Dons manager Derek McInnes has warned his players they will have to be at their best if they are to avoid another humbling in Hamilton this weekend.
Aberdeen were beaten 3-0 by the Accies on their last visit to New Douglas Park in October, but can extend its unbeaten league run to 12 matches on Sunday.
The Accies were unlikely leaders of the Scottish Premiership when they defeated the Dons in October, but have struggled in recent weeks after the departure of manager Alex Neil and leading-scorer Tony Andreu to Norwich City.
But McInnes knows his side is in for a difficult match and said: “They are a good team and we know from experience we have to be aware of their strengths.
“We have to make sure we compete and defend far better than we did last time.
“That was a poor game for us, but thankfully our form has been much better since.
“That was a long time ago and this is a completely different game, but we have to make sure our approach is spot on.”
The Accies have not won in six games but McInnes reckons the South Lanarkshire side is playing better than form suggests.
He added: “We have played Hamilton twice since that match in October and had a couple of positive results. But they deservedly beat us last time down there.
“They haven’t won for six games but I have watched their last few matches and they are not too far away.
“The performances have been decent and they have been a bit unlucky.
“They have lost their manager and Tony Andreu but there is still enough about them to suggest they will be very competitive.”