’s the twist: the 2-2 prediction feels like wishful thinking. Aberdeen haven’t scored more than once in a home game since September. Hearts haven’t conceded more than one goal in any away match this season. That 2-2 forecast? It ignores the trend. The real story is in the numbers: Hearts have kept clean sheets in six of their 12 league games. Aberdeen have failed to score in five of their last seven outings.
Why This Match Matters Beyond the Table
For Hearts, this is about legacy. Their last league title? 1959. Sixty-six years. A generation of fans has grown up waiting. This team — led by manager Robbie Neilson — is the closest they’ve come since the 90s. Beating Aberdeen in their own den would send a message: this isn’t a fluke. This is a resurgence.
For Aberdeen, it’s about relevance. They’re stuck in mid-table purgatory. Miss this chance, and the pressure on manager Barry Robson intensifies. A loss here could drop them into the relegation zone if results elsewhere go against them. And with Dundee United, St Mirren, and Kilmarnock all level on points, every game is a potential turning point.
What’s Next?
If Hearts win, they’ll open a nine-point gap over Celtic with just 16 games left. The title race effectively becomes a two-horse contest — Hearts and maybe Rangers, if they start winning consistently. But if Aberdeen somehow pull off a shock? It could ignite a revival. A win would lift them to 15 points, just two behind 7th place Dundee United. Momentum shifts fast in football.
The kickoff time? Still unclear. FootballPredictions.com says 15:00. SportsGambler.com says 10:00. Futbol24 says 16:00. That uncertainty? It mirrors the chaos surrounding Aberdeen’s season. One thing’s certain: the match will be played. And Hearts won’t be intimidated.
Historical Context: A Tale of Two Clubs
Hearts and Aberdeen have met 178 times in league history. Hearts have won 71, Aberdeen 56, with 51 draws. But recent history favors the Jambos. Their last meeting ended 2-0 at Tynecastle in August. And that was before they hit their current stride. Aberdeen’s last win at Pittodrie against Hearts? 2019. Before that? 2017. The gap isn’t just in points — it’s in confidence.
Hearts’ 29 goals this season are more than the entire top half of the league except Celtic. Aberdeen’s eight? Only Livingston and Dundee have scored fewer. The gulf isn’t just tactical. It’s psychological.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this match impact Hearts’ title chances?
A win would extend Hearts’ lead over Celtic to nine points with 16 games remaining, effectively making them heavy favorites to clinch their first league title since 1959. Their unbeaten record and defensive solidity — just 10 goals conceded — mean they’re built for the long haul. A loss, however, would open the door for Celtic to close the gap with a win over Rangers.
Why is Aberdeen struggling so badly at home?
Aberdeen’s home form has collapsed since the start of the season. They’ve scored just 1.1 goals per game at Pittodrie, conceded 1.4, and won only one of their last 10 home matches. Injuries to key attackers and a lack of midfield control have left them predictable and brittle. Their only win came against bottom-placed Livingston — a result that doesn’t reflect true improvement.
Who is the key player to watch in this match?
Lawrence Shankland, Hearts’ 30-year-old striker, has netted 11 league goals this season — more than half of Aberdeen’s total output. He’s clinical in one-on-one situations and has a knack for scoring against struggling defenses. If he gets space behind Aberdeen’s high line, it could be game over by halftime.
What do the betting odds suggest about the match outcome?
Hearts are priced at 1.91 to win on Futbol24, while Both Teams to Score is at 1.83 — indicating markets expect Hearts to win but Aberdeen to score. This aligns with Hearts’ defensive record and Aberdeen’s low scoring output. A 1-2 or 0-2 scoreline is the most statistically likely, not the 2-2 draw some sites predict.
Could this result affect managerial futures?
Absolutely. A loss would intensify scrutiny on Aberdeen manager Barry Robson, whose job security is already under pressure. For Hearts, a win would solidify Robbie Neilson’s status as a cult hero — potentially extending his contract beyond its 2026 expiry. A draw might keep things stable, but a defeat could spark fan unrest and calls for change at both ends.
What’s the historical significance of Hearts’ current campaign?
Hearts haven’t won the Scottish top-flight title since 1959 — the longest drought among the Old Firm and traditional powerhouses. If they finish top this season, it would be the first time since 1958 that a non-Old Firm team has claimed the crown. That’s not just a trophy — it’s a seismic shift in Scottish football’s power structure.