Seven months into the season and Partick Thistle have yet to win at home in the Scottish Premiership. Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is determined his team will not be the fall guys on Saturday.
The Dons have already beaten the Maryhill men three times this season, including a 3-0 victory in September and a 1-0 triumph in the Scottish Cup in December.
Partick have gone 13 games on their own patch without a victory with all four of their league wins secured on the road.
The Jags faithful have seen their team score just nine goals at Firhill this season, but McInnes knows the side managed by his friend Alan Archibald, pictured, possess too much quality to go the whole season without recording a home win.
The Dons manager said: “I have been to a few of their games and they have been really unfortunate as they have got themselves into so many good positions.
“They have brought something to the league and I am surprised it has been so long since they won at home. I’m sure that won’t be the case throughout the season. We just have to make sure they don’t get their first home win on Saturday.
“I have a lot of admiration for the way they set up and the manner in which they try to go out and win the game.
“They don’t go out to frustrate teams, they back themselves to win. They have players who can cause problems if given time and space.
“Although we have won three games against them this season, we have had to play well and work hard to get those results. Something similar will be needed on Saturday.”
Last week’s 1-0 win at St Mirren may not have been pretty on the eye but McInnes was pleased to keep the winning momentum in their quest to finish best of the rest behind cham- pions-elect Celtic.
He added: “We have had some fantastic results on the road, which is testament to the players. They have been in decent form and it is important we maintain consistency until the end of the season.
“We have very rarely had a poor run of form but we have had a few spells where we have been really strong. Hopefully we can continue winning but to do that we will have to play well. Every point is becoming that bit more precious.”