Aberdeen 1-1 Dundee United: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Ladbrokes’ post-match review of Aberdeen 1-1 Dundee United in the Premiership on Saturday, 27 December 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Aberdeen and Dundee United played out a 1-1 draw at Pittodrie. The visitors took the lead on the half-hour mark when Amar Fatah found the net, capitalising on a spell where Dundee United looked threatening despite Aberdeen’s control of the ball. The first half ended with Dundee United ahead, building on their recent form that included a win over Celtic and a draw with Hibernian, while Aberdeen, coming off a loss to Celtic but with wins against Kilmarnock and Dundee, pushed hard but couldn’t break through before the break.

Aberdeen levelled things up in the 60th minute through Jesper Karlsson, shifting the momentum as they dominated possession thereafter. Substitutions around the hour mark, including Kenan Bilalovic and Marko Lazetić coming on, helped Aberdeen press for a winner, but Dundee United held firm with their own changes, reflecting their resilient recent draws against Motherwell and Rangers. The match ended all square, a fair result given both sides’ mixed form leading into this encounter.

Aberdeen bossed possession with 70% of the ball, allowing them to dictate much of the tempo, but Dundee United made the most of their 30% share by racking up 82 successful dribbles compared to Aberdeen’s 25, suggesting they were far more effective at beating defenders and launching counters. The home side edged corners 9-5, pointing to sustained pressure in the attacking third, yet neither team converted penalties or scored in injury time, with assists not playing a defining role in the goals.

Discipline saw Aberdeen pick up two yellow cards against Dundee United’s three, adding tension without any reds, while substitutions were straightforward – Aberdeen used four, bringing on Kenan Bilalovic for Dante Polvara and Marko Lazetić for Topi Keskinen at 56’, then Nicolas Milanovic for Adil Aouchiche and Kjartan Már Kjartansson for Kevin Nisbet at 82’; Dundee United made three, with Ivan Dolcek replacing Max Watters at 65’, Nikolaj Möller for Zachary Sapsford at 73’, and Kristijan Trapanovski for Amar Fatah at 84’.

Dundee United struck first in the 30th minute as Amar Fatah scored to give them the lead, a key moment that put Aberdeen on the back foot despite their possession dominance. Aberdeen responded after the break with substitutions at 56’, where Kenan Bilalovic replaced Dante Polvara and Marko Lazetić came on for Topi Keskinen, leading to Jesper Karlsson’s equaliser at 60’ that brought the hosts level. Yellow cards added to the drama, with Bert Esselink booked for Dundee United at 51’, Adil Aouchiche for Aberdeen at 65’, Will Ferry at 69’, Stuart Armstrong at 85’, and Nikolaj Möller at 84’.

Further changes saw Dundee United bring on Ivan Dolcek for Max Watters at 65’ and Nikolaj Möller for Zachary Sapsford at 73’, while Aberdeen introduced Nicolas Milanovic for Adil Aouchiche and Kjartan Már Kjartansson for Kevin Nisbet at 82’, and Dundee United’s final switch was Kristijan Trapanovski replacing Amar Fatah at 84’. These adjustments helped both sides maintain energy, but neither could find a decisive breakthrough.

Aberdeen lined up in a 4-2-3-1 shape, with Jesper Karlsson proving influential in the attacking midfield role by netting the equaliser, while partnerships like Adil Aouchiche in the creative spots added threat before his substitution. Dante Polvara and Topi Keskinen started in midfield and forward positions respectively, making way at 56’ for Kenan Bilalovic and Marko Lazetić, and later changes saw Nicolas Milanovic and Kjartan Már Kjartansson enter for Adil Aouchiche and Kevin Nisbet. Stuart Armstrong’s presence brought experience, though his late yellow card highlighted the midfield battles.

Dundee United set up in a 3-4-3 formation, allowing Amar Fatah to shine on the wing with his 30th-minute goal before being replaced by Kristijan Trapanovski at 84’, while Bert Esselink anchored the defence and picked up a yellow at 51’. Will Ferry contributed in the wide areas but earned a booking at 69’, and substitutions included Ivan Dolcek coming on for Max Watters at 65’ and Nikolaj Möller replacing Zachary Sapsford at 73’, with Möller later carded at 84’. This setup focused on solid defending and quick breaks, suiting their dribble-heavy approach.

Jesper Karlsson earned Ladbrokes’ Man of the Match honours for his crucial contribution, scoring Aberdeen’s only goal in the 60th minute to secure the draw. While he didn’t record any assists, big chances created, or key passes in the data, his strike was the standout moment that shifted the game’s balance. Starting the match, Karlsson’s performance underlined his importance in the attacking setup.

Recent Premiership matches:

• Loss: 1-3 vs Celtic (A)
• Win: 2-1 vs Kilmarnock (H)
• Win: 3-1 vs Dundee (A)
• Draw: 3-3 vs St. Mirren (H)
• Win: 1-0 vs Livingston (A)

Recent Premiership matches:

• Draw: 1-1 vs Hibernian (H)
• Win: 2-1 vs Celtic (H)
• Draw: 0-0 vs Motherwell (H)
• Loss: 0-2 vs St. Mirren (A)
• Draw: 2-2 vs Rangers (H)

Aberdeen have just drawn 1-1 with Dundee United, leaving them sixth on 24 points after a run that includes a recent loss to Celtic but wins over Kilmarnock and Dundee, plus a draw with St. Mirren. Their next match is against Hibernian on 2025-12-30 at 19:45, with the opponents currently fifth on 28 points, making this a key chance for Aberdeen to close the gap and push for European spots.

Dundee United have just drawn 1-1 with Aberdeen, sitting eighth on 21 points following a mixed spell with a draw against Hibernian, a win over Celtic, and draws with Motherwell and Rangers. They face Livingston next on 2025-12-30 at 19:45, with the opposition bottom on nine points, offering a strong opportunity for Dundee United to pick up points and climb away from the lower half of the table.

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.