Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is confident his side will sign off with the two wins needed to beat last season’s record-breaking points tally.
The Dons finished with 75 points last season – the best return for a top flight team other than Celtic or Rangers.
The Dons were beaten 3-2 by champions Celtic on Sunday and on 71 points ahead of their final fixtures against Hearts on Thursday and Ross County on Sunday.
Both matches will take place at Pittodrie where Aberdeen have been beaten only once this season – a 5-1 loss against St Johnstone in October.
McInnes believes his squad has improved this year by closing the gap on Celtic, but wants to finish with two victories to prove progress has been made.
He said: “People said we gave ourselves a lot to do by setting our sights on trying to beat 75 points, which was a record for a team outside the Old Firm.
“We all agreed it would be a tough challenge but I think we will beat it. We need four points to equal it and six points to beat it.
“I think we will beat it again and we will be the first team outwith the Old Firm to have 70-odd points two years in a row.
“I see that improvement in my team. Sometimes this season we have lost cheap goals and produced poor performances.
“We are where we are and we will continue to try to get better by trying to get the players in to help the good players we already have here.”
Only a victory at Parkhead would have been enough to delay Celtic’s title celebrations but the Dons fell short against Ronny Deila’s side.
A Patrick Roberts double and a goal from Mikael Lustig put the Hoops in control but late goals from Niall McGinn and Andrew Considine helped restore some pride.
McInnes acknowledged the Hoops have been the best team in the country – but sees no reason why his players cannot push them again next term.
He added: “Celtic have only lost three games this season. We beat them twice and needed someone else to lay a glove on them as well if we were to get closer to them.
“They deserve credit but we need to make sure we are smart with our work this summer by identifying key players who can help.”
The Dons have limited attacking options for this week’s matches. Leading-scorer Adam Rooney will not play again this season because of a thigh injury, while Simon Church is a doubt after suffering an ankle injury against the Hoops.