Sunday 21 August 2011

SPL Quick Preview - Motherwell v Rangers



http://www.goonersguide.com/football-pick-11402-Motherwell-v-Rangers.htm






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


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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!


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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)

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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.


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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.



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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 CUP PREVIEW - Hearts v Spurs

http://www.goonersguide.com/football-pick-011359-Heart-of-Midlothian-v-Tottenham-Hotspur.htm

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.


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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




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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.

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.



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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!

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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.



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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


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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

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