Aberdeen v Hearts (KO 7.45)
Aberdeen
Injuries - none
Suspended - Pawlett
Available Squad - Brown, Jack, Megginson, Mawene, Considine, Foster, Clark, Milsom, Osbourne, Arnason, Magennis, Mackie, Vernon, Fallon, Gonzalez, Chalali, McArdle, Robertson, Fyvie.
Probable XI: Brown, Foster, Cosidine, Mawene, Jack, Milsom, Arnason, Osbourne, Fyvie, Vernon, Fallon (4-4-2)
Hearts
Injuries - Grainger, Kyle, Glen, Santana
Leaving - Stevenson, Jonsson (doubt either will play, mind you Driver did come off the bench on Saturday)
Available Squad - Kello, Barr, Hamill, Webster, Zaliukas, Mrowiec, Driver, Taouil, Templeton, Robinson, Skacel, Novikovas, Elliott, MacDonald, Obua, MacDonald, McGowan, Black
Probable XI : Kello, Hamill, Webster, Zaliukas, McGowan, Taouil, Black, Mrowiec, Robinson, Templeton, Elliot (4-4-1-1)
Prediction : Aberdeen 1-1 Hearts
Will be taking the under 2.5 goals here!
______________________________________________________________________
Rangers v Celtic (KO 7.45)
Rangers
Injuries - None
Suspended - Goian
Available Squad - McGregor, Whittaker, Papac, Bocanegra, Bartley, Wallace, Davis, McCulloch, Wylde, Edu, Lafferty, Aluko, Jelavic, Alexander, Broadfoot, Bendiksen, McCabe, Weir
Probable XI: McGregor, Whittaker, Bocanegra, Bartley, Wallace, McCulloch, Davis, Aluko, Wylde, Lafferty, Jelavic (4-4-1-1)
Celtic
Injuries - None
Doubtful - Forrest
Available Squad - Forster, Cha, Matthews, Wanyama, Mulgrew, Ledley, Forrest, Kelvin Wilson, Brown, Kayal, Ki, Rogne, Samaras, Bangura, Hooper, Stokes, Zaluska, Izaguirre, McCourt, McGeouch
Probable XI -Forster, Izaguirre, Wanyama, Mulgrew, Ledley, Kayal, Forest, Brown, Ki, Hooper, Samaras (4-4-2)
Prediction - Celtic 1-0 Rangers
I have a sneaky feeling Celtic might unleash Izaguirre in this match. Stokes is now fit but Lennon normally goes with the big greek donkey in old firm games. Celtic have a lot of confidence going into this game but Rangers can make themselves very hard to beat. It will take Celtic at their very best to win. I dont think there will be many goals in the game so I think Under 2.5 might be a good shout.
One thing I know for sure is Glasgow will be like a war zone tomorrow night with a 7.45pm game!
______________________________________________________
Hibs v Inverness CT (KO 7.45)
Hibs
Injuries - Osbourne
Available Squad - Stack, Hart, Towell, O'Hanlon, Hanlon, Sproule, Wotherspoon, Palsson, Scott, O'Connor, Sodje, Galbraith, Agogo, Brown, Stevenson, Stephens, Booth, Murray, Welsh.
Probable XI: Stack, Hart, O'Hanlon, Hanlon, Stephens, Wotherspoon, Palsson Scott, Sproule, Griffiths, O'Connor (4-4-2)
Inverness CT
Injuries -Chippendale, Proctor Tudur Jones
Available Squad - Esson, Gillet, Tokely, Golobart, G Shinnie, Cox, Hayes, Davis, Tansey, A Shinnie, Tade, McKay, Sutherland, Tuffey, Piermayr, Ross, Morrison, Doran
Probable XI : Esson, Piermayr, Gillet, Shinnie, Golobart, Davis, Tansey, Hayes, Cox, Shinnie, Tade (4-4-2)
Prediction : Hibs 1-1 Inverness CT
Hibs are a shambles! They just signed Eion Doyle but I don't think he is aloud to play till the transfer window opens up. This game will be ugly as Hibs are getting desperate for points and especially at home. NO BET
______________________________________________________________________
Motherwell v Dunfermline (KO 7.45)
Motherwell
Injuries - Saunders
Suspended - Jennings
Available Squad - Randolph, Hateley, Hammell, Craigan, Hutchinson, Hughes, Lasley, Law, Daley, Murphy, Higdon, Humphrey, Forbes, Carswell, Page, McHugh, Clancy, Bradley
Probable XI: Randolph, Hateley, Craigan, Hammell, Daley, Lasley, Hughes, Law, Murphy, higdon (4-4-1-1)
Dunfermline
Injuries - Gallacher, Easton, Rutkiewicz , McCann, Phinn, Bell, McDougall
Available Squad - Smith, J Thomson, Keddie, Dowie, Potter, Graham, R Thomson, Kirk, Boyle, Willis, Buchanan, Barrowman, Mason, Hardie, Byrne, Goodfellow, Burns, Cardle.
Probable XI : Smith, Thomson, Dowie, Keddie, Boyle, Willis, Hardie, Burns , Cardle, Barrowman, Kirk (4-4-2)
Prediction : Motherwell 2-0 Dunfermline
The fact that the best price on a Motherwell win is 1.5 says a lot about Dunfermline. They are rubbish and still have far too many injuries to cope in the top league. Dunfermline may stop Hibs getting relegated which is unfortunate!
Hearts absolutely smashed Well on Saturday which I was surprised at but I think they will bounce back. I'm taking Motherwell -1 @1.9 As my BET of the DAY
______________________________________________________________________
St Johnstone v Kilmarnock (KO 7.45)
St Johnstone
Injuries - Wright, Sheridan
Available Squad - Enckelman, Maybury, Mackay, C Davidson, Anderson, McCracken, Morris, M Davidson, Craig, Moon, Millar, Sandaza, Finnigan, Haber, Parkin, Durnan, McIntosh, Mannus
Probable XI: Enckelman, Mackay, Anderson, McCracken, C Davidson, Millar, Morris, M Davidson, Craig, Haber, Sandaza (4-4-2)
Kilmarnock
Injuries - Gros, O'Leary
Available Squad - Bell, Fowler, Pascali, Sissoko, Hay, Kennedy, Shiels, Racchi, Kelly, McKeown, Buijs, Dayton, Heffernan, Harkins, Jaakkola, Kroca, Pursehouse, Fisher
Probable XI - Bell, Fowler, Pascali, Sissoko, Hay, Shiels, Kelly, McKeown, Buijs, Harkins, Heffernan (4-4-2)
Prediction - St Johnstone 1-1 Kilmarnock
Real trappy game this one its a classic either team could win and it could also be a draw..............NO BET
______________________________________________________________________
St Mirren v Dundee Utd (KO 7.45)
St Mirren
Injuries - None
Available Squad - Samson, Mair, van Zanten, McAusland, Barron, Tesselaar, Carey, Teale, Mooy, Murray, McLean, Thompson, Hasselbaink, McGowan, McShane, Thomson, Haddad, Smith
Probable XI: Samson, Van Zanten, Mair, McAusland, Tesslaar, Carey, Barron, McLean, McGowan, Thompson, Hasselbaink (4-4-2)
Dundee Utd
Injuries - Swanson, Severin
Available Squad - Pernis, Douglas, Dixon, Dillon, Neilson, Watson, Kenneth, Gunning, Smith, Allan, Flood, Rankin, Armstrong, Robertson, Mackay-Steven, Hilson, Dow, Russell, Daly, Dalla Valle, Banks
Probable XI - Pernis, Neilson, Dillon, Gunning, Dixon, Armstrong, Robertson, Rankin, Mackay-Stevens, Daly, Russell (4-3-3)
Prediction : St Mirren 2-1 Dundee Utd
Over 2.5 goals is 2.1 (stan James) This looks a good bet to me.
www.thefootytipster.com - free tips on worldwide football betting!
Wednesday 28 December 2011
Friday 23 December 2011
SPL Team News - Christmas Eve matches
Inverness CT v Aberdeen (KO 12.30pm)
Inverness CT
Injuries - Doran, Chippendale, Meekings, Proctor, Tudur Jones, Hogg
Available Squad - Esson, Gillet, Tokely, Golobart, Graeme Shinnie, Cox, Hayes, Davis, Tansey, Andrew Shinnie, Tade, McKay, Sutherland, Tuffey, Piermayr, Ross, Morrison
Possible XI - Esson, Piermayr, Tokely, Golobart, G Shinnie, Davies, Tansey, Foran, A Shinnie, Hayes, Tade (4-4-1-1)
Aberdeen
Injuries - Folly, Chalali
Suspended - Pawlett
Doubtful - Fallon
Available Squad Gonzalez, Mawene, Clark, Mackie, Magennis, Megginson, Brown, McArdle, Foster, Milsom, Arnason, Osbourne, Fyvie , Jack, Vernon, Fallon
Possible XI - Brown, Foster Mawene, Considine, Osbourne, Milsom, Jack, Fyvie, Arnason, Vernon, Fallon (4-4-2)
Prediction - Inverness 2-1 Aberdeen
Inverness generally don't do very well in this fixture and for me Aberdeen are getting marginally better as the season goes on (mind you they couldn't get any worse...) but if Inverness can play the same way as they played at Ibrox last week they will win with ease, still don't know how they didn't score a 2nd in Glasgow. Inverness DNB @ 1.75 (Boylesport)
__________________________________________________
St Mirren v Rangers (KO 12.45pm)
St Mirren
Injuries - None
Suspended - Goodwin
Available Squad - Samson, van Zanten, McAusland, Barron, Tesselaar, Carey, Teale, McLean, Thompson, McGowan, Hasselbaink, Mooy, Haddad, Smith, McKee, Murray, McShane, Thomson, Mair
Possible XI - Samson, Van Zanten, Mair, McAusland, Tesselaar, McGowan, McLean, Mooy, Teale, Thompson, Hasselbaink (4-4-2)
Rangers
Injuries - Weir, Naismith
Available Squad - McGregor, Whittaker, Papac, Bendiksen, Bocanegra, Wallace, Bartley, Davis, Edu, McCulloch, Wylde, Bedoya, Lafferty, Jelavic, Broadfoot, Alexander, McCabe, Aluko, Goian
Possible XI - McGregor, Whittaker, Goian, Bocanegra, Wallace, Aluko, McCulloch, Davies, Wylde, Lafferty, Jelavic (4-4-2)
Prediction - St Mirren 0-2 Rangers
Rangers have Aluko back from suspension and I reckon he is the man that can make the difference similar to the job Naismith did before his injury. Rangers are very solid at the back and have only let in 2 away goals all season (9 in total) so I think the 2.3 (Paddy Power) on offer for Only Rangers to Score is a gift from Santa............
__________________________________________________
Hearts v Motherwell (KO 1pm)
Hearts
Injuries - Grainger, Kyle, Barr, Glen, Santana
Walked out on Club - Stevenson , Jonsson, Driver (all wont play)
Available Squad - Kello, Hamill, Webster, Zaliukas, Mrowiec, Jonsson, Driver, Taouil, Templeton, Robinson, Skacel, Novikovas, Elliott, MacDonald, Obua, MacDonald, McGowan, Black
Possible XI - Kello, Hamill, Webster, Zaliukas, McGowan, Templeton, Black, Mrowiec, Robinson, Taouil, Elliott (4-4-1-1)
Motherwell
Injuries - Saunders
Suspended - Jennings
Available Squad - Randolph, Hateley, Hammell, Craigan, Hutchinson, Hughes, Lasley, Law, Daley, Murphy, Higdon, Humphrey, Forbes, Carswell, Page, McHugh, Clancy, Bradley
Possible XI - Randolph, Hateley, Hutchison, Craigan, Hammell, Humphrey, Lasley, Law, Hughes, Higdon, Murphy (4-4-2)
Prediction - Hearts 1-2 Motherwell
I could talk about the shambles of my poor Hearts team all day but I think the current events with Jonsson transfering and Stevenson walking out and Driver basically saying he is leaving also really has to affect the teams morale and performance. As the Motherwell manager says Hearts may be dangerous as players will be wanting to put themselves in the shop window for a January transfer. Hearts played great last week but that was against a terrible Dunfermline side. Motherwell are a cracking side that play great football and strangely get some of their best results away from home.
Motherwell's away record is great (7W 1D 1W)
Given all that is happening at Tynecastle I think it is a great spot to take an away win @ 3.5 (bet365) or take the Motherwell DNB @ 2.63 (Betfred) for a bit of saftey.
__________________________________________________
Celtic v Kilmarnock (KO 1.30pm)
Celtic
Injuries - Majstorovic, Commons, Matthews, Loovens
Doubful -Stokes
Available Squad - Forster, Cha, Izaguirre, McCourt, Ledley, Rogne, Mulgrew, Wanyama, Ki, Brown, Forrest, Kayal, McGeouch, Hooper, Bangura, Samaras, Stokes, Zaluska, Kelvin Wilson, Blackman, Twardzik
Possible XI - Forster, Cha, Wanyama, Rogne, Mulgrew, Kayal, Brown, Forrest, Ledley, Samaras, Hooper (4-4-2)
Kilmarnock
Injuries - Gros, O'Leary
Doubtful - Shiels
Available Squad - Bell, Pursehouse, McKeown, Pascali, Kroca, Sissoko, Hay, Harkins, Shiels, Dayton, Silva, Kelly, Heffernan, Kennedy, Fisher, Buijs, Jaakkola, Racchi, Fowler
Possible XI - Bell, Pursehouse, Kroca, Pascali, McKeown, Fowler, Silva, Hay, Harkins, Kelly, Heffernan (4-5-1)
Prediction - Celtic 2-0 Kilmarnock
Obviously with Majstorovic's horror facial injury last week Celtic are really short at the back, but I reckon that is not a bad thing as the players filling in are probably better! I reckon Lennon will save Stokes who is carrying a knock for the old firm match so it could be big greek pudding Samaras up front with Hooper.
Killie managed a 1-1 draw in this fixture last year but with the momentum and the fact that Celtic absolutely must maintain just a 4pt gap with Rangers ahead of the 28th showdown I really don't think we will see an upset here. If it had been at Kilmarnock it would have been more interesting but at home its a Celtic win! Side bet on Forrest to score @ 3.1 (bet365)
__________________________________________________
Dundee Utd v Hibs (KO 1.30pm)
Dundee Utd
Injuries - Swanson, Severin
Available Squad - Pernis, Douglas, Dixon, Dillon, Neilson, Watson, Kenneth, Gunning, Smith, Allan, Flood, Rankin, Armstrong, Robertson, Mackay-Steven, Hilson, Dow, Russell, Daly, Dalla Valle, Banks
Possible XI - Pernis, Dillon, Kenneth, Dixon, Neilson, Armstrong, Flood, Robertson, Allan, Daly, Russell (4-4-2)
Hibs
Injuries - Osbourne
Available Squad - Stack, Hart, Towell, O'Hanlon, Hanlon, Sproule, Wotherspoon, Palsson, Scott, O'Connor, Sodje, Galbraith, Agogo, Brown, Stevenson, Stephens, Booth, Murray, Welsh, Griffiths
Possible XI - Stack, Hart, Hanlon, O'Hanlon, Stevenson, Wotherspoon, Scott, Stephens, Sproule, Griffiths, O'Connor (4-4-2)
Prediction - Dundee Utd 1-1 Hibs
Dirty Hibees have a real problem scoring enough goals to win matches, basically if the other team score its unlikely Hibs will win the match. Hibs have only 16 goals from 18 matches. This is a little surprising as Sproule, Griffiths and O'Connor are certainlly dangerous upfront, problem is the rest of the team is poor. Dundee Utd have been really bad this season though with basically the same team as last year. I'm going with a draw here and reckon the price on Dundee Utd is a massive LAY opportunity!
__________________________________________________
Dunfermline v St Johnstone (KO 1.30pm)
Dunfermline
Injuries - Gallacher, McCann, Phinn, Thomson, Rutkiewicz, Bell, McDougall
Available Squad - Keddie, Dowie, Potter, Graham, R Thomson, Kirk, Boyle, Willis, Buchanan, Barrowman, Smith, Mason, Hardie, Young, Clarke, Byrne, Smith, Campbell, Burns, Cardle, Easton
Probable XI : Smith, Dowie, Keddie, Potter, R. Thomson, Burns, Mason, Hardie, Cardle, Barrowman, Kirk (4-4-2)
St Johnstone
Injuries - Wright, Sheridan, Robertson
Available Squad - Enckelman, Maybury, Mackay, C Davidson, Anderson, McCracken, Morris, M Davidson, Craig, Moon, Millar, Sandaza, Finnigan, Haber, Parkin, Durnan, McIntosh, Mannus
Possible XI : Enckelman, C. Davidson, Anderson, McCracken, Maybury, Craig, Moon, Millar, Morris, Sandaza, Haber (4-4-2)
Prediction - Dunfermline 0-1 St Johnstone
Rather embarrassingly Dunfermline are still searching for their first home win of the season, which is just not really good enough. St Johnstone too are not in the best form coming off 3 home defeats in a row but this was noticably when their main players Sheridan & Sandaza have been out injured. I'm expecting Sandaza back for this game but Sheridan is still out (and also now a laughing stock in Scotland after sporting a horrendous jumper on BBC Sportscene last week
http://www.onlyanexcuse.com/2011/12/19/4594/cillian-sheridans-jumper-and-other-football-fashion-misdemeanors/ )
I see St Johnstone just doing enough to scrape a win, but a draw wouldn't surprise me. NO BET and no interest in St Johnstone......
Inverness CT
Injuries - Doran, Chippendale, Meekings, Proctor, Tudur Jones, Hogg
Available Squad - Esson, Gillet, Tokely, Golobart, Graeme Shinnie, Cox, Hayes, Davis, Tansey, Andrew Shinnie, Tade, McKay, Sutherland, Tuffey, Piermayr, Ross, Morrison
Possible XI - Esson, Piermayr, Tokely, Golobart, G Shinnie, Davies, Tansey, Foran, A Shinnie, Hayes, Tade (4-4-1-1)
Aberdeen
Injuries - Folly, Chalali
Suspended - Pawlett
Doubtful - Fallon
Available Squad Gonzalez, Mawene, Clark, Mackie, Magennis, Megginson, Brown, McArdle, Foster, Milsom, Arnason, Osbourne, Fyvie , Jack, Vernon, Fallon
Possible XI - Brown, Foster Mawene, Considine, Osbourne, Milsom, Jack, Fyvie, Arnason, Vernon, Fallon (4-4-2)
Prediction - Inverness 2-1 Aberdeen
Inverness generally don't do very well in this fixture and for me Aberdeen are getting marginally better as the season goes on (mind you they couldn't get any worse...) but if Inverness can play the same way as they played at Ibrox last week they will win with ease, still don't know how they didn't score a 2nd in Glasgow. Inverness DNB @ 1.75 (Boylesport)
__________________________________________________
St Mirren v Rangers (KO 12.45pm)
St Mirren
Injuries - None
Suspended - Goodwin
Available Squad - Samson, van Zanten, McAusland, Barron, Tesselaar, Carey, Teale, McLean, Thompson, McGowan, Hasselbaink, Mooy, Haddad, Smith, McKee, Murray, McShane, Thomson, Mair
Possible XI - Samson, Van Zanten, Mair, McAusland, Tesselaar, McGowan, McLean, Mooy, Teale, Thompson, Hasselbaink (4-4-2)
Rangers
Injuries - Weir, Naismith
Available Squad - McGregor, Whittaker, Papac, Bendiksen, Bocanegra, Wallace, Bartley, Davis, Edu, McCulloch, Wylde, Bedoya, Lafferty, Jelavic, Broadfoot, Alexander, McCabe, Aluko, Goian
Possible XI - McGregor, Whittaker, Goian, Bocanegra, Wallace, Aluko, McCulloch, Davies, Wylde, Lafferty, Jelavic (4-4-2)
Prediction - St Mirren 0-2 Rangers
Rangers have Aluko back from suspension and I reckon he is the man that can make the difference similar to the job Naismith did before his injury. Rangers are very solid at the back and have only let in 2 away goals all season (9 in total) so I think the 2.3 (Paddy Power) on offer for Only Rangers to Score is a gift from Santa............
__________________________________________________
Hearts v Motherwell (KO 1pm)
Hearts
Injuries - Grainger, Kyle, Barr, Glen, Santana
Walked out on Club - Stevenson , Jonsson, Driver (all wont play)
Available Squad - Kello, Hamill, Webster, Zaliukas, Mrowiec, Jonsson, Driver, Taouil, Templeton, Robinson, Skacel, Novikovas, Elliott, MacDonald, Obua, MacDonald, McGowan, Black
Possible XI - Kello, Hamill, Webster, Zaliukas, McGowan, Templeton, Black, Mrowiec, Robinson, Taouil, Elliott (4-4-1-1)
Motherwell
Injuries - Saunders
Suspended - Jennings
Available Squad - Randolph, Hateley, Hammell, Craigan, Hutchinson, Hughes, Lasley, Law, Daley, Murphy, Higdon, Humphrey, Forbes, Carswell, Page, McHugh, Clancy, Bradley
Possible XI - Randolph, Hateley, Hutchison, Craigan, Hammell, Humphrey, Lasley, Law, Hughes, Higdon, Murphy (4-4-2)
Prediction - Hearts 1-2 Motherwell
I could talk about the shambles of my poor Hearts team all day but I think the current events with Jonsson transfering and Stevenson walking out and Driver basically saying he is leaving also really has to affect the teams morale and performance. As the Motherwell manager says Hearts may be dangerous as players will be wanting to put themselves in the shop window for a January transfer. Hearts played great last week but that was against a terrible Dunfermline side. Motherwell are a cracking side that play great football and strangely get some of their best results away from home.
Motherwell's away record is great (7W 1D 1W)
Given all that is happening at Tynecastle I think it is a great spot to take an away win @ 3.5 (bet365) or take the Motherwell DNB @ 2.63 (Betfred) for a bit of saftey.
__________________________________________________
Celtic v Kilmarnock (KO 1.30pm)
Celtic
Injuries - Majstorovic, Commons, Matthews, Loovens
Doubful -Stokes
Available Squad - Forster, Cha, Izaguirre, McCourt, Ledley, Rogne, Mulgrew, Wanyama, Ki, Brown, Forrest, Kayal, McGeouch, Hooper, Bangura, Samaras, Stokes, Zaluska, Kelvin Wilson, Blackman, Twardzik
Possible XI - Forster, Cha, Wanyama, Rogne, Mulgrew, Kayal, Brown, Forrest, Ledley, Samaras, Hooper (4-4-2)
Kilmarnock
Injuries - Gros, O'Leary
Doubtful - Shiels
Available Squad - Bell, Pursehouse, McKeown, Pascali, Kroca, Sissoko, Hay, Harkins, Shiels, Dayton, Silva, Kelly, Heffernan, Kennedy, Fisher, Buijs, Jaakkola, Racchi, Fowler
Possible XI - Bell, Pursehouse, Kroca, Pascali, McKeown, Fowler, Silva, Hay, Harkins, Kelly, Heffernan (4-5-1)
Prediction - Celtic 2-0 Kilmarnock
Obviously with Majstorovic's horror facial injury last week Celtic are really short at the back, but I reckon that is not a bad thing as the players filling in are probably better! I reckon Lennon will save Stokes who is carrying a knock for the old firm match so it could be big greek pudding Samaras up front with Hooper.
Killie managed a 1-1 draw in this fixture last year but with the momentum and the fact that Celtic absolutely must maintain just a 4pt gap with Rangers ahead of the 28th showdown I really don't think we will see an upset here. If it had been at Kilmarnock it would have been more interesting but at home its a Celtic win! Side bet on Forrest to score @ 3.1 (bet365)
__________________________________________________
Dundee Utd v Hibs (KO 1.30pm)
Dundee Utd
Injuries - Swanson, Severin
Available Squad - Pernis, Douglas, Dixon, Dillon, Neilson, Watson, Kenneth, Gunning, Smith, Allan, Flood, Rankin, Armstrong, Robertson, Mackay-Steven, Hilson, Dow, Russell, Daly, Dalla Valle, Banks
Possible XI - Pernis, Dillon, Kenneth, Dixon, Neilson, Armstrong, Flood, Robertson, Allan, Daly, Russell (4-4-2)
Hibs
Injuries - Osbourne
Available Squad - Stack, Hart, Towell, O'Hanlon, Hanlon, Sproule, Wotherspoon, Palsson, Scott, O'Connor, Sodje, Galbraith, Agogo, Brown, Stevenson, Stephens, Booth, Murray, Welsh, Griffiths
Possible XI - Stack, Hart, Hanlon, O'Hanlon, Stevenson, Wotherspoon, Scott, Stephens, Sproule, Griffiths, O'Connor (4-4-2)
Prediction - Dundee Utd 1-1 Hibs
Dirty Hibees have a real problem scoring enough goals to win matches, basically if the other team score its unlikely Hibs will win the match. Hibs have only 16 goals from 18 matches. This is a little surprising as Sproule, Griffiths and O'Connor are certainlly dangerous upfront, problem is the rest of the team is poor. Dundee Utd have been really bad this season though with basically the same team as last year. I'm going with a draw here and reckon the price on Dundee Utd is a massive LAY opportunity!
__________________________________________________
Dunfermline v St Johnstone (KO 1.30pm)
Dunfermline
Injuries - Gallacher, McCann, Phinn, Thomson, Rutkiewicz, Bell, McDougall
Available Squad - Keddie, Dowie, Potter, Graham, R Thomson, Kirk, Boyle, Willis, Buchanan, Barrowman, Smith, Mason, Hardie, Young, Clarke, Byrne, Smith, Campbell, Burns, Cardle, Easton
Probable XI : Smith, Dowie, Keddie, Potter, R. Thomson, Burns, Mason, Hardie, Cardle, Barrowman, Kirk (4-4-2)
St Johnstone
Injuries - Wright, Sheridan, Robertson
Available Squad - Enckelman, Maybury, Mackay, C Davidson, Anderson, McCracken, Morris, M Davidson, Craig, Moon, Millar, Sandaza, Finnigan, Haber, Parkin, Durnan, McIntosh, Mannus
Possible XI : Enckelman, C. Davidson, Anderson, McCracken, Maybury, Craig, Moon, Millar, Morris, Sandaza, Haber (4-4-2)
Prediction - Dunfermline 0-1 St Johnstone
Rather embarrassingly Dunfermline are still searching for their first home win of the season, which is just not really good enough. St Johnstone too are not in the best form coming off 3 home defeats in a row but this was noticably when their main players Sheridan & Sandaza have been out injured. I'm expecting Sandaza back for this game but Sheridan is still out (and also now a laughing stock in Scotland after sporting a horrendous jumper on BBC Sportscene last week
http://www.onlyanexcuse.com/2011/12/19/4594/cillian-sheridans-jumper-and-other-football-fashion-misdemeanors/ )
I see St Johnstone just doing enough to scrape a win, but a draw wouldn't surprise me. NO BET and no interest in St Johnstone......
Friday 30 September 2011
SPL Weekend Team News/Quick thoughts
Dundee Utd v Motherwell
Dundee Utd
Injuries: Sean Dillon, Scott Severin
Available Squad: Pernis, Douglas, Dixon, Watson, Kenneth, Gunning, Smith, Allan, Flood, Rankin, Armstrong, Robertson, Mackay-Steven, Hilson, Dow, Marsh-Brown, Russell, Daly, Dalle Valle, Banks.
Probable XI : Pernis, Watson, Kenneth, Dixon, Gunning, Swanson, Flood, Rankin, Robertson, Daly, Russell (4-4-2)
Motherwell
Injuries: Shaun Hutchinson, Steven Saunders
Available Squad: Randolph, Hateley, Hammell, Clancy, Craigan, Lasley, Jennings, Humphrey, Law, Higdon, Murphy, Daley, Forbes, McHugh, Carswell, Lawless, Page, Hollis.
Probable XI : Randolph, Hately, Clancy, Craigan, Hammell, Humphrey, Jennings, Lasley, Law, Higdon, Murphy (4-4-2)
Prediction - Dundee Utd 2-1 Motherwell
Real tough call this one, anytime I like Dundee Utd they let me down lately. I think the over 2.5 is a good prospect here though, Motherwell have been involved in overs in 6 of their last 7 games.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inverness CT v St Mirren
Inverness CT
Injuries: Chris Hogg, Owain Tudur Jones, Jonny Hayes, Aaron Doran, Josh Meekings, Lee Cox
Available Squad: Esson, Tokely, Golobart, Ross, Sutherland, Foran, Tade, Piermayr, G Shinnie, A Shinnie, Meekings, Gillet, Chippendale, Davis, McKay, Tansey, Proctor, Tuffey.
Probable XI : Esson, Piermayr, Tokely, Proctor, G. Shinnie, Chippendale, Davis, Tansey, Ross, Tade, Foran (4-4-2)
St Mirren
Injuries: Hugh Murray, Aaron Mooy, Darron McGregor, David Barron
Available Squad: Samson, van Zanten, Mair, McAusland, Tesselaar, McLean, Thomson, Goodwin, Teale, Hasselbaink, McGowan, Thompson, McShane, Smith, Carey, Barron, Haddad, McKee
Probable XI : Samson, Van Zanten, McAusland, Mair, Tesselaar, Thomson, McLean, Goodwin, Hasselbaink, Teale, Thompson (4-3-3)
Prediction - Inverness CT 0-0 St Mirren
Terry Butcher and his troops are in real big trouble this season, I can only see Dunfermline being possibly worse and saving them from relegation. Scoring goals is a big problem for both Caly and St Mirren with only 15 between them for the season so far, very poor to say the least. would have taken the Under here but the bookies are wise to it and only 1.65 on offer doesn't interest me. NO BET
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kilmarnock v St Johnstone
Kilmarnock
Injuries: Leon Panikvar, David Silva, Danny Buijs , Ryan O'Leary
Available Squad: Bell, McKeown, Fowler, Sissoko, Kroca, Fisher, Harkins, Dayton, Shiels, Hay, Pascali, Kelly, Heffernan, Hutchinson, Jaakkola, Racchi, Pursehouse, Galan.
Probable XI : Bell, Fowler, Kroca, Sissoko, McKeown, Dayton, Pascali, Hay, Hutchinson, Heffernan, Shiels (4-4-2)
St Johnstone
Injuries: Sean Higgins, Frazer Wright, Sam Parkin, Callum Davidson, Graham Gartland, Murray Davidson, Jody Morris
Available Squad: Enckelman, Maybury, Gibson, McCracken, Haber, MacKay, Anderson, Morris, Craig, Millar, Moon, Robertson, Sheridan, Sandaza, Caddis, May, Durnan, Mannus.
Probable XI : Enckelman, MacKay, McCracken, Anderson, Maybury, Moon, Millar, Gibson, Craig, Sandaza, Sheridan (4-4-2)
Prediction - Kilmarnock 1-0 St Johnstone
Both teams here are seriously handicaped with injuries, probably more so St Johnstone. Fair to say St J's win over Hearts last week really pissed me off, so I am going to continue to go against St Johnstone till I win...................lol
Kilmarnock to win @2.25 (Ladbrokes)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rangers v Hibs
Rangers
Injuries: Kyle Bartley, Kane Hemmings
Suspended ; Steven Naismith
Available Squad: McGregor, Whittaker, Papac, Broadfoot, Bocanegra, Ortiz, Wallace, Goian, Wylde, Davis, Edu, Lafferty, Bedoya, Jelavic, McCabe, Perry, Healy, Alexander, Weir, McCulloch, McKay.
Probable XI : McGregor, Whittaker, Bocanegra, Goian, Papac, Ortiz, Edu, davis, Edu, Wylde, Lafferty, Jelavic (4-4-2)
Hibs
Injuries: Danny Galbraith, Matt Thornhill
Available Squad: Stack, Towell, Murray, O'Hanlon, Hanlon, Booth, Sproule, Wotherspoon, Palsson, Osbourne, Scott, O'Connor, Sodje, Griffiths, Agogo, Brown, Stevenson, Stephens.
Probable XI : Stack, Towell, O'hanlon, Hanlon, Murray, Sproule, Palsson, Osbourne, Scott, O'Connor, Griffiths (4-4-2)
Prediction - Rangers 3-1 Hibs
Rangers will be looking for a bit of revenge for the 3-0 lose to Hibs at Ibrox last season. I think Hibs with the pace of Sproule and inform O'Connor can clause some problems but at the end of the day their bollocks defence will get punished at the other end. Again Rangers will miss banned Naismith but I think a comfy win here. Might chance HIBS TO SCORE @evens
www.thefootytipster.com - free tips on worldwide football betting!
Dundee Utd
Injuries: Sean Dillon, Scott Severin
Available Squad: Pernis, Douglas, Dixon, Watson, Kenneth, Gunning, Smith, Allan, Flood, Rankin, Armstrong, Robertson, Mackay-Steven, Hilson, Dow, Marsh-Brown, Russell, Daly, Dalle Valle, Banks.
Probable XI : Pernis, Watson, Kenneth, Dixon, Gunning, Swanson, Flood, Rankin, Robertson, Daly, Russell (4-4-2)
Motherwell
Injuries: Shaun Hutchinson, Steven Saunders
Available Squad: Randolph, Hateley, Hammell, Clancy, Craigan, Lasley, Jennings, Humphrey, Law, Higdon, Murphy, Daley, Forbes, McHugh, Carswell, Lawless, Page, Hollis.
Probable XI : Randolph, Hately, Clancy, Craigan, Hammell, Humphrey, Jennings, Lasley, Law, Higdon, Murphy (4-4-2)
Prediction - Dundee Utd 2-1 Motherwell
Real tough call this one, anytime I like Dundee Utd they let me down lately. I think the over 2.5 is a good prospect here though, Motherwell have been involved in overs in 6 of their last 7 games.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inverness CT v St Mirren
Inverness CT
Injuries: Chris Hogg, Owain Tudur Jones, Jonny Hayes, Aaron Doran, Josh Meekings, Lee Cox
Available Squad: Esson, Tokely, Golobart, Ross, Sutherland, Foran, Tade, Piermayr, G Shinnie, A Shinnie, Meekings, Gillet, Chippendale, Davis, McKay, Tansey, Proctor, Tuffey.
Probable XI : Esson, Piermayr, Tokely, Proctor, G. Shinnie, Chippendale, Davis, Tansey, Ross, Tade, Foran (4-4-2)
St Mirren
Injuries: Hugh Murray, Aaron Mooy, Darron McGregor, David Barron
Available Squad: Samson, van Zanten, Mair, McAusland, Tesselaar, McLean, Thomson, Goodwin, Teale, Hasselbaink, McGowan, Thompson, McShane, Smith, Carey, Barron, Haddad, McKee
Probable XI : Samson, Van Zanten, McAusland, Mair, Tesselaar, Thomson, McLean, Goodwin, Hasselbaink, Teale, Thompson (4-3-3)
Prediction - Inverness CT 0-0 St Mirren
Terry Butcher and his troops are in real big trouble this season, I can only see Dunfermline being possibly worse and saving them from relegation. Scoring goals is a big problem for both Caly and St Mirren with only 15 between them for the season so far, very poor to say the least. would have taken the Under here but the bookies are wise to it and only 1.65 on offer doesn't interest me. NO BET
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kilmarnock v St Johnstone
Kilmarnock
Injuries: Leon Panikvar, David Silva, Danny Buijs , Ryan O'Leary
Available Squad: Bell, McKeown, Fowler, Sissoko, Kroca, Fisher, Harkins, Dayton, Shiels, Hay, Pascali, Kelly, Heffernan, Hutchinson, Jaakkola, Racchi, Pursehouse, Galan.
Probable XI : Bell, Fowler, Kroca, Sissoko, McKeown, Dayton, Pascali, Hay, Hutchinson, Heffernan, Shiels (4-4-2)
St Johnstone
Injuries: Sean Higgins, Frazer Wright, Sam Parkin, Callum Davidson, Graham Gartland, Murray Davidson, Jody Morris
Available Squad: Enckelman, Maybury, Gibson, McCracken, Haber, MacKay, Anderson, Morris, Craig, Millar, Moon, Robertson, Sheridan, Sandaza, Caddis, May, Durnan, Mannus.
Probable XI : Enckelman, MacKay, McCracken, Anderson, Maybury, Moon, Millar, Gibson, Craig, Sandaza, Sheridan (4-4-2)
Prediction - Kilmarnock 1-0 St Johnstone
Both teams here are seriously handicaped with injuries, probably more so St Johnstone. Fair to say St J's win over Hearts last week really pissed me off, so I am going to continue to go against St Johnstone till I win...................lol
Kilmarnock to win @2.25 (Ladbrokes)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rangers v Hibs
Rangers
Injuries: Kyle Bartley, Kane Hemmings
Suspended ; Steven Naismith
Available Squad: McGregor, Whittaker, Papac, Broadfoot, Bocanegra, Ortiz, Wallace, Goian, Wylde, Davis, Edu, Lafferty, Bedoya, Jelavic, McCabe, Perry, Healy, Alexander, Weir, McCulloch, McKay.
Probable XI : McGregor, Whittaker, Bocanegra, Goian, Papac, Ortiz, Edu, davis, Edu, Wylde, Lafferty, Jelavic (4-4-2)
Hibs
Injuries: Danny Galbraith, Matt Thornhill
Available Squad: Stack, Towell, Murray, O'Hanlon, Hanlon, Booth, Sproule, Wotherspoon, Palsson, Osbourne, Scott, O'Connor, Sodje, Griffiths, Agogo, Brown, Stevenson, Stephens.
Probable XI : Stack, Towell, O'hanlon, Hanlon, Murray, Sproule, Palsson, Osbourne, Scott, O'Connor, Griffiths (4-4-2)
Prediction - Rangers 3-1 Hibs
Rangers will be looking for a bit of revenge for the 3-0 lose to Hibs at Ibrox last season. I think Hibs with the pace of Sproule and inform O'Connor can clause some problems but at the end of the day their bollocks defence will get punished at the other end. Again Rangers will miss banned Naismith but I think a comfy win here. Might chance HIBS TO SCORE @evens
www.thefootytipster.com - free tips on worldwide football betting!
Friday 23 September 2011
SPL Weekend Team News/Quick thoughts
Dunfermline v Rangers (12.45 KO)
Dunfermline
Injuries : Steven Bell, Nick Phinn, Martin Hardie, Kevin Rutkiewicz, Craig Easton
Available Squad :Gallacher, Smith, J Thomson, McCann, Keddie, Dowie, Mason, Cardle, Burns, R Thomson, Kirk, Barrowman, Graham, Boyle, Potter, Willis, Buchanan, Byrne.
Probable XI: Gallagher, J. Thomson, Keddie, Dowie, McCann, Cardle, R. Thomson, Mason, Graham, Barrowman, Kirk (4-4-2)
Rangers
Injuries : Lee Wallace, David Weir Kyle Bartley
Available Squad : McGregor, Whittaker, Papac, Bocanegra, Goian, Davis, Naismith, Edu, Wylde, Lafferty, McCulloch, Jelavic, Healy, Ortiz, Broadfoot, Perry, Fleck, Alexander.
Probable XI : McGregor, Papac, Goin, Bocanegra, Whittaker, Ortiz, Edu, Davis, Naismith, Lafferty, Jelavic (4-4-2)
Prediction - Dunfermline 0-3 Rangers
I can see Rangers having a blow out here following their shock/embarrassing exit from the cup at Falkirk midweek. I remember Rangers giving them a 7-2 pasting in the cup last year. RANGERS -1 A/H
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Celtic v Inverness CT (3pm KO)
Celtic
Injuries : Emilio Izaguirre, Scott Brown, Cha Du Ri, Kelvin Wilson, Kris Commons
Suspended : Charlie Mulgrew
Available Squad: Forster, Matthews, Majstorovic, Mark Wilson, Wanyama, El Kaddouri, Stokes, Bangura, Ledley, Kayal, Forrest, Hooper, George, Zaluska, Rogne, McCourt, Samaras, Loovens.
Probable XI : Forster, M Wilson, Majstorovic, Loovens, El Kaddouri, Forrest, Ki, Kayal, Ledley, Stokes, Hooper (4-4-2)
Inverness CT
Injuries: Johnny Hayes, Owain Tudor-Jones, Josh Meekings, Lee Cox
Doubtful : Gavin Morrison, Richie Foran
Available Squad: Esson, Tokely, Golobart, Ross, Sutherland, Foran, Tade, Piermayr, G Shinnie, A Shinnie, Morrison, Gillet, Chippendale, Davis, McKay, Tansey, Proctor, Tuffey.
Probable XI : Esson, Piermayr, Tokely, Proctor, G. Shinnie, Davies, Tansey, A. Shinnie, Ross, Tade, Foran (4-4-2)
Prediction - Celtic 3-0 Inverness CT
Injuries are starting to mount up for Celtic but they have a big enough squad to handle it. Although Inverness managed a draw last time at Celtic Park it really isn't happy hunting ground for them having lost every other previous game there. Celtic's midfield is too dominant for ICT and will control the game. CELTIC TO WIN TO NIL looks a decent chance.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hibs v Dundee Utd (3pm KO)
Hibs
Injuries: Danny Galbraith, Matt Thornhill, Sean Welsh, Phil Airey, Micheal Hart
Available Squad: Stack, Towell, Murray, O'Hanlon, Hanlon, Booth, Sproule, Wotherspoon, Palsson, Osbourne, Scott, O'Connor, Sodje, Griffiths, Agogo, Brown, Stevenson, Stephens.
Probable XI: Stack, Towell, O'Hanlon, Hanlon, Booth, Sproule, Osbourne, Palsson, Murray, O'Connor, Griffiths (4-4-2)
Dundee Utd
Injuries: Scott Severin,
Doubtful : Scott Allen (has refused to sign a new contract) Sean Dillon
Available Squad: Pernis, Douglas, Dixon, Watson, Dillon, Kenneth, Gunning, Smith, Allan, Flood, Rankin, Armstrong, Robertson, Mackay-Steven, Hilson, Dow, Marsh-Brown, Russell, Daly, Dalle Valle, Banks.
Probable XI: Pernis, Watson, Gunning, Kenneth, Dillon, Flood, Robertson, Swanson, Rankin, Russell, Daly (4-4-2)
Prediction - Hibs 1-1 Dundee Utd
I was thinking about giving Hibs the benefit of the doubt here as they are coming off the back of a win in the cup but their defense just can not be trusted. O'Connor is bang on form but I expect Utd to be well organised and if anything sneak a win. NO BET
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Motherwell v Aberdeen (3pm KO)
Motherwell
Injuries : Shaun Hutchinson, Steven Saunders,
Available Squad: Randolph, Hateley, Hammell, Clancy, Craigan, Lasley, Jennings, Humphrey, Law, Higdon, Murphy, Daley, Forbes, McHugh, Carswell, Lawless, Page, Hollis.
Probable XI: Randolph, Hately, Clancy, Craigan, Hammell, Humphrey, Lasley, Jennings, Law, Murphy, Higdon (4-4-2)
Aberdeen
Injuries: Fraser Fyvie (Scotland Under-19 duty), Yoann Folly
Available Squad: Gonzalez, Foster, Considine, Mawene, Osbourne, Milsom, Vernon, Arnason, Jack, Clark, Chalali, Pawlett, Fallon, Mackie, Magennis, McArdle, Shaughnessy, Brown.
Probable XI: Gonzalez, Jack, Considine, Mawene, Foster, Pawlett, Osbourne, Milsom, Arnason, Fallon, Vernon (4-4-2)
Prediction - Motherwell 1-1 Aberdeen
Tricky game to call, both knocked out of the cup at home midweek. Reckon Craig Brown will be starting to get worried about his job. But Motherwell worringly have shipped 8 goals in their last 3 home games. BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE is my pick here!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
St Mirren v Kilmarnock (3pm KO)
St Mirren
Injuries: Hugh Murray, Darren McGregor, David Barron, Aaron Mooy,
Available Squad: Samson, van Zanten, Mair, McAusland, Tesselaar, McLean, Thomson, Goodwin, Teale, Hasselbaink, McGowan, Thompson, McShane, Graeme Smith, Carey, Barron, Haddad, McKee.
Probable XI: Samson, Van Zanten, Haddad, Mair, Tesselaar, McGowan, Thomson, Goodwin, Teale, Hasselbaink, Thompson (4-3-3)
Kilmarnock
Injuries: Danny Buijs, Ryan O'Leary, William Gros
Doubtful : David Silva
Available Squad: Bell, Hay, Fowler, Kroca, Harkins, Sissoko, Shiels, Dayton, Racchi, Pascali, Kelly, Panikvar, Heffernan, Hutchinson, Jaakkola, McKeown, Pursehouse, Silva.
Probable XI: Bell, Fowler, Kroca, Panikvar, Hay, Dayton, Shiels, Sissoko, Pascali, Kelly, Heffernan (4-5-1)
Prediction - St Mirren 1-1 Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock had the beating of St Mirren last season winning all 3 fixtures but i do think St Mirren are a lot better this year with their new forward line. It is hard to go against Killie's good form recently so a draw looks likely. Kilmarnock +0&+0.5 at 4/5 looks tempting though.........
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
St Johnstone v Hearts (Sun 12pm KO)
St Johnstone
Injuries : Frazer Wright, Jody Morris, Kevin Moon, Sam Parkin, Callum Davidson, Graham Gartland, Murray Davidson
Available Squad : Enckelman, Maybury, MacKay, Anderson, Adams, Craig, Millar, Haber, Sheridan, Higgins, Sandaza, Gibson, May, Mannus, McIntosh, Caddis, McCracken, Robertson
Probable XI: Enckelman, MacKay, McCracken, Anderson, Maybury, Higgins, Adams, Millar, Craig, Sandaza, Sheridan (4-4-2)
Hearts
Injuries: Marian Kello, Kevin Kyle, Gary Glen, Calum Elliot
Available Squad: MacDonald, Hamill, Grainger, Zaliukas, Taouil, Skacel, Black, Obua, Jonsson, Stevenson, Mrowiec, Elliott, Templeton, Robinson, Smith, Webster, Novikovas, Balogh.
Probable XI : McDonald, Grainger, Zaliukas, Webster, Hamill, Templeton, Black, Mrowiec, Taouil, Sutton, Elliot (4-4-2)
Prediction - St Johnstone 1-2 Hearts
Lets just say Hearts better get the win here after Paulo Sergio ridiculously rested plays in the cup and got beaten by Ayr Utd ( had we won we would have been in the 1/4 finals with Rangers knocked out - idiot!!!) St Johnstone are missing both Fraser and Calum Davidson in defence. AWAY WIN
Dunfermline
Injuries : Steven Bell, Nick Phinn, Martin Hardie, Kevin Rutkiewicz, Craig Easton
Available Squad :Gallacher, Smith, J Thomson, McCann, Keddie, Dowie, Mason, Cardle, Burns, R Thomson, Kirk, Barrowman, Graham, Boyle, Potter, Willis, Buchanan, Byrne.
Probable XI: Gallagher, J. Thomson, Keddie, Dowie, McCann, Cardle, R. Thomson, Mason, Graham, Barrowman, Kirk (4-4-2)
Rangers
Injuries : Lee Wallace, David Weir Kyle Bartley
Available Squad : McGregor, Whittaker, Papac, Bocanegra, Goian, Davis, Naismith, Edu, Wylde, Lafferty, McCulloch, Jelavic, Healy, Ortiz, Broadfoot, Perry, Fleck, Alexander.
Probable XI : McGregor, Papac, Goin, Bocanegra, Whittaker, Ortiz, Edu, Davis, Naismith, Lafferty, Jelavic (4-4-2)
Prediction - Dunfermline 0-3 Rangers
I can see Rangers having a blow out here following their shock/embarrassing exit from the cup at Falkirk midweek. I remember Rangers giving them a 7-2 pasting in the cup last year. RANGERS -1 A/H
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Celtic v Inverness CT (3pm KO)
Celtic
Injuries : Emilio Izaguirre, Scott Brown, Cha Du Ri, Kelvin Wilson, Kris Commons
Suspended : Charlie Mulgrew
Available Squad: Forster, Matthews, Majstorovic, Mark Wilson, Wanyama, El Kaddouri, Stokes, Bangura, Ledley, Kayal, Forrest, Hooper, George, Zaluska, Rogne, McCourt, Samaras, Loovens.
Probable XI : Forster, M Wilson, Majstorovic, Loovens, El Kaddouri, Forrest, Ki, Kayal, Ledley, Stokes, Hooper (4-4-2)
Inverness CT
Injuries: Johnny Hayes, Owain Tudor-Jones, Josh Meekings, Lee Cox
Doubtful : Gavin Morrison, Richie Foran
Available Squad: Esson, Tokely, Golobart, Ross, Sutherland, Foran, Tade, Piermayr, G Shinnie, A Shinnie, Morrison, Gillet, Chippendale, Davis, McKay, Tansey, Proctor, Tuffey.
Probable XI : Esson, Piermayr, Tokely, Proctor, G. Shinnie, Davies, Tansey, A. Shinnie, Ross, Tade, Foran (4-4-2)
Prediction - Celtic 3-0 Inverness CT
Injuries are starting to mount up for Celtic but they have a big enough squad to handle it. Although Inverness managed a draw last time at Celtic Park it really isn't happy hunting ground for them having lost every other previous game there. Celtic's midfield is too dominant for ICT and will control the game. CELTIC TO WIN TO NIL looks a decent chance.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hibs v Dundee Utd (3pm KO)
Hibs
Injuries: Danny Galbraith, Matt Thornhill, Sean Welsh, Phil Airey, Micheal Hart
Available Squad: Stack, Towell, Murray, O'Hanlon, Hanlon, Booth, Sproule, Wotherspoon, Palsson, Osbourne, Scott, O'Connor, Sodje, Griffiths, Agogo, Brown, Stevenson, Stephens.
Probable XI: Stack, Towell, O'Hanlon, Hanlon, Booth, Sproule, Osbourne, Palsson, Murray, O'Connor, Griffiths (4-4-2)
Dundee Utd
Injuries: Scott Severin,
Doubtful : Scott Allen (has refused to sign a new contract) Sean Dillon
Available Squad: Pernis, Douglas, Dixon, Watson, Dillon, Kenneth, Gunning, Smith, Allan, Flood, Rankin, Armstrong, Robertson, Mackay-Steven, Hilson, Dow, Marsh-Brown, Russell, Daly, Dalle Valle, Banks.
Probable XI: Pernis, Watson, Gunning, Kenneth, Dillon, Flood, Robertson, Swanson, Rankin, Russell, Daly (4-4-2)
Prediction - Hibs 1-1 Dundee Utd
I was thinking about giving Hibs the benefit of the doubt here as they are coming off the back of a win in the cup but their defense just can not be trusted. O'Connor is bang on form but I expect Utd to be well organised and if anything sneak a win. NO BET
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Motherwell v Aberdeen (3pm KO)
Motherwell
Injuries : Shaun Hutchinson, Steven Saunders,
Available Squad: Randolph, Hateley, Hammell, Clancy, Craigan, Lasley, Jennings, Humphrey, Law, Higdon, Murphy, Daley, Forbes, McHugh, Carswell, Lawless, Page, Hollis.
Probable XI: Randolph, Hately, Clancy, Craigan, Hammell, Humphrey, Lasley, Jennings, Law, Murphy, Higdon (4-4-2)
Aberdeen
Injuries: Fraser Fyvie (Scotland Under-19 duty), Yoann Folly
Available Squad: Gonzalez, Foster, Considine, Mawene, Osbourne, Milsom, Vernon, Arnason, Jack, Clark, Chalali, Pawlett, Fallon, Mackie, Magennis, McArdle, Shaughnessy, Brown.
Probable XI: Gonzalez, Jack, Considine, Mawene, Foster, Pawlett, Osbourne, Milsom, Arnason, Fallon, Vernon (4-4-2)
Prediction - Motherwell 1-1 Aberdeen
Tricky game to call, both knocked out of the cup at home midweek. Reckon Craig Brown will be starting to get worried about his job. But Motherwell worringly have shipped 8 goals in their last 3 home games. BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE is my pick here!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
St Mirren v Kilmarnock (3pm KO)
St Mirren
Injuries: Hugh Murray, Darren McGregor, David Barron, Aaron Mooy,
Available Squad: Samson, van Zanten, Mair, McAusland, Tesselaar, McLean, Thomson, Goodwin, Teale, Hasselbaink, McGowan, Thompson, McShane, Graeme Smith, Carey, Barron, Haddad, McKee.
Probable XI: Samson, Van Zanten, Haddad, Mair, Tesselaar, McGowan, Thomson, Goodwin, Teale, Hasselbaink, Thompson (4-3-3)
Kilmarnock
Injuries: Danny Buijs, Ryan O'Leary, William Gros
Doubtful : David Silva
Available Squad: Bell, Hay, Fowler, Kroca, Harkins, Sissoko, Shiels, Dayton, Racchi, Pascali, Kelly, Panikvar, Heffernan, Hutchinson, Jaakkola, McKeown, Pursehouse, Silva.
Probable XI: Bell, Fowler, Kroca, Panikvar, Hay, Dayton, Shiels, Sissoko, Pascali, Kelly, Heffernan (4-5-1)
Prediction - St Mirren 1-1 Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock had the beating of St Mirren last season winning all 3 fixtures but i do think St Mirren are a lot better this year with their new forward line. It is hard to go against Killie's good form recently so a draw looks likely. Kilmarnock +0&+0.5 at 4/5 looks tempting though.........
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
St Johnstone v Hearts (Sun 12pm KO)
St Johnstone
Injuries : Frazer Wright, Jody Morris, Kevin Moon, Sam Parkin, Callum Davidson, Graham Gartland, Murray Davidson
Available Squad : Enckelman, Maybury, MacKay, Anderson, Adams, Craig, Millar, Haber, Sheridan, Higgins, Sandaza, Gibson, May, Mannus, McIntosh, Caddis, McCracken, Robertson
Probable XI: Enckelman, MacKay, McCracken, Anderson, Maybury, Higgins, Adams, Millar, Craig, Sandaza, Sheridan (4-4-2)
Hearts
Injuries: Marian Kello, Kevin Kyle, Gary Glen, Calum Elliot
Available Squad: MacDonald, Hamill, Grainger, Zaliukas, Taouil, Skacel, Black, Obua, Jonsson, Stevenson, Mrowiec, Elliott, Templeton, Robinson, Smith, Webster, Novikovas, Balogh.
Probable XI : McDonald, Grainger, Zaliukas, Webster, Hamill, Templeton, Black, Mrowiec, Taouil, Sutton, Elliot (4-4-2)
Prediction - St Johnstone 1-2 Hearts
Lets just say Hearts better get the win here after Paulo Sergio ridiculously rested plays in the cup and got beaten by Ayr Utd ( had we won we would have been in the 1/4 finals with Rangers knocked out - idiot!!!) St Johnstone are missing both Fraser and Calum Davidson in defence. AWAY WIN
Sunday 21 August 2011
SPL Team New for Sunday 21st August
Celtic v St Johnstone
Celtic
Injuries - Glenn Loovens (hamstring), Beram Kayal (ankle) and Gary Hooper (ankle) Thomas Rogne (Calf) Emilio Izaguirre (fractured ankle)
Doubtful - Kevin Wilson, Scott Brown
Available Squad : Forster, Cha, Majstorovic, Mulgrew, Mark Wilson, Commons, Forrest, Brown, Ki, Ledley, Samaras, McCourt, Stokes, Maloney, Zaluska, Matthews, Slane, Wanyama.
Possible XI - Forster, Cha, Majstorovic, Mulgrew, M Wilson, Ki, Ledley, Commons, Forrest, McCourt, Stokes
St Johnstone
Injuries - Kevin Moon (broken bone in hand) Kevin Moon( Hip)
Available Squad : Enckelman, Wright, McCracken, MacKay, Morris, Craig, M Davidson, Finnigan, Sheridan, Sandaza, Haber, Robertson, Mannus, McIntosh, Anderson, May, Caddis, C Davidson.
Possible XI - Enckelman, C. Davidson, Wright, McCracken, MacKay, Moon, Morris, M Davison, Haber, Sheridan, Sandaza
Tip Celtic 2-0 St Johnstone
Easy Celtic win
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Motherwell v Rangers
Motherwell
Injuries - Steven Saunders (Achilles)
Available Squad : Randolph, Hateley, Craigan, Hutchinson, Hammell, Jennings, Lasley, Forbes, Murphy, Law, Humphrey, Higdon, McHugh, Page, Smith, Halsman, Pollock, Hollis.
Possible XI - Randolph, Hateley, Craigan, Hutchinson, Hammell, Jennings, Lasley, Law, Humphrey, Murphy, Higdon
Rangers
Injuries - Sasa Papac (illness), David Weir (hamstring) and Kyle Bartley (groin) James Beattie,
Suspended - Maurice Edu
Available XI - McGregor, Ortiz, Wylde, Wallace, Goian, Broadfoot, Perry, Davis, Naismith, Jelavic, Fleck, Hutton, Healy, Alexander, Hemmings, Lafferty, Bocanegra, Bedoya, McKay, Whittaker, Ness
Possible XI - McGregor, Goian, Bocanegra, Broadfoot, Wallace, Whittaker, Davis, Ness, Ortiz, Naismith, Jelavic
Tip : Motherwell 1-3 Rangers
I reckon a lot of people will be fancying Motherwell's chances here. I don't, Rangers won all 4 fixtures last season with an aggregate score of 19-2!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kilmarnock v Hearts
Kilmarnock
Injuries - David Silva (medial ligament) Zdenek Kroca (virus)
Available Squad : Bell, Buijs, Kroca, O'Leary, McKeown, Dayton, Fowler, Kelly, Pascali, Harkins, Shiels, Galan, Heffernan, Jaakkola, Clancy, Hay, Fisher, Hutchinson.
Possible XI - Bell, Buijs, Clancy, O'Leary, McKeown, Dayton, Kelly, Pascali, Harkins, Shiels, Heffernan
Hearts
Injuries - Mehdi Taouil (groin) Kevin Kyle (hip) Calum Elliot (knee)
Suspended - Ian Black
Available Squad : Kello, Hamill, Grainger, Jonsson, Webster, Elliott, Driver, Templeton, Obua, Sutton, Stevenson, McGowan, Novikovas, Skacel, Smith, Zaliukas, Robinson, MacDonald, Mrowiec.
Possible XI - Kello, Hamill, Zaliukas, Webster, Grainger, Templeton, Stevenson, Mrowiec, Driver, Sutton, Novikovas
Tip : Kilmarnock 1-1 Hearts
Big blow for Killie having Silva out. Reckon Hearts will have a positive bounce back after the Spurs massacre. Wouldn't surprise me if Hearts actually got the win.
Celtic
Injuries - Glenn Loovens (hamstring), Beram Kayal (ankle) and Gary Hooper (ankle) Thomas Rogne (Calf) Emilio Izaguirre (fractured ankle)
Doubtful - Kevin Wilson, Scott Brown
Available Squad : Forster, Cha, Majstorovic, Mulgrew, Mark Wilson, Commons, Forrest, Brown, Ki, Ledley, Samaras, McCourt, Stokes, Maloney, Zaluska, Matthews, Slane, Wanyama.
Possible XI - Forster, Cha, Majstorovic, Mulgrew, M Wilson, Ki, Ledley, Commons, Forrest, McCourt, Stokes
St Johnstone
Injuries - Kevin Moon (broken bone in hand) Kevin Moon( Hip)
Available Squad : Enckelman, Wright, McCracken, MacKay, Morris, Craig, M Davidson, Finnigan, Sheridan, Sandaza, Haber, Robertson, Mannus, McIntosh, Anderson, May, Caddis, C Davidson.
Possible XI - Enckelman, C. Davidson, Wright, McCracken, MacKay, Moon, Morris, M Davison, Haber, Sheridan, Sandaza
Tip Celtic 2-0 St Johnstone
Easy Celtic win
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Motherwell v Rangers
Motherwell
Injuries - Steven Saunders (Achilles)
Available Squad : Randolph, Hateley, Craigan, Hutchinson, Hammell, Jennings, Lasley, Forbes, Murphy, Law, Humphrey, Higdon, McHugh, Page, Smith, Halsman, Pollock, Hollis.
Possible XI - Randolph, Hateley, Craigan, Hutchinson, Hammell, Jennings, Lasley, Law, Humphrey, Murphy, Higdon
Rangers
Injuries - Sasa Papac (illness), David Weir (hamstring) and Kyle Bartley (groin) James Beattie,
Suspended - Maurice Edu
Available XI - McGregor, Ortiz, Wylde, Wallace, Goian, Broadfoot, Perry, Davis, Naismith, Jelavic, Fleck, Hutton, Healy, Alexander, Hemmings, Lafferty, Bocanegra, Bedoya, McKay, Whittaker, Ness
Possible XI - McGregor, Goian, Bocanegra, Broadfoot, Wallace, Whittaker, Davis, Ness, Ortiz, Naismith, Jelavic
Tip : Motherwell 1-3 Rangers
I reckon a lot of people will be fancying Motherwell's chances here. I don't, Rangers won all 4 fixtures last season with an aggregate score of 19-2!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kilmarnock v Hearts
Kilmarnock
Injuries - David Silva (medial ligament) Zdenek Kroca (virus)
Available Squad : Bell, Buijs, Kroca, O'Leary, McKeown, Dayton, Fowler, Kelly, Pascali, Harkins, Shiels, Galan, Heffernan, Jaakkola, Clancy, Hay, Fisher, Hutchinson.
Possible XI - Bell, Buijs, Clancy, O'Leary, McKeown, Dayton, Kelly, Pascali, Harkins, Shiels, Heffernan
Hearts
Injuries - Mehdi Taouil (groin) Kevin Kyle (hip) Calum Elliot (knee)
Suspended - Ian Black
Available Squad : Kello, Hamill, Grainger, Jonsson, Webster, Elliott, Driver, Templeton, Obua, Sutton, Stevenson, McGowan, Novikovas, Skacel, Smith, Zaliukas, Robinson, MacDonald, Mrowiec.
Possible XI - Kello, Hamill, Zaliukas, Webster, Grainger, Templeton, Stevenson, Mrowiec, Driver, Sutton, Novikovas
Tip : Kilmarnock 1-1 Hearts
Big blow for Killie having Silva out. Reckon Hearts will have a positive bounce back after the Spurs massacre. Wouldn't surprise me if Hearts actually got the win.
Saturday 20 August 2011
Friday 19 August 2011
SPL TEAM NEWS for Saturday 20th August
Aberdeen v Inverness
Aberdeen
Injuries - Jamie Langfield, Yoann Folly
Available Squad : Gonzalez, Foster, Considine, Arnason, Robertson, Magennis, Paton, Milsom, Osbourne, Pawlett, Megginson, Vernon, Low, Mackie, Jason Brown, McArdle, Jordan Brown, Fraser, Clark, Mawene, Fyvie, Jack.
Possible XI - Gonzalez, Jack, Considine, Mawene, Foster, Fyvie, Arnason, Osbourne, Milsom, Mackie, Vernon (4-4-2)
Inverness
Injuries - Owain Tudur Jones (Knee), Kenny Gillet, David Proctor (both hamstring), Billy McKay, Josh Meekings (both ankle) and Lee Cox (pelvis) remain absent.
Suspensions - Ross Tokely
Available Squad : Esson, Hogg, Golobart, Aldred, Ross, Sutherland, Hayes, Tansey, Doran, Foran, Tade, Piermayr, Graeme Shinnie, Andrew Shinnie, Tuffey, Morrison, Polworth, Smith.
Possible XI : Esson, Piermayr, Hogg, Golobart, G. Shinnie, Hayes, Ross, Tansey, Doran, Foran, Tade (4-4-2)
Tip - Aberdeen 2-1 Inverness CT
Call me crazy but I reckon Aberdeen are finally going to actually score and get a result at the weekend!
I will have 2 bets on this match - Both teams to score and Aberdeen DNB (for saftey)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dundee Utd v Dunfermline
Dundee Utd
Injuries - Scott Severin
Available squad : Pernis, Watson, Dillon, Kenneth, Dixon, Robertson, Rankin, Flood, Allan, Russell, Daly, Armstrong, Gunning, Swanson, Douglas, Mackay-Steven, Dow, Banks
Possible XI - Pernis, Watson, Dillon, Kenneth, Dixon, Flood, Robertson, Allan, Rankin, Daly, Russell (4-4-2)
Dunfermline
Injuries - Steven Bell (Achilles) and Nicky Phinn (hamstring) remain absent
Available squad : Gallacher, Jason Thomson, Potter, Rutkiewicz, Keddie, McCann, Barrowman, Cardle, McDougall, Mason, Hardie, Dowie, Burns, Kirk, Graham, Smith, Boyle, Willis, Ryan Thomson, Young.
Posssible XI - Gallagher, Thomson, Potter, Keddie, McCann, Cardle, Mason, Hardie, Burns, Dowie, Kirk (4-5-1)
Tip - Dundee Utd 2-0 Dunfermline
Surprisingly Dunfermline are unbeaten since their return to the top flight. In fact unbeaten in last 16 games but I think they are seriously up against it at Dundee Utd. I expect them to try their 4-5-1 formation again with just Kirk up front as it worked last week against St Johnstone. For me though Dundee Utd are a much stronger team all over the park and I think Dunfermline have just been lucky with favourable fixtures to start their campaign. I'll be having a decent tilt at Dundee Utd to win.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hibs v St Mirren
Hibs
Injuries - Michael Hart (groin) and Sean Welsh (cheekbone)
Available Squad: Stack, Brown, Booth, Hanlon, O'Hanlon, Murray, Stephens, Taggart, Smith, Wotherspoon, De Graaf, Galbraith, Scott, Thornhill, Stevenson, Sproule, Palsson, Osbourne, Horner, Airey, O'Connor, Agogo, Sodje, Caldwell.
Possible XI - Stack, Palsson, Stephens, Hanlon, Booth, Sproule, Stevenson, Murray, Wotherspoon, O'Conner, Agogo (4-4-2)
St Mirren
Injuries - Darren McGregor (knee) Aaron Mooy (back) Hugh Murray (knee) Graeme Smith , David Barron
Suspensions - Nigel Hasselbaink
Available Squad : Samson, Van Zanten, Tesselaar, McAusland, Mair, Goodwin, Haddad, McGowan, Teale, Thomson, Thompson, McQuade, McLean, McShane, McKernon, Carey, Barron, McQuade, Smith.
Possible XI - Samson, Van Zanten, Mair, McAusland, McShane, Teale, Goodwin, Tesselaar, McLean, Thompson, McGowan
Tip - Hibs 2-1 St Mirren
I am giving Hibs the benefit of the doubt here as they were terrible last week at Kilmarnock especially in defence. Hibs are without a home win in 6 games but this is a fixture they generally win though.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PS - I would like to apologise on behalf of my team Hearts for their display last night against Spurs, very embarrassing!
I swear I saw the Spurs players exchange their training bibs with Hearts players at full time...................................
Aberdeen
Injuries - Jamie Langfield, Yoann Folly
Available Squad : Gonzalez, Foster, Considine, Arnason, Robertson, Magennis, Paton, Milsom, Osbourne, Pawlett, Megginson, Vernon, Low, Mackie, Jason Brown, McArdle, Jordan Brown, Fraser, Clark, Mawene, Fyvie, Jack.
Possible XI - Gonzalez, Jack, Considine, Mawene, Foster, Fyvie, Arnason, Osbourne, Milsom, Mackie, Vernon (4-4-2)
Inverness
Injuries - Owain Tudur Jones (Knee), Kenny Gillet, David Proctor (both hamstring), Billy McKay, Josh Meekings (both ankle) and Lee Cox (pelvis) remain absent.
Suspensions - Ross Tokely
Available Squad : Esson, Hogg, Golobart, Aldred, Ross, Sutherland, Hayes, Tansey, Doran, Foran, Tade, Piermayr, Graeme Shinnie, Andrew Shinnie, Tuffey, Morrison, Polworth, Smith.
Possible XI : Esson, Piermayr, Hogg, Golobart, G. Shinnie, Hayes, Ross, Tansey, Doran, Foran, Tade (4-4-2)
Tip - Aberdeen 2-1 Inverness CT
Call me crazy but I reckon Aberdeen are finally going to actually score and get a result at the weekend!
I will have 2 bets on this match - Both teams to score and Aberdeen DNB (for saftey)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dundee Utd v Dunfermline
Dundee Utd
Injuries - Scott Severin
Available squad : Pernis, Watson, Dillon, Kenneth, Dixon, Robertson, Rankin, Flood, Allan, Russell, Daly, Armstrong, Gunning, Swanson, Douglas, Mackay-Steven, Dow, Banks
Possible XI - Pernis, Watson, Dillon, Kenneth, Dixon, Flood, Robertson, Allan, Rankin, Daly, Russell (4-4-2)
Dunfermline
Injuries - Steven Bell (Achilles) and Nicky Phinn (hamstring) remain absent
Available squad : Gallacher, Jason Thomson, Potter, Rutkiewicz, Keddie, McCann, Barrowman, Cardle, McDougall, Mason, Hardie, Dowie, Burns, Kirk, Graham, Smith, Boyle, Willis, Ryan Thomson, Young.
Posssible XI - Gallagher, Thomson, Potter, Keddie, McCann, Cardle, Mason, Hardie, Burns, Dowie, Kirk (4-5-1)
Tip - Dundee Utd 2-0 Dunfermline
Surprisingly Dunfermline are unbeaten since their return to the top flight. In fact unbeaten in last 16 games but I think they are seriously up against it at Dundee Utd. I expect them to try their 4-5-1 formation again with just Kirk up front as it worked last week against St Johnstone. For me though Dundee Utd are a much stronger team all over the park and I think Dunfermline have just been lucky with favourable fixtures to start their campaign. I'll be having a decent tilt at Dundee Utd to win.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hibs v St Mirren
Hibs
Injuries - Michael Hart (groin) and Sean Welsh (cheekbone)
Available Squad: Stack, Brown, Booth, Hanlon, O'Hanlon, Murray, Stephens, Taggart, Smith, Wotherspoon, De Graaf, Galbraith, Scott, Thornhill, Stevenson, Sproule, Palsson, Osbourne, Horner, Airey, O'Connor, Agogo, Sodje, Caldwell.
Possible XI - Stack, Palsson, Stephens, Hanlon, Booth, Sproule, Stevenson, Murray, Wotherspoon, O'Conner, Agogo (4-4-2)
St Mirren
Injuries - Darren McGregor (knee) Aaron Mooy (back) Hugh Murray (knee) Graeme Smith , David Barron
Suspensions - Nigel Hasselbaink
Available Squad : Samson, Van Zanten, Tesselaar, McAusland, Mair, Goodwin, Haddad, McGowan, Teale, Thomson, Thompson, McQuade, McLean, McShane, McKernon, Carey, Barron, McQuade, Smith.
Possible XI - Samson, Van Zanten, Mair, McAusland, McShane, Teale, Goodwin, Tesselaar, McLean, Thompson, McGowan
Tip - Hibs 2-1 St Mirren
I am giving Hibs the benefit of the doubt here as they were terrible last week at Kilmarnock especially in defence. Hibs are without a home win in 6 games but this is a fixture they generally win though.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PS - I would like to apologise on behalf of my team Hearts for their display last night against Spurs, very embarrassing!
I swear I saw the Spurs players exchange their training bibs with Hearts players at full time...................................
Thursday 18 August 2011
Europa League Team News for Scottish Teams
CELTIC V SION
Celtic
Injuries - Jos Hooiveld, Glenn Loovens, Emilio Izaguirre, Beram Kayal, Gary Hooper.
Doubtful - Thomas Rogne (very doubtful but back training) Fraser Forster ( they have resigned Newcastle goalie on another year long loan but unsure whether he is clear to play tomorrow. He will be no.1 choice from now on though)
Available Squad :Zaluska, Mark Wilson, Majstorovic, Kelvin Wilson, Mulgrew, Commons, Forrest, Brown, Ki, Ledley, Hooper, Maloney, Stokes, McCourt, Cervi, Matthews, Samaras, Wanyama, Rogne, Forster
Possible XI - Zaluska, M.Wilson, Majstorovic, K.Wilson, Mulgrew, Commons, Brown Ki, Ledley, Stokes, Samaras (4-4-2)
Sion
You will know more about Sion than me but you will have probably read that there is a bit of debate about some of the players Sion fielded at the weekend and whether they are eligible.
"Sion allegedly broke a registration embargo by the world football governing body at the weekend when Pascal Feindouno, Mario Mutsch and Gabri all lined up against Lucerne, after a Swiss court ruled in their favour. Former Hearts defender Jose Goncalves and Billy Ketkeophomphone are also in Sion's European squad approved by the Swiss FA who, along with the club, have reportedly been warned by UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino about possible sanctions although the Court of Arbitration for Sport, who will rule on the issue, will not pass their verdict until after the second leg next Thursday."
Tip - Celtic 2-0 Sion
I seriously don't see Celtic losing this but the odds are rubbish! I remember last year they got embarrassed at exactly the same stage when Ricky Van Wolfswinkel scored a hatrick and Utrecht beat them 4-0 at home. This wont happen again.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hearts v Spurs
Hearts
Injuries - Mehdi Taouil (groin) Kevin Kyle (hip) and Calum Elliot (knee).
Available Squad : Kello, Hamill, Grainger, Jonsson, Webster, Black, Elliott, Driver, Templeton, Obua, Sutton, Stevenson, McGowan, Novikovas, Skacel, Smith, Zaliukas, Robinson, MacDonald, Mrowiec.
Possible XI - Kello, McGowan, Zaliukas, Webster, Grainger, Black, Mrowiec, Driver, Templeton, Obua, Sutton (4-4-1-1)
Spurs
Injuries - Sandro, Wilson Palacios (both knee) Steven Pienaar, Luka Modric (both groin) and Jermaine Jenas (Achilles)
Doubtful - Tom Huddlestone is a doubt with an ankle problem
Available Squad : Gomes, Friedel, Cudicini, Bale, Kaboul, Bassong, Dawson, Corluka, Walker, Assou-Ekotto, Huddlestone, Lennon, Van der Vaart, Kranjcar, Rose, Livermore, Pavlyuchenko, Defoe, Crouch.
Possible XI - Gomes, Assou-Ekotto, Kaboul Dawson, Corluka, Bale, Livermore, Kranjcar, Lennon, Van der Vaart, Pavlyuchenko
Tip - Hearts 1-1 Spurs
***Ignore my tip because I'm a Hearts fan!*** However, Hearts did play well on Saturday and our new striker Sutton got off the mark. Also we have our injured players back. Spurs wont like the tight pitch which is made to feel even tigher as the stands are within touching distance from the pitch. Another side of me thinks (prays) please don't annihilate us Spurs! But Spurs may be lacking a bit of match practise and it seems they are missing their midfield ball winners. 'Arry just did an interview on Scottish radio saying he is missing 5 midfielders and admits he is struggling in that position. BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maribor v Rangers
Rangers
Injuries - David Weir (hamstring), Kyle Bartley (Groin)
Doubtful - Lafferty (just heard on radio he travels but highly unlikely to play)
Suspended - Sasa Papac and Steven Whittaker
Available Squad : McGregor, Wallace, Goian, Davis, McCulloch, Ortiz, Edu, Wylde, Ness, Naismith, Jelavic, Hemmings, Broadfoot, Alexander, Fleck, Healy, Hutton, Lafferty, Perry.
Possible XI - McGregor, Wallace, Goian, McCulloch, Broadfoot, Edu, Ness, Davis, Ortiz, Naismith, Jelavic (4-4-1-1)
Tip - Maribor 0-1 Rangers
Rangers are the masters at getting favourable results away in Europe in recent years. They'll take a draw but I think they may just steal a one goal win.
They are again struggling at the back with Weir and Bartely both not on the plane and idiots of the Champions League failure Whittaker and papac suspended. McCulloch though is back fit and he can come in at centre half if needed, although young Perry came on for injured Bartely at the weekend. UNDER 2.5 GOALS & Jelavic anytime scorer for me.
Celtic
Injuries - Jos Hooiveld, Glenn Loovens, Emilio Izaguirre, Beram Kayal, Gary Hooper.
Doubtful - Thomas Rogne (very doubtful but back training) Fraser Forster ( they have resigned Newcastle goalie on another year long loan but unsure whether he is clear to play tomorrow. He will be no.1 choice from now on though)
Available Squad :Zaluska, Mark Wilson, Majstorovic, Kelvin Wilson, Mulgrew, Commons, Forrest, Brown, Ki, Ledley, Hooper, Maloney, Stokes, McCourt, Cervi, Matthews, Samaras, Wanyama, Rogne, Forster
Possible XI - Zaluska, M.Wilson, Majstorovic, K.Wilson, Mulgrew, Commons, Brown Ki, Ledley, Stokes, Samaras (4-4-2)
Sion
You will know more about Sion than me but you will have probably read that there is a bit of debate about some of the players Sion fielded at the weekend and whether they are eligible.
"Sion allegedly broke a registration embargo by the world football governing body at the weekend when Pascal Feindouno, Mario Mutsch and Gabri all lined up against Lucerne, after a Swiss court ruled in their favour. Former Hearts defender Jose Goncalves and Billy Ketkeophomphone are also in Sion's European squad approved by the Swiss FA who, along with the club, have reportedly been warned by UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino about possible sanctions although the Court of Arbitration for Sport, who will rule on the issue, will not pass their verdict until after the second leg next Thursday."
Tip - Celtic 2-0 Sion
I seriously don't see Celtic losing this but the odds are rubbish! I remember last year they got embarrassed at exactly the same stage when Ricky Van Wolfswinkel scored a hatrick and Utrecht beat them 4-0 at home. This wont happen again.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hearts v Spurs
Hearts
Injuries - Mehdi Taouil (groin) Kevin Kyle (hip) and Calum Elliot (knee).
Available Squad : Kello, Hamill, Grainger, Jonsson, Webster, Black, Elliott, Driver, Templeton, Obua, Sutton, Stevenson, McGowan, Novikovas, Skacel, Smith, Zaliukas, Robinson, MacDonald, Mrowiec.
Possible XI - Kello, McGowan, Zaliukas, Webster, Grainger, Black, Mrowiec, Driver, Templeton, Obua, Sutton (4-4-1-1)
Spurs
Injuries - Sandro, Wilson Palacios (both knee) Steven Pienaar, Luka Modric (both groin) and Jermaine Jenas (Achilles)
Doubtful - Tom Huddlestone is a doubt with an ankle problem
Available Squad : Gomes, Friedel, Cudicini, Bale, Kaboul, Bassong, Dawson, Corluka, Walker, Assou-Ekotto, Huddlestone, Lennon, Van der Vaart, Kranjcar, Rose, Livermore, Pavlyuchenko, Defoe, Crouch.
Possible XI - Gomes, Assou-Ekotto, Kaboul Dawson, Corluka, Bale, Livermore, Kranjcar, Lennon, Van der Vaart, Pavlyuchenko
Tip - Hearts 1-1 Spurs
***Ignore my tip because I'm a Hearts fan!*** However, Hearts did play well on Saturday and our new striker Sutton got off the mark. Also we have our injured players back. Spurs wont like the tight pitch which is made to feel even tigher as the stands are within touching distance from the pitch. Another side of me thinks (prays) please don't annihilate us Spurs! But Spurs may be lacking a bit of match practise and it seems they are missing their midfield ball winners. 'Arry just did an interview on Scottish radio saying he is missing 5 midfielders and admits he is struggling in that position. BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maribor v Rangers
Rangers
Injuries - David Weir (hamstring), Kyle Bartley (Groin)
Doubtful - Lafferty (just heard on radio he travels but highly unlikely to play)
Suspended - Sasa Papac and Steven Whittaker
Available Squad : McGregor, Wallace, Goian, Davis, McCulloch, Ortiz, Edu, Wylde, Ness, Naismith, Jelavic, Hemmings, Broadfoot, Alexander, Fleck, Healy, Hutton, Lafferty, Perry.
Possible XI - McGregor, Wallace, Goian, McCulloch, Broadfoot, Edu, Ness, Davis, Ortiz, Naismith, Jelavic (4-4-1-1)
Tip - Maribor 0-1 Rangers
Rangers are the masters at getting favourable results away in Europe in recent years. They'll take a draw but I think they may just steal a one goal win.
They are again struggling at the back with Weir and Bartely both not on the plane and idiots of the Champions League failure Whittaker and papac suspended. McCulloch though is back fit and he can come in at centre half if needed, although young Perry came on for injured Bartely at the weekend. UNDER 2.5 GOALS & Jelavic anytime scorer for me.
Sunday 14 August 2011
SPL Team News for Sunday 14th August
Kilmarnock v Hibernian
Kilmarnock
Injuries - William Gros (knock), Danny Racchi (back)
Available Squad : Bell, McKeown, O'Leary, Fowler, Kroca, Harkins, Silva, Buijs, Dayton, Pascali, Kelly, Shiels, Hutchinson, Heffernan, Hay, Ada, Jaakkola, Pursehouse, Galan.
Possible XI - Bell, Fowler, O'leary, Kroca, McKeown, Shiels, Buijs, Dayton, Silva, Pascali, Galan (4-4-2)
Hibernian
Injuries - Michael Hart (groin), Akpo Sodje (knee) Sean Welsh (cheekbone)
Doubtful - Sean O'Hanlon (broken toe)
Available Squad : Stack, Wotherspoon, Hanlon, Stephens, Booth, Murray, Thornhill, Galbraith, Stevenson, Palsson, De Graaf, O'Hanlon, O'Connor, Sproule, Crawford, Horner, Taggart, Brown, Scott, Airey, Osbourne, Agogo.
Possible starting XI - Stack, Palsson, Stephens, Hanlon, Booth, Wotherspoon, Thornhill, Murray, Stevenson, Sproule, O'Connor (4-4-2)
Tip - Kilmarnock 1-2 Hibernian
Bit of a tough call here, both managers have managed to pull off decent loan signings. Kilmarnock have somehow got a season long loan of Jorge Galan from Osasuna and the dirty Hibees have managed to get trio Junior Agogo, Isaiah Osbourne and Phil Airey who I have no doubt will make a big difference to the squads especially for Hibs.
I would be tempted to take Hibs +0.25 @1.86 here.
Kilmarnock
Injuries - William Gros (knock), Danny Racchi (back)
Available Squad : Bell, McKeown, O'Leary, Fowler, Kroca, Harkins, Silva, Buijs, Dayton, Pascali, Kelly, Shiels, Hutchinson, Heffernan, Hay, Ada, Jaakkola, Pursehouse, Galan.
Possible XI - Bell, Fowler, O'leary, Kroca, McKeown, Shiels, Buijs, Dayton, Silva, Pascali, Galan (4-4-2)
Hibernian
Injuries - Michael Hart (groin), Akpo Sodje (knee) Sean Welsh (cheekbone)
Doubtful - Sean O'Hanlon (broken toe)
Available Squad : Stack, Wotherspoon, Hanlon, Stephens, Booth, Murray, Thornhill, Galbraith, Stevenson, Palsson, De Graaf, O'Hanlon, O'Connor, Sproule, Crawford, Horner, Taggart, Brown, Scott, Airey, Osbourne, Agogo.
Possible starting XI - Stack, Palsson, Stephens, Hanlon, Booth, Wotherspoon, Thornhill, Murray, Stevenson, Sproule, O'Connor (4-4-2)
Tip - Kilmarnock 1-2 Hibernian
Bit of a tough call here, both managers have managed to pull off decent loan signings. Kilmarnock have somehow got a season long loan of Jorge Galan from Osasuna and the dirty Hibees have managed to get trio Junior Agogo, Isaiah Osbourne and Phil Airey who I have no doubt will make a big difference to the squads especially for Hibs.
I would be tempted to take Hibs +0.25 @1.86 here.
Friday 12 August 2011
SPL - Team News for Saturday 13th Aug
Inverness CT v Rangers (12.45pm)
Inverness CT
Injuries - Kenny Gillet (hamstring), David Proctor (hamstring) Billy McKay (ankle), Josh Meekings (ankle) Lee Cox (pelvis)
Available Squad : Esson, Tokely, Hogg, Aldred, Ross, Jones, Sutherland, Hayes, Tansey, Doran, Foran, Tade, Piermayr, Graeme Shinnie, Andrew Shinnie, Tuffey, Laing, Morrison, Polworth, Smith.
Possible XI - Esson, Piermayr, Hogg, Tokely, Aldred, Hayes, Tansey, Tudor Jones, Doran, Foran Tade (4-4-2)
Rangers
Injuries - Sasa Papac (chest infection) Steven Whittaker (broken toe)
Doubtful - David Weir
Available Squad :McGregor, Whittaker, Wallace, Goian, Davis, McCulloch, Ortiz, Edu, Wylde, Naismith, Jelavic, Hemmings, Broadfoot, Alexander, Fleck, Healy, Hutton, Bartley.
Possible XI - McGregor, Wallace, Bartley, Broadfoot, Goian, Ortiz, Davis, McCulloch, Edu, Naismith, Jelavic (4-4-1-1)
Tip - Inverness 0-1 Rangers
Big Terry Butcher was fuming after not coming away from Dunfermline with a win in that crazy mate last weekend. Expect it to be a very tight affair, weather and pitch conditions may come into it as it has been pissing down all week up here.
Recent results suggest a close one with a possible rangers win but their defence could be dodgy if Broadfoot and Bartley have to play at centre backs.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Celtic v Dundee Utd (3pm)
Celtic
Injuries Izaguirre (fractured ankle)
Doubtful - Scott Brown (subbed off for Scotland) Beram Kayal (ankle)
Available Squad :Zaluska, Matthews, M Wilson, Mulgrew, K Wilson, Majstorovic, Brown, Kayal, Ki, Ledley, Wanyama, Commons, Forrest, McCourt, Hooper, Stokes, Samaras, Cervi, Maloney.
Possible XI - Zaluska, Wilson, Majstrorovic, Matthews, Mulgrew, Ki, Ledley, Forrest, Commons, Stokes, Hopper (4-4-2)
Dundee Utd
Injuries - Scott Severin (out for season triple leg break)
Doubtful - Gary Mackay-Steven (ankle)
Available Squad : Pernis, Dillon, Dixon, Kenneth, Watson, Douglas, Robertson, Allan, Flood, Rankin, Russell, Daly, Dow, Smith, Hilson, Armstrong, Mackay-Steven, Banks.
Possible XI - Pernis, Dillon, Dixon, Kenneth, Swanson, Flood, Rankin, Watson, Allan, Russell, Daly (4-4-2)
Tip - Celtic 2-0 Dundee Utd
Big blow for both teams last week with leg breaks for both Severin and Izaguirre, Celtic at home will have too much for Utd. Silly short price for a Celtic win though but Dundee Utd haven't beaten Celtic at Parkhead for over a decade! Might well take the -1.5 A/H on Celtic but just heard Kayal is a doubt after getting a knock on international duty!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hearts v Aberdeen (3pm)
Hearts
Suspended - Ian Black
Injuries - Kevin Kyle and Calum Elliot, Stephen Elliott (dead leg), David Obua (hamstring)
Doubtful - David Templeton (ankle), Adrian Mrowiec (knee), Jamie Hamill (leg) and Danny Grainger (wife having a baby)
Available Squad : Kello, McGowan, Zaliukas, Jonsson, Grainger, Mrowiec, Templeton, Stevenson, Sutton, Balogh, MacDonald, Smith, Barr, Skacel, Novikovas, Hamill, Robinson, Driver.
Possible XI - Kello, McGowan, Zaliukas, Jonsson, Grainger, Hamill, Skacel, Stevenson, Templeton, Driver, Sutton (4-5-1)
Aberdeen
Doubtful - Peter Pawlett, Fraser Fyvie, Clark, Mawene
Available Squad : Gonzalez, Foster, Considine, Arnason, Robertson, Magennis, Paton, Milsom, Osbourne, Pawlett, Megginson, Vernon, Low , Mackie, Jason Brown, McArdle, Jordan Brown, Fraser, Clark, Mawene, Fyvie, Jack.
Possible XI - Gonzalez, Forster, Considine, McArdle, Arnason, Mackie, Osbourne, Milsom, Jack, Vernon, Magennis (4-4-2)
Tip : Hearts 1-0
Geez, I was going to smash Hearts to win here but there is a lot of doubt on the fitness of a number of players so NO BET for me but if Hearts can manage to get out a decent team I reckon they should beat a poor Aberdeen side. Aberdeen did have much improved performance against Celtic but rarely threaten a goal.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
St Johnstone v Dunfermline (3pm)
St Johnstone
Injuries - Chris Millar (groin) Sam Parkin
Available Squad : Enckelman, MacKay, Wright, Anderson, Callum Davidson, Robertson, Moon, Morris, Murray Davidson, Craig, Haber, Sheridan, May, Mannus, Maybury, Moffat, Sandaza, Steeves
Possible XI - Enckelman, MacKay, C. Davidson, Wright, Anderson, M. Davidson, Morris, Moon, Robertson, Sheridan, Sandaza (4-4-2)
Dunfermline
Injuries - Steven Bell (Achilles) Nicky Phinn (hamstring), Kevin Rutkiewicz (thigh)
Available Squad : Gallacher, Jason Thomson, Potter, Boyle, McCann, Keddie, Dowie, McDougall, Kirk, Barrowman, Burns, Mason, Hardie, Cardle, Ryan Thomson, Graham, Smith, Buchanan, Clarke, Willis.
Possible XI -Gallacher, Thomson, Potter, Keddie, McCann, Burns, Masson, Cardle, Hardie, Barrowman, Kirk (4-4-2)
Tip - St Johnstone 1-0 Dunfermline
Got zero interest in this one, St Johnstone for me are just a rubbish team that make up the numbers in the SPL, I expect Dunfermline will try to be better in defence after giving up 3 at home last week. Sandaza might make the starting line up, he used to play for Dundee Utd and could be a good partner for Sheridan up front for St Johnstone. Take under 2.5 zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
St Mirren v Motherwell (3pm)
St Mirren
Suspensions - Hasselbaink
Injuries - Darren McGregor, Hugh Murray, Aaron Mooy, Graeme Smith, David Barron all out.
Available Squad : Samson, Van Zanten, Tesselaar, McAusland, Mair, Goodwin, McGowan, Teale, Thomson, Thompson, McQuade, McLean, McShane, McHugh, McKernon, Carey, Kennedy, McQuade.
Possible XI - Samson, Van Zanten, Tesselaar, McAusland, Mair, Goodwin, Thomson, McGowan, McShane, Teale, Thompson (4-4-3)
Motherwell
Suspension - Keith Lasley
Injuries - Steven Saunders (achillies)
Available squad :Randolph, Hateley, Hammell, Craigan, Hutchinson, Jennings, Forbes, Law, Humphrey, Murphy, Higdon, McHugh, Smith, Lawless, Carswell, Page, Pollock, Hollis.
Possible XI - Randolph, Hateley, Hammell, Craigan, Hutchinson, Law, Jennings, Carswell, Humphrey, Murphy, Higdon
Tip : St Mirren 0-1 Motherwell
Two teams that like to get the ball down and play, Motherwell have a lot of good young players and I think Staurt McCall is a decent manager for them. Will take Motherwell to just nick this one. (with no great certainy....)
Inverness CT
Injuries - Kenny Gillet (hamstring), David Proctor (hamstring) Billy McKay (ankle), Josh Meekings (ankle) Lee Cox (pelvis)
Available Squad : Esson, Tokely, Hogg, Aldred, Ross, Jones, Sutherland, Hayes, Tansey, Doran, Foran, Tade, Piermayr, Graeme Shinnie, Andrew Shinnie, Tuffey, Laing, Morrison, Polworth, Smith.
Possible XI - Esson, Piermayr, Hogg, Tokely, Aldred, Hayes, Tansey, Tudor Jones, Doran, Foran Tade (4-4-2)
Rangers
Injuries - Sasa Papac (chest infection) Steven Whittaker (broken toe)
Doubtful - David Weir
Available Squad :McGregor, Whittaker, Wallace, Goian, Davis, McCulloch, Ortiz, Edu, Wylde, Naismith, Jelavic, Hemmings, Broadfoot, Alexander, Fleck, Healy, Hutton, Bartley.
Possible XI - McGregor, Wallace, Bartley, Broadfoot, Goian, Ortiz, Davis, McCulloch, Edu, Naismith, Jelavic (4-4-1-1)
Tip - Inverness 0-1 Rangers
Big Terry Butcher was fuming after not coming away from Dunfermline with a win in that crazy mate last weekend. Expect it to be a very tight affair, weather and pitch conditions may come into it as it has been pissing down all week up here.
Recent results suggest a close one with a possible rangers win but their defence could be dodgy if Broadfoot and Bartley have to play at centre backs.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Celtic v Dundee Utd (3pm)
Celtic
Injuries Izaguirre (fractured ankle)
Doubtful - Scott Brown (subbed off for Scotland) Beram Kayal (ankle)
Available Squad :Zaluska, Matthews, M Wilson, Mulgrew, K Wilson, Majstorovic, Brown, Kayal, Ki, Ledley, Wanyama, Commons, Forrest, McCourt, Hooper, Stokes, Samaras, Cervi, Maloney.
Possible XI - Zaluska, Wilson, Majstrorovic, Matthews, Mulgrew, Ki, Ledley, Forrest, Commons, Stokes, Hopper (4-4-2)
Dundee Utd
Injuries - Scott Severin (out for season triple leg break)
Doubtful - Gary Mackay-Steven (ankle)
Available Squad : Pernis, Dillon, Dixon, Kenneth, Watson, Douglas, Robertson, Allan, Flood, Rankin, Russell, Daly, Dow, Smith, Hilson, Armstrong, Mackay-Steven, Banks.
Possible XI - Pernis, Dillon, Dixon, Kenneth, Swanson, Flood, Rankin, Watson, Allan, Russell, Daly (4-4-2)
Tip - Celtic 2-0 Dundee Utd
Big blow for both teams last week with leg breaks for both Severin and Izaguirre, Celtic at home will have too much for Utd. Silly short price for a Celtic win though but Dundee Utd haven't beaten Celtic at Parkhead for over a decade! Might well take the -1.5 A/H on Celtic but just heard Kayal is a doubt after getting a knock on international duty!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hearts v Aberdeen (3pm)
Hearts
Suspended - Ian Black
Injuries - Kevin Kyle and Calum Elliot, Stephen Elliott (dead leg), David Obua (hamstring)
Doubtful - David Templeton (ankle), Adrian Mrowiec (knee), Jamie Hamill (leg) and Danny Grainger (wife having a baby)
Available Squad : Kello, McGowan, Zaliukas, Jonsson, Grainger, Mrowiec, Templeton, Stevenson, Sutton, Balogh, MacDonald, Smith, Barr, Skacel, Novikovas, Hamill, Robinson, Driver.
Possible XI - Kello, McGowan, Zaliukas, Jonsson, Grainger, Hamill, Skacel, Stevenson, Templeton, Driver, Sutton (4-5-1)
Aberdeen
Doubtful - Peter Pawlett, Fraser Fyvie, Clark, Mawene
Available Squad : Gonzalez, Foster, Considine, Arnason, Robertson, Magennis, Paton, Milsom, Osbourne, Pawlett, Megginson, Vernon, Low , Mackie, Jason Brown, McArdle, Jordan Brown, Fraser, Clark, Mawene, Fyvie, Jack.
Possible XI - Gonzalez, Forster, Considine, McArdle, Arnason, Mackie, Osbourne, Milsom, Jack, Vernon, Magennis (4-4-2)
Tip : Hearts 1-0
Geez, I was going to smash Hearts to win here but there is a lot of doubt on the fitness of a number of players so NO BET for me but if Hearts can manage to get out a decent team I reckon they should beat a poor Aberdeen side. Aberdeen did have much improved performance against Celtic but rarely threaten a goal.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
St Johnstone v Dunfermline (3pm)
St Johnstone
Injuries - Chris Millar (groin) Sam Parkin
Available Squad : Enckelman, MacKay, Wright, Anderson, Callum Davidson, Robertson, Moon, Morris, Murray Davidson, Craig, Haber, Sheridan, May, Mannus, Maybury, Moffat, Sandaza, Steeves
Possible XI - Enckelman, MacKay, C. Davidson, Wright, Anderson, M. Davidson, Morris, Moon, Robertson, Sheridan, Sandaza (4-4-2)
Dunfermline
Injuries - Steven Bell (Achilles) Nicky Phinn (hamstring), Kevin Rutkiewicz (thigh)
Available Squad : Gallacher, Jason Thomson, Potter, Boyle, McCann, Keddie, Dowie, McDougall, Kirk, Barrowman, Burns, Mason, Hardie, Cardle, Ryan Thomson, Graham, Smith, Buchanan, Clarke, Willis.
Possible XI -Gallacher, Thomson, Potter, Keddie, McCann, Burns, Masson, Cardle, Hardie, Barrowman, Kirk (4-4-2)
Tip - St Johnstone 1-0 Dunfermline
Got zero interest in this one, St Johnstone for me are just a rubbish team that make up the numbers in the SPL, I expect Dunfermline will try to be better in defence after giving up 3 at home last week. Sandaza might make the starting line up, he used to play for Dundee Utd and could be a good partner for Sheridan up front for St Johnstone. Take under 2.5 zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
St Mirren v Motherwell (3pm)
St Mirren
Suspensions - Hasselbaink
Injuries - Darren McGregor, Hugh Murray, Aaron Mooy, Graeme Smith, David Barron all out.
Available Squad : Samson, Van Zanten, Tesselaar, McAusland, Mair, Goodwin, McGowan, Teale, Thomson, Thompson, McQuade, McLean, McShane, McHugh, McKernon, Carey, Kennedy, McQuade.
Possible XI - Samson, Van Zanten, Tesselaar, McAusland, Mair, Goodwin, Thomson, McGowan, McShane, Teale, Thompson (4-4-3)
Motherwell
Suspension - Keith Lasley
Injuries - Steven Saunders (achillies)
Available squad :Randolph, Hateley, Hammell, Craigan, Hutchinson, Jennings, Forbes, Law, Humphrey, Murphy, Higdon, McHugh, Smith, Lawless, Carswell, Page, Pollock, Hollis.
Possible XI - Randolph, Hateley, Hammell, Craigan, Hutchinson, Law, Jennings, Carswell, Humphrey, Murphy, Higdon
Tip : St Mirren 0-1 Motherwell
Two teams that like to get the ball down and play, Motherwell have a lot of good young players and I think Staurt McCall is a decent manager for them. Will take Motherwell to just nick this one. (with no great certainy....)
Saturday 6 August 2011
SPL PREVIEW
Aberdeen v Celtic
Football : Scottish Premier League
Sunday 07/08/2011 - Kickoff 12.15 (local)
Aberdeen
Aberdeen manager, Craig Brown, was asked in his media conference whether there would be a repeat of last seasons results against Celtic? He replied, "I hope not, the results were not good" this is understatement of the century. They played each other 5 times, Celtic won all matches and with a staggering aggregate score of 21-1 including a 9-0 hiding. So, its fair to say this is a match the players and fans are probably a little nervous about.
Last thing Aberdeen need is a weakened squad but Ryan Jack will miss this game through suspension and Chris Clark (knee), Youl Mawene (hamstring) and Fraser Fyvie (groin) are all marked down as doubtful to make this match.
I do worry a bit for Aberdeen this season as they are always fielding a very young and inexperienced team that seems to lack the fighting qualities needed when things are not going their way.
Possible Aberdeen Lineup :
Gonzalez, Foster, Considine, Arnason, Robertson, Pawlett, Osbourne, Milsom, Magennis, Mackie, Vernon
Celtic
This will be only Celtic's second league game of the season after, for some unexplained reason, both Old Firm teams were given permission to take a week off league fixtures to allow them to play lucrative friendlies instead. This is an absolute liberty if you as me!
Anyway, they actually find themselves a little light at the back following injuries to Loovens, Rogne and Mark Wilson. So expect to see Mulgrew partner Majstorovic at the back and Cha Ru-Ri come in at wing back. Captain Scott Brown will also miss this through suspension but I think that just delays the headache for Lennon of trying to get his captain back into the starting XI.
Celtic should be fully warmed up having now played 4 friendlies since their opening day victory at Hibs and they will be geed up by knowing a win will put them top of the league as the only team with maximum points.
Possible Celtic lineup :
Zaluska, Izaguirre, Majstorovic, Mulgrew, Cha Du-Ri, Kayal, Ki, Ledley, Commons, Stokes, Hooper
THE BETTING VERDICT
With last seasons shocking results for Aberdeenin this fixture it is very hard to find an angle to give them any hope in this match. They have a poor and inexperienced squad that really could struggle this season. Celtic have far superior quality and I can only see the likes of Kayal and Ki completely dominating the midfield and with attacking players such as Izaguirre, Commons, Stokes and Hooper it could again be a very long 90 mins for Aberdeen to endure. Really has got to be an away win, the question is, how many?
THE PICK
Aberdeen 0-3 Celtic
PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE
Aberdeen 10% Celtic 70% Draw 20%
THE BET
Big hitters should take the 1.36 available on a Celtic win.
ASIAN HANDICAP
Take Celtic to beat the -1.5 goal A/H
http://www.goonersguide.com/football-pick-11283-Aberdeen-v-Celtic.htm
Football : Scottish Premier League
Sunday 07/08/2011 - Kickoff 12.15 (local)
Aberdeen
Aberdeen manager, Craig Brown, was asked in his media conference whether there would be a repeat of last seasons results against Celtic? He replied, "I hope not, the results were not good" this is understatement of the century. They played each other 5 times, Celtic won all matches and with a staggering aggregate score of 21-1 including a 9-0 hiding. So, its fair to say this is a match the players and fans are probably a little nervous about.
Last thing Aberdeen need is a weakened squad but Ryan Jack will miss this game through suspension and Chris Clark (knee), Youl Mawene (hamstring) and Fraser Fyvie (groin) are all marked down as doubtful to make this match.
I do worry a bit for Aberdeen this season as they are always fielding a very young and inexperienced team that seems to lack the fighting qualities needed when things are not going their way.
Possible Aberdeen Lineup :
Gonzalez, Foster, Considine, Arnason, Robertson, Pawlett, Osbourne, Milsom, Magennis, Mackie, Vernon
Celtic
This will be only Celtic's second league game of the season after, for some unexplained reason, both Old Firm teams were given permission to take a week off league fixtures to allow them to play lucrative friendlies instead. This is an absolute liberty if you as me!
Anyway, they actually find themselves a little light at the back following injuries to Loovens, Rogne and Mark Wilson. So expect to see Mulgrew partner Majstorovic at the back and Cha Ru-Ri come in at wing back. Captain Scott Brown will also miss this through suspension but I think that just delays the headache for Lennon of trying to get his captain back into the starting XI.
Celtic should be fully warmed up having now played 4 friendlies since their opening day victory at Hibs and they will be geed up by knowing a win will put them top of the league as the only team with maximum points.
Possible Celtic lineup :
Zaluska, Izaguirre, Majstorovic, Mulgrew, Cha Du-Ri, Kayal, Ki, Ledley, Commons, Stokes, Hooper
THE BETTING VERDICT
With last seasons shocking results for Aberdeenin this fixture it is very hard to find an angle to give them any hope in this match. They have a poor and inexperienced squad that really could struggle this season. Celtic have far superior quality and I can only see the likes of Kayal and Ki completely dominating the midfield and with attacking players such as Izaguirre, Commons, Stokes and Hooper it could again be a very long 90 mins for Aberdeen to endure. Really has got to be an away win, the question is, how many?
THE PICK
Aberdeen 0-3 Celtic
PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE
Aberdeen 10% Celtic 70% Draw 20%
THE BET
Big hitters should take the 1.36 available on a Celtic win.
ASIAN HANDICAP
Take Celtic to beat the -1.5 goal A/H
http://www.goonersguide.com/football-pick-11283-Aberdeen-v-Celtic.htm
Friday 5 August 2011
SPL - PREVIEW
Dundee Utd v St Mirren
Football : Scottish Premier League
Saturday 06/08/2011 - Kickoff 15.00 (local)
Dundee Utd
I've got to admit that Dundee Utd surprised me with their 1-0 victory over Hearts last week. Not just the win but the manner of win. Everbody I spoke to that was at Tynecastle were in no doubt that Dundee Utd thoroughly deserved the win and on another day the scoreline could have been more than just the one goal.
So it seems the departure of Goodwillie to Blackburn has not been felt too badly, although the fans will be disappointed to read today that none of the transfer money will be going towards new players. Instead the bank will scoop up the money in an attempt to reduce the debt.
Dundee Utd have no injury worries going into this match with the only doubt being winger Danny Swanson who has picked up a virus.
Possible Dundee Utd Lineup :
Pernis, Watson, Kenneth, Dixon, Dillion, Mackay-Stevens, Severin, Flood, Rankin, Daly, Russell (4-4-2)
St Mirren
St Mirren will be more than happy with the start they have had to the season, especially as some thought it may have taken time to bed in the new players and the 4-3-3 system that manager Danny Lennon is playing.
They got their first win of the season under their belts at home to Aberdeen last week and played an attractive brand of football which is going to be a feature for them this season win, lose or draw. It was an unchanged side from the opening day draw against Dunfermline and I expect the same team to play here.
Injuries - Hugh Murray ( Knee - 4 months) Aaron Mooy ( Back - 1 week) Graeme Smith (Finger - 1 week)
Doubtful - Paul McQuade (tweaked hamstring)
Possible St Mirren lineup:
Samson, van Zanten, Mair, McGregor, Tesselaar, Thomson, Goodwin, McGowan, Teale, Thompson, Hasselbaink (4-4-3)
THE BETTING VERDICT
With the style of football that St Mirren are playing I think we can expect an open game that will produce end to end stuff. Goals are likely here with Daly and Russell for the home side looking very dangerous and St Mirren playing three up front. I have ruled out a 0-0 result! People who like a bet on over 2.5 goals should consider this at just better than evens.
St Mirren are yet to concede a goal this season but I can see Dundee Utd giving them real problems at the back. United are a big physical side which St Mirren have not come across so far and Russell and Daly will prove to be more than a handful.
Dundee Utd didn't manage a win over St Mirren last season and this is something manager Peter Huston has mentioned he wants to put right. Considering the great performance they put in against Hearts last week I see them over powering St Mirren and winning this match.
THE PICK
Dundee Utd 2-1 St Mirren
PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE
Dundee Utd 57% St Mirren 18% Draw 25 %
THE BET
I'll take Dundee Utd to win @ 1.84 (Pinnacle)
Wednesday 3 August 2011
Tennis Pick
Washington ATP 500 - Hard Court
I'm taking Grigor Dimitrov to beat Michael Lodra later on tonight. If you look at the line movement in this match it is clear there is something going on. Early this morning Lodra was priced at 1.6 and suddenly he is now 2.02 dog. This suggest there has been an injury leak or somebody knows something.
Also Lodra has not really performed in the US in the past and Dimitrov does lead the H2H 1-0.
I managed to bag Dimitrov @ 2.3 but he is now trading at 1.94
Saturday 30 July 2011
SPL PREVIEW
Hearts v Dundee Utd
Football : Scottish Premier League Saturday 31/07/2011 - Kickoff 15.00 (local)
Hearts
Hearts were on Europa League qualifying duty on Thursday night which saw them taking a vital away goal back to Tynecastle for the return leg with a 1-1 draw away to Hungarian team Paks. To be honest watching the game Hearts were actually unlucky to have not won the match having dominated large periods of the game.
What is encouraging for boss Jim Jeffries is his players are showing a contination of the early season form that took a point away from Ibrox last week. Also, Hearts have done this without a number of first team players with Kevin Kyle, Andy Webster, Rudi Skacel and Andrew Driver still unavailable.
You've got to think that Dundee Utd will be one of the main challangers to Hearts for 3rd place this season so this game is an important one for the Gorgie side to win. Jeffries will be looking for a huge effort despite their midweek exertions.
Hearts are without Jamie Hamill through suspension.
Possible Hearts Lineup :
Kello, McGowan, Zaliukas, Jonsson, Grainger, Black, Mrowiec, Templeton, Obua, Stevenson, Sutton
Dundee Utd
The main talking point from a Dundee United perspective is the imminent transfer of striker David Goodwillie out of the club with a 2.8m deal to take him to Blackburn all but done. Whether it goes through or not I don't really expect him to play in this match anyway.
Dundee United have a pretty good team this year with the additions of John Rakin from Hibs and bringing back Willo Flood their midfield will be creative and they have 2 great young wide players in Gary Mackay-Stevens and Danny Swanson. I imagine they will be hunting for a replacement to Goodwillie up front to partner Russell.
Manager Peter Huston, will be a bit disappointed with his sides performanace so far this season having been knocked out of the Europa Cup qualifying round at the first asking on away goals when they were in a winning position. Then last week they had to rescue a draw from a home tie with Kilmarnock where they were under serious pressure throughout the match.
Possible Dundee Utd lineup:
Pernis, Watson, Dillion, Dixon, Douglas, Severin, Flood, Mackay-Stevens, Rakin, Daly, Russell
PREDICTION
The key to victory for Hearts will be to take care of the inventive Willo Flood and limit the service striker Russell receives. David Templeton has been Heart's best player so far and it is noticable most of the good play comes through his ability to beat players down the left wing. They will be looking to play the ball through him as much as possible.
One thing I have noticed in recent encounters between these two teams is that the away side rarely wins, with this in mind and the confidence that Hearts are carrying at the moment I will take them to edge it here with possibly John Sutton grabbing a goal on his home debut.
THE PICK
Hearts 1-0 Dundee Utd
PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE
Hearts 50% Dundee Utd 25% Draw 25%
THE BET
Take Hearts to win available @ 2.12 (Pinnacle)
Friday 29 July 2011
SPL PREVIEW
St Mirren v Aberdeen
Football : Scottish Premier League
Date: 30/07/2011
Time: 15.00 (local)
Football : Scottish Premier League
Date: 30/07/2011
Time: 15.00 (local)
St Mirren
So far, for me, St Mirren boss Danny Lennon has been the most active in the close season bringing in no less than 7 quality signings that will really strengthen the squad he already has. I'm still not actually sure how he managed to do it but Steven Thompson, Nigel Hasselbaink, Paul McGowan, Graeme Smith, Gary Teale, Graham Carey and Jeroen Tesselaar have all be signed with the only noticable loss being striker Higdon to Motherwell.
These signings show the attacking intent that St Mirren will play with this season. I am told that they will play the same team as last weekend which saw a 4-3-3 formation with Teale, Thompson and Hasselbaink upfront.
St Mirren were very unlucky not to start the season off with 3pts against Dunfermline after dominating large periods of the match and Thompson missing a penalty on his debut. They will take heart though from a very encouraging performance and as their manager says look to turn the narrow draws into wins.
St Mirren are without Kennedy and McKernon through suspension.
Possible Lineup: Samson, Van Zanten, McGregor, Mair, Tesselaar, Thomson, Goodwin, McGowan, Teale, Thompson, Hasselbaink
Aberdeen
What has happened to the "famous" Aberdeen in recent years? Well, to put it bluntly they have made a succession of terrible managerial appointments which has left the club on its knees and in dire need of a turnaround.
So, in an attempt to rectify the situation the board have turned to the very capable hands of Craig Brown and assistant Archie Knox, who were brought in to clean up the mess left behind after the dismissal of former legend Mark McGee back in January. Brown did a decent job towards the end of last season and it will be interesting to see if he can restore the club to it's former glory now he has had the chance to shape the team and add some of his signings.
Brown's changes have started right from the back with keeper Gonzalez being loaned from Man City to cover Jamie Langfield who suffered some kind of seizure at the end of May and it now seems his football career is uncertain. In defence Brown has has to replace Zander Diamond, who went to Oldham, with Youl Mawene a player he managed in his time at Preston. Icelandic midfielder Kari Arnason has been brought in to beef up the midfield and with the return to fitness of the promising Fyvie things are already looking better.
Also back from a loan spell at Rangers is the versatile Ricky Foster who can play at left back or midfield, he was handed the captains armband this season to stave off thoughts of a perminent move away from the club. Up front though Brown has lost the services of both Chris Maguire and Sone Aluko so it will be up to Darren Mackie and Scott Vernon to get the goals.
Aberdeen will be without the suspended Ryan Jack following a red card last week.
Possible lineup : Gonzalez, Mawene, Considine, Forster, Arnason, Fyvie, Pawlett, Osbourne, Milson, Vernon, Mackie.
PREDICTION
The Scottish season started ridiculously early which a few managers were not really happy about which I believe lead to both of these teams starting off the season with rather unsatisfactory nil all draws.
Now with an extra weeks training allowing the new team mates to gel I imagine St Mirren will be the more likely to claim a tight victory here.
If we look at the previous years results, it seems to stack up. St Mirren won 3 out of the 4 league meetings, with Aberdeen winning in the cup after a replay was required.
I like both teams to score here and wouldn't rule out a score draw but my gut feel is that St Mirrens new fire power will bag the result.
RECENT ENCOUNTERS
2010/2011 Tue 10 May Aberdeen 0 - 1 St. Mirren SPL
2010/2011 Wed 06 Apr St. Mirren 3 - 2 Aberdeen SPL
2010/2011 Wed 16 Mar Aberdeen 2 - 1 St. Mirren SFAC
2010/2011 Sat 12 Mar St. Mirren 1 - 1 Aberdeen SFAC
2010/2011 Sat 15 Jan Aberdeen 2 - 0 St. Mirren SPL
2010/2011 Sat 30 Oct St. Mirren 2 - 1 Aberdeen SPL
2009/2010 Sat 08 May St. Mirren 0 - 1 Aberdeen SPL
THE PICK
St Mirren 2 - 1 Aberdeen
PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE
St Mirren 35% Aberdeen 30% Draw 35%
THE BET
I recommend both teams to score @ 2.00 (1.8 unit stake)
also
Take St Mirren with DRAW NO BET @ 1.85 (2 unit stake)
Sunday 24 July 2011
SPL Picks - Sunday 24th July
Taking Celtic to beat Hibs with the -1.5 Asian Handicap @2.07(Unit stake 7)
I reckon Hibs will get dominated in midfield by Kayal and Ki Sung-Yeung and the attacking trio of Commons, Hooper and Stokes will run amok!
Hibs are playing a bunch of kids, might work for SAF but not for the dirty Hibees.
I reckon Hibs will get dominated in midfield by Kayal and Ki Sung-Yeung and the attacking trio of Commons, Hooper and Stokes will run amok!
Hibs are playing a bunch of kids, might work for SAF but not for the dirty Hibees.
Friday 22 July 2011
Couple of Tennis Picks today
Hamburg ATP (GER) - Clay
and
Mikhail Youzhny @1.59 to beat Marin Cilic (2 unit stake)
and
Nicolas Almagro @1.45 to beat Florian Mayer (2 unit stake)
SPL Update
Since posting the preview below, Rangers have signed Hearts left back, Lee Wallace, for £1.5m.
There is the possibility that he will go straight into the team if Papac is not quite fit.
Hearts will need to play their new signing Danny Grainger, who now it seems was bought as a replacement for Wallace expected departure.
This is a bit of a blow for Hearts as Wallace is a good player and its never good to loose an Internationalist.
There is the possibility that he will go straight into the team if Papac is not quite fit.
Hearts will need to play their new signing Danny Grainger, who now it seems was bought as a replacement for Wallace expected departure.
This is a bit of a blow for Hearts as Wallace is a good player and its never good to loose an Internationalist.
Thursday 21 July 2011
SPL PREVIEW
Rangers v Hearts
Scottish Premier League
Date: 23/07/2011
Time: 12.30 (local)
Rangers
This campaign see's the start of a new era for the champions with Walter Smith standing down and Super Ally stepping up from his assistant role. McCoist has been the perfect apprentice under his mentor Smith and I don't think there is anyone better placed to really truely know the club, their fans and the pressures that are demanded in Glasgow where every game is a must win.
Transfer wise they have been relatively quiet with the only noticable signing coming in being the left sided midfielder Ortiz from Spanish side Almeria. I imagine there will be a couple more to come with Villa's Cuellar keeping them waiting and the possiblity of another former player, Kenny Miller, returning but whatever happens they seem unlikey to be in place to make Saturday's squad.
Rangers have had a pretty uninspiring preseason, with a tour of Germany seeing defeats from Sportfreude, Bochum and Bayer Leverkusen. Rangers didn't even manage a goal in any of these games but no doubt fitness was the main aim. I watched them play a friendly with Blackpool on Tuesday night and I expect the team put out in the first half will be the one that starts against Hearts on saturday with the only exception being veteran David Weir as he is carrying a suspension from last season. Sasa Papac then should fill in at left back with Kirk Broadfoot standing in for Weir in the heart of defence. Rangers looked match fit and not surprisingly a lot sharper than Blackpool and ran out comfortable 2-0 winners thanks to a double from Steven Davis.
A slight worry for McCoist is that they are lacking a little upfront with Kyle Lafferty out till the end of August after a hernia op so it is a little bit of a surprise they were not a bit more proactive in trying to get Kenny Miller back to the club. They will have to settle for now with Jelavic playing the lone striker role supported by attacking midfielder Naismith.
Possible Lineup : McGregor, Whittaker,Bougherra, Broadfoot, Papac, Davis, Edu, McCulloch, Ortiz, Naismith, Jelavic
Hearts
Hearts finished third last season and although they ended up a massive 30 points behind the old firm I think this gap could have been considerably closer had they not suffered injuries to key players after christmas. So manager Jim Jefferies has done well to add some proven SPL quality players to his squad this season in Jamie Hamill, John Sutton, Danny Grainger and Mehdi Taoul and if they can secure the services of Rudi Skacel they should maintain their status as the best of the rest.
In John Sutton, younger brother of Chris Sutton, they have bought a goal scorer who is capable of getting double figures for the season and he will be vital back up for Kevin Kyle who is constantly injured.
Hearts too have had a pretty quiet warm up to the season with a 3-0 win over East Fife, a 1-0 defeat to Livingston and a final pre-season victory over Belgian side Royal Antwerp 1-0.
It's fair to say that an away trip to Ibrox for Hearts is not really a fixture Hearts relish and one that they very rarely get anything from. It really does prove grim reading for the Hearts fans when looking at past results, in fact you have to back as far as May 2004 for their last and only victory this century in Glasgow!
Possible lineup : Kello, Wallace, Webster, Zaliukas, Jonsson, Templeton, Taouil, Black, Obua, Stevenson, Sutton
PREDICTION
Rangers and Hearts will be well prepared for this match as they both have european qualifying ties the following midweek so I expect them to be up to match speed.
With Hearts likely to be still without key players Driver, Skacel and Kyle and Rangers basically playing their full strength title winning team from last season, given past form, I can't see past anything other than a convincing opening day victory for Rangers.
It's also worth pointing out that Hearts have quite a history of getting players sent off in this fixture and with discipline not one of their strong points, finishing the game with 11 men might be an achievement in itself.
THE PICK
Rangers 3-0 Hearts
PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE
Rangers 70% Hearts 10% Draw 20%
THE BET
Although Rangers are short odds on, I recommend taking the odds of around 1.40 (7 unit stake)
Scottish Premier League
Date: 23/07/2011
Time: 12.30 (local)
Rangers
This campaign see's the start of a new era for the champions with Walter Smith standing down and Super Ally stepping up from his assistant role. McCoist has been the perfect apprentice under his mentor Smith and I don't think there is anyone better placed to really truely know the club, their fans and the pressures that are demanded in Glasgow where every game is a must win.
Transfer wise they have been relatively quiet with the only noticable signing coming in being the left sided midfielder Ortiz from Spanish side Almeria. I imagine there will be a couple more to come with Villa's Cuellar keeping them waiting and the possiblity of another former player, Kenny Miller, returning but whatever happens they seem unlikey to be in place to make Saturday's squad.
Rangers have had a pretty uninspiring preseason, with a tour of Germany seeing defeats from Sportfreude, Bochum and Bayer Leverkusen. Rangers didn't even manage a goal in any of these games but no doubt fitness was the main aim. I watched them play a friendly with Blackpool on Tuesday night and I expect the team put out in the first half will be the one that starts against Hearts on saturday with the only exception being veteran David Weir as he is carrying a suspension from last season. Sasa Papac then should fill in at left back with Kirk Broadfoot standing in for Weir in the heart of defence. Rangers looked match fit and not surprisingly a lot sharper than Blackpool and ran out comfortable 2-0 winners thanks to a double from Steven Davis.
A slight worry for McCoist is that they are lacking a little upfront with Kyle Lafferty out till the end of August after a hernia op so it is a little bit of a surprise they were not a bit more proactive in trying to get Kenny Miller back to the club. They will have to settle for now with Jelavic playing the lone striker role supported by attacking midfielder Naismith.
Possible Lineup : McGregor, Whittaker,Bougherra, Broadfoot, Papac, Davis, Edu, McCulloch, Ortiz, Naismith, Jelavic
Hearts
Hearts finished third last season and although they ended up a massive 30 points behind the old firm I think this gap could have been considerably closer had they not suffered injuries to key players after christmas. So manager Jim Jefferies has done well to add some proven SPL quality players to his squad this season in Jamie Hamill, John Sutton, Danny Grainger and Mehdi Taoul and if they can secure the services of Rudi Skacel they should maintain their status as the best of the rest.
In John Sutton, younger brother of Chris Sutton, they have bought a goal scorer who is capable of getting double figures for the season and he will be vital back up for Kevin Kyle who is constantly injured.
Hearts too have had a pretty quiet warm up to the season with a 3-0 win over East Fife, a 1-0 defeat to Livingston and a final pre-season victory over Belgian side Royal Antwerp 1-0.
It's fair to say that an away trip to Ibrox for Hearts is not really a fixture Hearts relish and one that they very rarely get anything from. It really does prove grim reading for the Hearts fans when looking at past results, in fact you have to back as far as May 2004 for their last and only victory this century in Glasgow!
Possible lineup : Kello, Wallace, Webster, Zaliukas, Jonsson, Templeton, Taouil, Black, Obua, Stevenson, Sutton
PREDICTION
Rangers and Hearts will be well prepared for this match as they both have european qualifying ties the following midweek so I expect them to be up to match speed.
With Hearts likely to be still without key players Driver, Skacel and Kyle and Rangers basically playing their full strength title winning team from last season, given past form, I can't see past anything other than a convincing opening day victory for Rangers.
It's also worth pointing out that Hearts have quite a history of getting players sent off in this fixture and with discipline not one of their strong points, finishing the game with 11 men might be an achievement in itself.
THE PICK
Rangers 3-0 Hearts
PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE
Rangers 70% Hearts 10% Draw 20%
THE BET
Although Rangers are short odds on, I recommend taking the odds of around 1.40 (7 unit stake)
Tuesday 19 July 2011
Copa America Preview
Paraguay v Venezuela
Copa America - Semi finals
Date: 21/07/2011
Time: 01:45
Dear Jim,
Please can you fix it for me to get one Copa America match to go as planned...........
Paraguay
So, Paraguay through to the semi finals and still to actually win a game in 90 mins! To be fair though they could so easily have qualified out of the group stages as winners but for Brazil's Fred snatching a last minute 2-2 draw and their opponents here somehow scoring two very late goals when a comfortable win was virtually secured. In the quarter final against Brazil they really did have their keeper to thank, who put in a true captains performance to take the game into penalties. It's worth noting that Paraguay didn't have a single shot on target the whole 120mins in that game though. As it happens Villar wasn't really required to do much in the shootout as Brazil and the dodgy penalty spot produced yet another Copa shocker.
I think Paraguay will fancy their chances against Venezuela, as they know from the group meeting that they are the better team. It will be interesting to see if they go again with Valdez and Barrios up front as I'm not sure of Santa Cruz's fitness. Alcaraz is suspended so I expect Piris to get in the starting XI
Possible Lineup: Villar, Piris, Da Silva, Veron, Torres, Barreto, Ortigoza, Riveros, Estigarribia, Valdez, Barrios
Venezuela
I have said from the start of the tournament that Venezuela are a poor side but yet here they are in the semi finals with Brazil, Argentina and Chile nowhere to be seen. This is already the biggest achievement in their history as it is the first time they have got to the semi final of the Copa America. I think they have done this with tough gritty performances and snatching the goals at vital moments in matches. If they are to make it to the final they are going to have to again defend well and look to play on the counter attack. I've watched Malaga's striker Rondon last season and he has already proven he is capable of taking his limited chances when they come. They will, however, be without one of their best players as Rincon saw red against Chile and will have to sit this one out.
Possible lineup : Vega, Rosales, Perozo, Vizcarrondo, Cichero, Lucena, Gonzalez, Arango, Miku, Meza, Rondon
HEAD TO HEAD
13/07/2011 Paraguay 3-3 Venezuela - Copa America
PREDICTION
As mentioned above I don't think the results have really given Paraguay the credit they deserve and taking into consideration the group game I really cant see anything else than a comfortable win for Paraguay as I believe they are the superior team and have the firepower required upfront.
THE PICK
Paraguay 2-0 Venezuela
PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE
Paraguay 50% Venezuela 20% Draw 30%
THE BET
I'm taking Paraguay to finally get the job done in 90mins @circa 2.1 (1 unit stake)
Copa America - Semi finals
Date: 21/07/2011
Time: 01:45
Dear Jim,
Please can you fix it for me to get one Copa America match to go as planned...........
Paraguay
So, Paraguay through to the semi finals and still to actually win a game in 90 mins! To be fair though they could so easily have qualified out of the group stages as winners but for Brazil's Fred snatching a last minute 2-2 draw and their opponents here somehow scoring two very late goals when a comfortable win was virtually secured. In the quarter final against Brazil they really did have their keeper to thank, who put in a true captains performance to take the game into penalties. It's worth noting that Paraguay didn't have a single shot on target the whole 120mins in that game though. As it happens Villar wasn't really required to do much in the shootout as Brazil and the dodgy penalty spot produced yet another Copa shocker.
I think Paraguay will fancy their chances against Venezuela, as they know from the group meeting that they are the better team. It will be interesting to see if they go again with Valdez and Barrios up front as I'm not sure of Santa Cruz's fitness. Alcaraz is suspended so I expect Piris to get in the starting XI
Possible Lineup: Villar, Piris, Da Silva, Veron, Torres, Barreto, Ortigoza, Riveros, Estigarribia, Valdez, Barrios
Venezuela
I have said from the start of the tournament that Venezuela are a poor side but yet here they are in the semi finals with Brazil, Argentina and Chile nowhere to be seen. This is already the biggest achievement in their history as it is the first time they have got to the semi final of the Copa America. I think they have done this with tough gritty performances and snatching the goals at vital moments in matches. If they are to make it to the final they are going to have to again defend well and look to play on the counter attack. I've watched Malaga's striker Rondon last season and he has already proven he is capable of taking his limited chances when they come. They will, however, be without one of their best players as Rincon saw red against Chile and will have to sit this one out.
Possible lineup : Vega, Rosales, Perozo, Vizcarrondo, Cichero, Lucena, Gonzalez, Arango, Miku, Meza, Rondon
HEAD TO HEAD
13/07/2011 Paraguay 3-3 Venezuela - Copa America
PREDICTION
As mentioned above I don't think the results have really given Paraguay the credit they deserve and taking into consideration the group game I really cant see anything else than a comfortable win for Paraguay as I believe they are the superior team and have the firepower required upfront.
THE PICK
Paraguay 2-0 Venezuela
PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE
Paraguay 50% Venezuela 20% Draw 30%
THE BET
I'm taking Paraguay to finally get the job done in 90mins @circa 2.1 (1 unit stake)
Saturday 16 July 2011
Copa America Preview : Argentina v Uruguay
Copa America - Quarter Final
Saturday 16th July 2011 - Kick Off 11.15pm
Santa Fe
Copa America reaches the Quarter Final stages and we have two teams clashing here that started slowly at best.
Argentina
On paper, hosts Argentina are unbeaten have only conceded one goal and are a couple of matches away from the final! However, anybody having stayed up to watch their opening two group games will know that it could so easily have been a very different, almost unthinkable, story. It's true Bolivia were close to pulling off a shock in the tournament curtain raiser and Colombia should really have taken 3pts from their match but the simple fact is they didn't. Sergio Batista had to hold his hands up and admit his attempt to replicate Barcelona's 4-3-3 was just not working and was seeming to frustrate his super stars and most noticeably Messi was struggling to make an impact. So under the mounting pressure of the nation he did what basically everybody was calling for in the must win game against Costa Rica and resorted back to their more familiar 4-2-1-3 system. This allowed them to play, for me, their more dangerous players Aguero and Di Maria out wide with Higuain through the middle and gave them the opportunity to get the best out of Messi playing just in behind.
I fully expect Argentina to be unchanged as for the first time this Copa they actually looked confident in their ability to create enough chances in a match.
Expected Lineup : Romero, Zabaleta, Milito, Burdisso, Zanetti, Mascherano, Gago, Messi, Di Maria, Aguero, Higuain
Uruguay
Again, on paper Uruguay are unbeaten and a couple of matches away from the final.... but I've got to admit I have been a bit disappointed with them. I had a modest bet on them in the winners market at odds of 12.5 with a view to be able to trade out at a decent price if everything had panned out as it was meant to and they hit the tournament's perceived big boys in the semi finals. As it is with the expected group winners not quite going to plan they are meeting a round earlier and I've had to trade out with my tail between my legs.
Uruguay's problem for me is two fold, they are lacking any creativity in the centre of the park and secondly they consistently fail to take their chances up front when they come. Forlan has had an awful season in Spain and I imagine he hoped Copa America would be a change in circumstance for him but up until now I have not really seen any change in his form. Unfortunately Suarez seems more interested in diving about and trying to get players sent off than scoring goals at this tournament. Porto's Alvaro Pereira is in fact the man threatening to win the golden boot!
Expected Lineup : Muslera, M. Pereira, Caceres, Lugano, A. Pereira, Rodriguez, Perez, Eguren, Gonzalez, Forlan, Suarez
Prediction
The pre tournament favourites have not really lived up to their billing so far and looked less than convincing against the only decent team they have met so far, Colombia, but I think the easy 3-0 win over Costa Rica was exactly what they needed to reinstall some confidence. I'm expecting Uruguay to defend strongly but for me it's time for Messi to once again show his genius, creating and possibily scoring in a 2-0 victory.
Although tempted by Argentina -1AH, I will be looking to jump on Argentina inplay @ circa 1.8(2units)
Also small bet on 6 to 8pts on the booking odds @3.8 (1unit)
Saturday 16th July 2011 - Kick Off 11.15pm
Santa Fe
Copa America reaches the Quarter Final stages and we have two teams clashing here that started slowly at best.
Argentina
On paper, hosts Argentina are unbeaten have only conceded one goal and are a couple of matches away from the final! However, anybody having stayed up to watch their opening two group games will know that it could so easily have been a very different, almost unthinkable, story. It's true Bolivia were close to pulling off a shock in the tournament curtain raiser and Colombia should really have taken 3pts from their match but the simple fact is they didn't. Sergio Batista had to hold his hands up and admit his attempt to replicate Barcelona's 4-3-3 was just not working and was seeming to frustrate his super stars and most noticeably Messi was struggling to make an impact. So under the mounting pressure of the nation he did what basically everybody was calling for in the must win game against Costa Rica and resorted back to their more familiar 4-2-1-3 system. This allowed them to play, for me, their more dangerous players Aguero and Di Maria out wide with Higuain through the middle and gave them the opportunity to get the best out of Messi playing just in behind.
I fully expect Argentina to be unchanged as for the first time this Copa they actually looked confident in their ability to create enough chances in a match.
Expected Lineup : Romero, Zabaleta, Milito, Burdisso, Zanetti, Mascherano, Gago, Messi, Di Maria, Aguero, Higuain
Uruguay
Again, on paper Uruguay are unbeaten and a couple of matches away from the final.... but I've got to admit I have been a bit disappointed with them. I had a modest bet on them in the winners market at odds of 12.5 with a view to be able to trade out at a decent price if everything had panned out as it was meant to and they hit the tournament's perceived big boys in the semi finals. As it is with the expected group winners not quite going to plan they are meeting a round earlier and I've had to trade out with my tail between my legs.
Uruguay's problem for me is two fold, they are lacking any creativity in the centre of the park and secondly they consistently fail to take their chances up front when they come. Forlan has had an awful season in Spain and I imagine he hoped Copa America would be a change in circumstance for him but up until now I have not really seen any change in his form. Unfortunately Suarez seems more interested in diving about and trying to get players sent off than scoring goals at this tournament. Porto's Alvaro Pereira is in fact the man threatening to win the golden boot!
Expected Lineup : Muslera, M. Pereira, Caceres, Lugano, A. Pereira, Rodriguez, Perez, Eguren, Gonzalez, Forlan, Suarez
Prediction
The pre tournament favourites have not really lived up to their billing so far and looked less than convincing against the only decent team they have met so far, Colombia, but I think the easy 3-0 win over Costa Rica was exactly what they needed to reinstall some confidence. I'm expecting Uruguay to defend strongly but for me it's time for Messi to once again show his genius, creating and possibily scoring in a 2-0 victory.
Although tempted by Argentina -1AH, I will be looking to jump on Argentina inplay @ circa 1.8(2units)
Also small bet on 6 to 8pts on the booking odds @3.8 (1unit)
Friday 15 July 2011
2011 Open Championship (Update)
I've been glued to The Open since Ivor Robson announced the first 3somes on Thursday, its been great stuff and probably all the better without a certain Mr Woods....Probably a slight surprise is that Westwood and Donald both missed the cut. Lets have a look how my picks are getting on.
Kaymer @ 30.0 (1 unit) Tied 3rd at -3, now trading @8.0
G-Mac @ 32.0 (1.25 unit) Missed Cut
Schwartzel @ 40.0 (1 unit) Tied 7th at -2, now trading @14.0
Scott @ 70.0 (0.5 unit) Tied 14th at -1, now trading @34.0
Karlsson @75.0 (0.5 unit) Missed Cut
Green @320.0 (0.25 unit) Tied 32nd at +1, now trading @380.0
So I think with the quality of Kaymer (one off the lead) and Schwartzel (round of 67 today) may be possibly even Adam Scott just 3 back we are still right in the chase here especially with the dodgy weather conditions predicted to come!
Schwartzel is also well positioned to win my main bet of best South African but this Coetzee geezer is running me close.
Kaymer @ 30.0 (1 unit) Tied 3rd at -3, now trading @8.0
G-Mac @ 32.0 (1.25 unit) Missed Cut
Schwartzel @ 40.0 (1 unit) Tied 7th at -2, now trading @14.0
Scott @ 70.0 (0.5 unit) Tied 14th at -1, now trading @34.0
Karlsson @75.0 (0.5 unit) Missed Cut
Green @320.0 (0.25 unit) Tied 32nd at +1, now trading @380.0
So I think with the quality of Kaymer (one off the lead) and Schwartzel (round of 67 today) may be possibly even Adam Scott just 3 back we are still right in the chase here especially with the dodgy weather conditions predicted to come!
Schwartzel is also well positioned to win my main bet of best South African but this Coetzee geezer is running me close.
Thursday 14 July 2011
2011 Open Championship
This years 140th Open Championship sees a return to Royal St George's Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent. This was the venue for the first Open to be played outside of Scotland way back in 1894. The course itself is only a par 70, measuring 7211 yards with only two par 5's but also having two par 4's over 490 yards. This is a true links course in every sense of the word, hugging the Kent coast line with undulating fairways and very much open to the elements. So wind may well play a big part this week. Not really inspiring stuff for the 52 Americana's competing, and let me just mention there has not been a US winner of the last 5 majors, there dominance seemingly nowhere at the moment. So basically I am going for a European flavour here in my picks but my main bet will be Schwartzel to be the top South African @4.0 (3 Units)
Pick wise I have gone for the following with a view to trade:
Kaymer @ 30.0 (1 unit)
G-Mac @ 32.0 (1.25 unit)
Schwartzel @ 40.0 (1 unit)
Scott @ 70.0 (0.5 unit)
Karlsson @75.0 (0.5 unit)
Green @320.0 (0.25 unit)
Pick wise I have gone for the following with a view to trade:
Kaymer @ 30.0 (1 unit)
G-Mac @ 32.0 (1.25 unit)
Schwartzel @ 40.0 (1 unit)
Scott @ 70.0 (0.5 unit)
Karlsson @75.0 (0.5 unit)
Green @320.0 (0.25 unit)
Tuesday 12 July 2011
Football Double for Today
I will try a little football double for the today but would emphasise caution as we are dealing with a friendly and a Champions League 2nd Round 1st leg Qualification match.
Mogren Budve v Litex Lovech - I am expecting the Bulgarians to be much better than this Montenegrin team who have apparently sold a number of their better players from last season. Litex have brought in some new quality players and should be a class above.
Benfica v Dijon - This friendly is being played in Switzerland and Benfica are coming off the back of their first preseason fixture which they won 9-1 against Freiburg. I expect them to play a strong team again and should be far too much quality for this newly promoted French team.
So I'm going with Litex/Benfica double @ 2.3 (1.5 unit stake)
Mogren Budve v Litex Lovech - I am expecting the Bulgarians to be much better than this Montenegrin team who have apparently sold a number of their better players from last season. Litex have brought in some new quality players and should be a class above.
Benfica v Dijon - This friendly is being played in Switzerland and Benfica are coming off the back of their first preseason fixture which they won 9-1 against Freiburg. I expect them to play a strong team again and should be far too much quality for this newly promoted French team.
So I'm going with Litex/Benfica double @ 2.3 (1.5 unit stake)
Argentina v Costa Rica
Few people, not least myself, could have expected the predicament that Argentina now find themselves in after their opening two games in group A. You could have almost forgiven them for nerves in the tournament opener against Boliva, a match in which they were very lucky to escape with a point thanks to sub Aguero's late equaliser. Unfortunately, their supporters were not so forgiving when things got a whole lot worse against Colombia where they were held to a scoreless draw ending in a chorus of boo's from their expecting nation. In all fairness a draw against that Colombian team isn't in fact looking that bad a result on reflection as Falcao & Co are actually a really handy outfit, but for their baying press I think the obvious lack of belief in the system they are trying to play is the most worrying thing that everybody seems to be able to see apart from the manager, Sergio Batista. He has tried to implement the same system as the all conquering Barcelona team and the simple fact is, it ain't working! So they are tonight resorting back to the system that they are more comfortable with and allows them to get the most out of their mouth watering array of attacking talent. Di Maria on the left, Aguero on the right and Higuain through the middle with Messi hopefully causing havoc just behind them. Mascherano will play as the holding midfielder with Gago given the nod probably for his passing quality.
Tonight it is very simple for Argentina win or almost certainly have the humiliation of being knocked out of the group stages from a tournament they are favourites to win. For me it is simply unthinkable, especially against this young Costa Rican side who are only actually at the Copa as invitees. I have been semi impressed by their striker Campbell so Milito and Burdisso will certainly have to keep an eye on him but really they are not a very good team and one which Argentina should really be winning comfortably against.
Oh, national anthems are starting......
My pick is Argentina -2 @ 1.8 (2 Unit stake)
Tonight it is very simple for Argentina win or almost certainly have the humiliation of being knocked out of the group stages from a tournament they are favourites to win. For me it is simply unthinkable, especially against this young Costa Rican side who are only actually at the Copa as invitees. I have been semi impressed by their striker Campbell so Milito and Burdisso will certainly have to keep an eye on him but really they are not a very good team and one which Argentina should really be winning comfortably against.
Oh, national anthems are starting......
My pick is Argentina -2 @ 1.8 (2 Unit stake)
Welcome one and all.........
Please allow me to introduce myself I'm a man of wealth and taste, I've been around for a long long year.......and now I've gone and started my own blog.
I've been sports betting for coming up two decades and am mainly interested in football and tennis trading, however I do like to dabble in the occasional bit of NRL, NBA, golf, darts and snooker.
I'm going to use this blog to detail some of my picks and preview some football matches.
I also like a good old rant about the beautiful game so please feel free to add and share your own comments as, whether right or wrong, we all have opinions.
Pleased to meet you, hope you guessed my name.....
Gaffa
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)