Preview Aberdeen

All Dunfermline fans would take a replay like 2009 and a similar outcome in this year`s cup.

As soon as the teams were drawn together Pars fans, management and players` thoughts immediately recalled of the penalty shoot out at Pittodrie in 2009 that saw the Pars progress to the Scottish Cup Semi Final in which they met Falkirk at Hampden. All Dunfermline fans would take a replay and a similar outcome in this year`s cup.

The Dons made the Fifth Round after coasting past Division Two side East Fife by six goals to nil.  Chris Maguire scored a hat-trick, Scott Vernon a double and Josh Magennis notched the sixth. The Pars made heavier weather of their one tie so far; the 2-2 draw against Third Division Montrose was followed by a 5-3 victory in the replay at East End Park.

Aberdeen under Craig Brown will be keen to reach their first Scottish Cup Final since season 1999-2000.  They were prevented a Cup Final appearance in 2008 when Queen of the South came out on top in a seven goal thriller. In the seasons prior to that the Dons were knocked out by Hibs, Hearts, Dundee United, Livingston, Dundee and Celtic. Last season after defeating Hearts at Pittodrie they went out at home in the Fifth Round replay against Raith Rovers.

Last season Dunfermline were knocked out by Celtic and in 2008 by Partick Thistle but in 2004 and 2007 they reached the Scottish Cup Final where they met Celtic on both occasions. In 2009 Falkirk denied them another Cup Final day.

This is the ninth time that Dunfermline and Aberdeen have been drawn together in the Scottish Cup but just the second time since 1988.  Aberdeen have progressed five times, Dunfermline just three times.  Penalties were required in 2009 but Dunfermline haven`t come out on top in normal time since 1968; a 2-1 victory courtesy of goals from Hugh Robertson and Alex Edwards. The other time they knocked out the Dons was 6-3 at Pittodrie in 1961 en route to the Scottish Cup success. Three ties have required replays and Aberdeen went on to win two of those.

Out of the last twelve matches against Aberdeen, Dunfermline have won two, drawn three and lost eight. The last time Aberdeen and Dunfermline met in a league game was on 10th February 2007 at Pittodrie in the SPL. 

Last Time at Aberdeen

DUNFERMLINE : Paul Gallacher, Calum Woods, Scott Thomson, Scott Wilson (c), Austin McCann; Steven Bell (Greg Ross 115), Stephen Glass, Nick Phinn (Scott Muirhead 80), Alex Burke; Jamie Mole (Rory Loy 80), Graham Bayne.
SUBS: Greg Paterson, Paul Willis.

ABERDEEN: Jamie Langfield; Zander Diamond, Lee Mair (Andrew Considine 68), Charlie Mulgrew; Sone Aluko (Tommy Wright 106), Scott Severin, Richard Foster, Mark Kerr, Jamie Smith, Chris Maguire (Stuart Duff 73), Darren Mackie.
SUBS: Bertrand Bossu, Derek Young.

REFEREE: Eddie Smith
ATTENDANCE: 13567

Last Time Out

DUNFERMLINE (v Partick Thistle): Chris Smith, Calum Woods, Andy Dowie, Alex Keddie, Austin McCann (c); Wullie Gibson, Nick Phinn (Ryan Thomson HT), Gary Mason, David Graham (Pat Clarke, 69); Andy Kirk, Liam Buchanan (Steven McDougall 60).
SUBS NOT USED: Chris Higgins, Kyle Allison

ABERDEEN (v Celtic, Tuesday): Jamie Langfield; David McNamee (Steven Smith 18), Rory McArdle, Zander Diamond, Andrew Considine; Chris Maguire, Ryan Jack (Derek Young 16),  Paul Hartley, Robert Milsom, Nick Blackman, Scott Vernon,.
SUBS NOT USED: Mark Howard, Peter Pawlett, Josh Magennis, Michael Paton, Miles Anderson 

Pars keeper Chris Smith has started every match this season but a red card in the replay against Montrose means he will be suspended and Kyle Allison and Greg Paterson will come into contention for the trip to Aberdeen.

Referee for this match will be Willie Collum