Aberdeen vs. Celtic is the defining moment of the Premiership

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We are almost at Christmas with half of the Premiership to go, but is Aberdeen vs. Celtic a season-defining moment?

Celtic went through all of 2016/17 Premiership without losing a single game. This season they managed to last just 17 games before they succumbed to defeat, losing 4-0 to Hearts.

Their very next game is at home to Partick Thistle, bottom in the Premiership table. That should be an easy win for Celtic, but after that is a table-topping clash with second-place Aberdeen.

Obviously it seems early to declare any moment be a season-defining one, but this truly is. Celtic will rebound from defeat and beat Partick, sure, but they are newly mortal.

Getting dismantled by Hearts was confirmation of Celtic not quite being at the level they were last season. And this opens up a huge chance for Aberdeen. The gap between both clubs stands at 2 points, albeit Celtic will likely stretch it to 5 after they beat Partick.

Still, 5 points is not a huge gap, especially as Aberdeen could once again reduce it to 2 a few days later when they travel to Celtic Park, inflicting Celtic’s second defeat in three games.

Think about that, Celtic – who last season didn’t lose a single game in the Premiership – could end up losing two out of three. What better way to confirm their mortality? And with that mortality, a renewed sense of hope for Aberdeen that they could break the Old Firm’s 33 year monopoly on the Title.

Aberdeen haven’t won the Premiership since 1985 when Sir Alex Ferguson was their manager, but this season they’re not only in second and playing well but have already struck a blow against one of the Old Firm by keeping Derek McInnes from leaving to manage Rangers. If they could now build on that by beating Celtic, then how could they not believe this to be their year?

Sure, if Celtic win then Aberdeen are knocked back down and order is restored. But if Aberdeen beat Celtic then the Premiership will have a genuine title race as the season enters its second half.

And with the likes of Celtic’s star striker Moussa Dembélé so clearly below the excellent form he showed in 2016/17, that could be something they’re not able to handle. After all, when was the last time Celtic faced true adversity on the home front?