SPL Weekend Preview

The fourth week of fixtures in the Scottish Premier League will see all sides compete in the same weekend for the only the second time this season. Both the Glasgow sides will compete on the Saturday, with Kilmarnock and Hibs playing in the Sunday game on ESPN. With the SPL now in full swing are we now going to see a change in results or will the league continue to be as tight as it has started out as? Starting with the Saturday fixtures here is a run down of this weeks SPL previews.

Saturday Fixtures:

Inverness vs. Rangers - 12:45

Rangers make the tricky trip to the North to take on Inverness in what should be a close contest. Inverness have started the season playing well but not getting the points or goals that their play deserves. Rangers meanwhile are unbeaten and will be hoping to keep that run going with a win at Inverness. However, Inverness always raise their game when the Old Firm come calling and this one will be tighter than many people may be expecting. Rangers should still sneak it though.

Inverness 2 - 3 Rangers

Celtic vs. Dundee United - 15:00

Celtic are the only team with a flawless record in the Scottish Premier League at this early stage, with two wins from two games. Dundee United meanwhile have an unbeaten run of two draws and one win, so something will have to give in this fixture. United are still looking for their perfect strike partnership, and the injury to Scott Severin is a major blow for United. Celtic are still to concede a goal, however they have concerns over midfield talisman Beram Kayal who suffered an ankle injury playing for Israel in midweek, while their hunt for a ‘keeper continues. Celtic to win by a two goal margin seems the likely outcome though.

Celtic 3 - 1 Dundee United

Hearts vs. Aberdeen - 15:00

The only fixture this week which features two teams that have already suffered a defeat in this years campaign. Hearts getting beat from Dundee United and Aberdeen getting defeated by St. Mirren. Both teams will be looking to kickstart their seasons and start climbing the table. Mehdi Taouil and Andy Webster are likely to miss the game for Hearts, while Aberdeen are waiting to see whether Fraser Fyvie and Chris Clark are match fit to feature at Tynecastle. Both teams are very goal shy with the Dons will be looking for their first goal of the season, while Hearts have only scored one goal. A low scoring draw is the reasonable assumption.

Hearts 1 - 1 Aberdeen

St. Johnstone vs. Dunfermline - 15:00

Francisco Sandaza is likely to get his first start for his new club St. Johnstone against newly promoted Dunfermline. The Saints have been needing a goal scorer over the last few matches, and they hope the former Dundee United striker will be that man. Dunfermline have had a decent start to the season, with two draws from two games. However, these games were against teams which finished bottom six last season in Inverness and St. Mirren and they will have to start picking up wins against teams around their level before they start facing the bigger teams in the SPL. St. Johnstone are another of these bottom six teams, however, I still wouldn’t bet on the Pars getting that victory.

St. Johnstone 2 - 2 Dunfermline

St. Mirren vs. Motherwell - 15:00

The two surprise packages of the SPL thus far with St. Mirren playing some sublime football while Motherwell sit at the top of the table with seven points from three matches. Nigel Hasselbaink is missing for the Buddies after losing his appeal against his dismissal last week, while Steven Saunders misses out for Well with an injury to his Achilles tendon. While St. Mirren have been playing very well, Motherwell have been winning matches by catching the opposition on the counter attack. They also managed to subdue Kilmarnock in their second fixture of the season, and while St. Mirren are higher in the table than Killie, Killie are probably the better passing side. Motherwell can catch St. Mirren out and should take the three points.

St. Mirren 1 - 2 Motherwell

Sunday Fixtures

Kilmarnock vs. Hibs - 12:15

Osasuna striker, Jorge Galan finally received international clearance a couple of hours ago and goes straight into the side for Killie’s game against Hibs. The Spanish Under 20 Internationalist joins on a season long loan from the La Liga side and will add to the firepower already at Killie. Hibs may also have a few new faces in their side, with Junior Agogo and Isaiah Osbourne likely to play some part. Both teams are likely to get the ball down and the crowd are sure to be entertained by a free flowing match. Scoring goals has been a problem for both sides in recent matches, and both managers will be hopeful that their new signings will make the difference.

Kilmarnock 2 - 1 Hibs

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SPL Weekend Preview

While the English lower leagues are just starting and the English Premiership is still a week away, the SPL reaches its third week, and with friendly matches still being played by certain clubs, the fixture list composes of only four matches. Starting with the Saturday fixtures here is a run down of this weeks SPL previews.

Saturday Fixtures:

Dundee United vs. St. Mirren - 15:00

Dundee United begin life without David Goodwillie with a tricky looking home tie against St. Mirren. The Buddies have been labelled ‘this years Kilmarnock’ with the way they have played during their first two fixtures, which have netted them a joint top position alongside their opponents. Both teams have unbeaten runs to defend with both gaining a win and a draw so far in the campaign and both will be looking to extend that. St. Mirren will hopefully continue their passing football, however, Tannadice is a very difficult place to gain a result from and the Arabs should see the game through by the odd goal.

Prediction:

Dundee United 2 - 1 St. Mirren

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Dunfermline vs. Inverness - 15:00

While other clubs have been playing glamour friendlies in their weekends off, Dunfermline played out a League Cup match last weekend and came through a tricky tie away to Annan Athletic to reach the second round. The Pars are another team with an unbeaten record, having came out of their only game of the SPL season so far with a creditable draw against St. Mirren. Inverness however, are the only side without a point on the board, and they will hope to make amends for this after disappointing results against Motherwell and Hibs. Inverness should come out of this game with their first points, however, it is very likely that they will have to settle for a draw against a resolute Dunfermline side.

Prediction:

Dunfermline 1 - 1 Inverness

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Sunday Fixtures:

Aberdeen vs. Celtic - 12:15

The live game in Scottish Football this week comes from Pittodrie where Celtic will look to continue their winning start to the season. Having played in the glamour ties of the Dublin Cup last weekend, their stars will be brought back down to Earth with a fixture at a very strong Aberdeen side. The Dons were very poor last week against St. Mirren and Craig Brown will be looking for much more a fighting spirit about his team on Sunday. His side however, are probably going to be missing a few of their star players, while Neil Lennon should be able to call on his full team and that should be enough to give Celtic the three points to take back to Glasgow.

Prediction:

Aberdeen 0 - 2 Celtic

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Motherwell vs. Hearts - 15:00

Paulo Sergio will get his first taste of the Scottish Premier League as he takes his new side to Motherwell. Coming off a good win in Europe and the drawing of English giants Tottenham Hotspur in the next round of the Europa League, the Hearts players are very likely to be on a high. Motherwell will be looking to continue their good start to the season, being joint top alongside St. Mirren, Rangers and Dundee United. Against Killie last week they looked very good in the first two thirds, however in the final third they lacked a cutting edge against a strong Killie backline. Hearts’ defence is also very strong and robust and that should make it a struggle for the Motherwell strikers and Hearts may just sneak this one in what should be a very tight game.

Prediction:

Motherwell 0 - 1 Hearts

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SPL Weekend Preview

The second set of fixtures in the SPL season are set to be played, however, with Celtic on friendly duty their match against Dunfermline has been postponed, while Hearts’ fixture against Dundee United is being played on the Sunday due to the Jambos European exploits in midweek.

Saturday Fixtures:

St. Johnstone vs. Rangers - 12:00

Stupid time for a kick-off, with even the half twelve kick off being at a better time than this. Both teams will be looking for wins to really get them started in the league, after both could only gain a point in their first fixtures. Gers boss Ally McCoist will be looking to ease the tension within the Ibrox support with a comfortable win in his first away fixture, while Derek McInnes will be hoping his Saints side can pile more pressure on the rookie manager. Rangers should get the points, however I did say the same last week.

St. Johnstone 0 - 2 Rangers

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Inverness vs. Hibs - 15:00

Caley looked very toothless against Motherwell in their opening fixture, going down 3-0 at Fir Park, while Hibs were beaten by a very good side in Celtic. With these two teams being the only sides without a point already, they will both be looking for that victory to get them off the mark. I firmly believe that this will be a battle, and while Hibs may look the better prospect on paper, their record at Caley is horrendous and I can see a scoring draw being the most likely of results.

Inverness 1 - 1 Hibs

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Kilmarnock vs. Motherwell - 15:00

Complete opposite to the previous fixture as both these teams got very decent starts to their campaign, Motherwell defeating Inverness convincingly and Killie gaining a point in a very entertaining match against Dundee United. Kenny Shiels will be looking to get his first win as Killie manager and get the monkey off his back of not having won, while Motherwell look to continue their 100% start to the season. Both teams are likely to be disappointed as again a draw looks like the best option.

Kilmarnock 2 - 2 Motherwell

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St. Mirren vs. Aberdeen - 15:00

Both of these teams will probably have felt they could have done better in their first fixture, St. Mirren controlling their game against Dunfermline, missing a penalty as well, while Aberdeen did everything but score against St. Johnstone. Aberdeen with Craig Brown in charge should be able to keep a solid back line against keep Steven Thompson at bay, while their decent attacking options should give them their first win of the season.

St. Mirren 1 - 2 Aberdeen

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