Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has warned his players to read little into Caley Thistle’s early-season form.
Richie Foran’s players are at the foot of the table with three points from the first four matches and Inverness were sent crashing out of the Betfred Cup with a 1-0 reverse at League 1 Alloa.
But Caley Jags, who bolstered their squad on deadline day by signing Brad McKay and Larnell Cole, tasted victory for the first time on league duty in their last outing before the international break.
A 2-1 win against St Johnstone has given Foran’s men a much-needed lift ahead of making the trip down the A96 to face Aberdeen.
Caley Jags proved to be a difficult obstacle for the Dons to overcome last season.
The Dons came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Inverness at Pittodrie last December thanks to an injury-time Adam Rooney penalty, while they were beaten 2-1 and 3-1 at Caledonian Stadium.
McInnes said: “Caley Thistle have not made the best of starts but I watched their game against St Johnstone and that was a typical Inverness performance.
“They looked far more like themselves. I think it was always going to be about when Caley Thistle got themselves going rather than if.
“They have got a lot of experience in the backbone of the team which has done well under Terry Butcher and John Hughes.
“I think there was a familiarity about the performance as well as the result against St Johnstone.
“They are a very capable team on their day and showed that by beating a good St Johnstone side.”
Ryan Jack will miss out after undergoing knee surgery during the international break but Jonny Hayes is back available after a hamstring injury.
James Maddison, a 19-year-old loan signing from Norwich City, could make his Aberdeen debut this weekend.
McInnes said: “We did the majority of our transfer work in the close season.
“We didn’t seem to be too busy as the deadline approached but we did react to Ryan’s injury.
“James Maddison is a player we are really pleased to bring to the club.
“It gives us another option. It has been good to work with him over the last couple of days. He is doing really well with the team and settled in well.”