Aberdeen recorded only their second win this season against Dundee United at Pittodrie today, making it three home wins in a row and pushing hard to make a late claim for a Uefa Cup spot.

Aberdeen started with Touzani, Scott Severin and Andrew Considine in the back due to injuries adn suspensions, and they were kept busy as United made the livelier start. But goals from Richard Foster and Karim Touzani secured all three points for the Dons, with a Danny Swanson goal for the visitors rounding off an entertaining match.

With Motherwell losing, and Hibs not playing until tomorrow, Aberdeen are now three points from third spot. Our next game is away to Motherwell on the 10th May.

Aberdeen: Langfield, Duff, Severin, Considine, Foster, De Visscher (Lovell 87), Nicholson (Bus 79), Touzani, Young, Miller, Maguire (Walker 73). Subs Not Used: Soutar, Ross.

Booked: Foster, Miller.

Goals: Foster 30, Touzani 48.

Dundee Utd: Zaluska, Dillon, Wilkie, Dods, Grainger, Flood, Kerr (O'Brien 79), Swanson, Gomis (Daly 84), Hunt (Johnny Russell 46), De Vries. Subs Not Used: McLean, Robertson, Kovacevic, Odhiambo.

Booked: Grainger, Dods.

Goal: Swanson 49.

Att: 10,312 , Ref: B Winter

Dundee United travel to Pittodrie tomorrow for the last 'New Firm' derby of the season, knowing that a win is vital to keep up their challenge for European football next season. With The Terrors one point behind third placed Motherwell every game is vital now for Craig Leveins side. Aberdeen meanwhile are in with an outside chance of European football next season but must rely on other teams to get results for them.

Dundee United have the edge over Aberdeen this season, playing four in all competitions, winning three and losing one, inflicting two particularly heavy defeats along the way:

League Cup Aberdeen      1-4 Dundee United
SPL        Dundee United 3-0 Aberdeen 
SPL        Aberdeen      2-0 Dundee United
SPL        Dundee United 1-0 Aberdeen

With defenders Lee Mair and Zander Diamond missing through injury and suspension along with other absentees Darren Mackie, Richie Byrne and Jamie Smith, on-loan defender Alan Maybury’s injury adds another challenge to Calderwood’s plans for tomorrow.

But while third spot in the SPL is still a possibility, Calderwood’s focus is firmly on next season following the expected departure of six players from the Pittodrie side. Having signed Oldham’s former Kilmarnock midfielder Gary McDonald on a pre-contract, he is hoping to have more new recruits secured before the end of the campaign. Dutch youngster Dyon Camero has impressed in his short trail. The 19-year-old FC Zutphen forward will go back to Holland on Sunday, but could return.  Aberdeen defender Alan Maybury’s suspected fractured rib could rule him out for the rest of the season but it will not affect his chances of securing a permanent move to Pittodrie. The on-loan Leicester City player'sloan deal runs out at the end of the campaign, as does his contract at Leicester, but Dons manager Jimmy Calderwood is hoping to make the Republic of Ireland international an integral part of his squad for next season.

Prediction: Aberdeen are unbeaten in their last seven home games, and have not drawn in their last five, whilst United have not win away in three and drawn their last three games.  A tight home win for Aberdeen.

Aberdeen (from): Langfield, Considine, Bus, Touzani, Foster, Walker, Severin, Duff, De Visscher, Young, Lovell, Miller, Maguire, Aluko, Jonathan Smith, Pawlett, Jack, Soutar.

Dundee United (from): Zaluska, Dillon, Dods, Kenneth, Grainger, Wilkie, Kalvenes, Conway, Swanson, Kerr, Flood, Robb, Gomis, Buaben, Hunt, De Vries, O'Brien, Odhiambo, Daly, Robertson, Kovacevic, McLean.

I cant remember a time in recent history when the finish to the SPL has been this exciting. With Celtic currently leading their Old Firm rivals by five points, hopes of winning three titles in a row for the first time since the last of their nine back-to-back championships in 1974 must be high in the East End of Glasgow. Rangers though have three games in hand, but like Celtic face a few difficult games in the coming three weeks.

Usually at this stage of the season, the Old Firm are far ahead of the pack, and the race for third place is generally sewn up as well. But this year, three teams - Motherwell, Dundee United and Hibernian and, as an outside chance, possibly Aberdeen - are within 2 points of each other and need the points to secure that valuable third place and the UEFA Cup spot that comes with it.

Both Celtic and Rangers will be travelling to play these sides over the coming weeks, with every game and every result worth fighting for. Motherwell and Dundee United wont meet again this season, so both teams will have to rely on results elsewhere to give them the advantage.

United's record against Rangers has not been bad this season: two high scoring draws, a win and a loss. Against Celtic however, the Tannadice club has not fared so well, losing twice and drawing once. In fact, Dundee United have not beaten Celtic since 1999 when goals by Billy Dodds and Craig Easton secured a 2-1 win.

Motherwell have lost two games and drawn one against Rangers this season, and need to look back to the Boxing Day game back in 2002 for their last win. Against Celtic, the Steelmen have recording one victory in this campaign, when a Simon Lapin goal on 33 minutes secured the three points.

Rangers are playing well and have a game in hand, but I cant see Celtic slipping up now. Despite having a trophy-less season so far, the momentum is with the Parkhead side. Rangers will have the added distraction of a tricky away fixture to Fiorentina in the UEFA Cup semi-final this evening and must hope that there are no serious injuries.

With Chelsea reaching the final of the Champions League last night, there is an additional motivator to win the SPL: the possiblity of a 12 million pound payout for the team finishing top in 3 weeks time.

My prediction: Celtic to win the League, Motherwell to finish third as a perfect end to an emotional season for the Fir Park side.