SPL - Saturday 1st Sept Team News‏ & Thoughts

Please note I have not included any of the transfer speculation in the team news

Aberdeen v St Mirren


Aberdeen


Injuries - Naysmith, McGinn, Milsom
Doutful - Fallon, Hughes
Available Squad - Langfield, Brown, Foster, Considine, Anderson, Robertson, Jack, Hughes, Rae, Vernon, Fallon, Hayes, Osbourne, Megginson, Magennis, Fraser, Paton, Robertson, Reynolds

Probable XI : Langfield, Considine, Reynolds, Anderson, Osbourne, Rae, Jack, Hayes, Fraser, Fallon, Vernon (3-5-2)



St Mirren


Injuries - Adam, McGregor

Available Squad - Samson, Mair, van Zanten, McAusland, Goodwin, McGowan, Robertson, Carey, McLean, Thompson, Imrie, Teale, Parkin, Reilly, McGinn, C Smith, J Smith, Barron

Probable XI : Samson, Van Zanten, Mair, McAusland, Barron, McGowan, McLean, Carey, Imrie, Thompson, Parkin (4-4-2)



Prediction : Aberdeen 1-1 St Mirren

3 out of 4 of the games played between these two ended up in a draw last season and right now when Aberdeen play the likely result is a draw. So, it comes as no surprise that I'm predicting another draw here. The Dons badly need a goal scorer and with a bit of doubt over Fallon's fitness and McGinn out injured they will continue to struggle. Johnny Hayes has a goal threat from attacking midfield but if I was a fan I would be praying for something in the tranfer deadline day today! St Mirren are unbeaten in 4 games on the road and have a decent 1st XI who have now all played togther for a couple of seasons and work well as a unit. Minimal stakes on DRAW @ 3.4 (Sky Bet)



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Celtic v Hibs


Celtic


Injuries - Brown, Ledley, Stokes, Kayal

Available Squad - N/A

Probable XI : Forster, Matthews, Mulgrew, Wilson, Izaguirre, Forrest, Wanyama, Twardzik, Samaras, Hooper, Watt (4-4-2)



Hibs


Injuries -
Doutful - Stevenson
Available Squad - Williams, Antell, Grant, Clancy, Booth, Hanlon, McPake, O'Hanlon, Stephens, Kujabi, Smith, Claros, Cairney, Wotherspoon, Sproule, Stanton, Griffiths, Doyle, Caldwell, Maybury, Deegan, Kuqi, Stevenson

Probable XI : Williams, Maybury, Clancy, McPake, Hanlon, Claros, Cairney, Wotherspoon, Deegan, Sproule, Doyle, Griffiths (4-4-2)



Prediction : Celtic 3-0 Hibs

Hibs with their awful defence managed a 0-0 draw last time out at Celtic Park and if we see a repeat of that clean sheet I will wear a Hibs scarf myself....lolol

Odds are horrible for this match, just horrible, NO BET If I was to have a bet I'd advise Celtic to score in both halves.



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Ross County v Kilmarnock


Ross County


Injuries - Corcoran, Malin

Available Squad - Fraser, Boyd, Munro, Tokely, Fitzpatrick, Brittain, Kettlewell, Vigurs, Quinn, Duncan, Cooper, Byrne, Glen, Morrow, McMenamin, Lawson, Scott, Brown

Probable XI : Fraser, Fitzpatrick, Boyd, Munro, Tokely, Kettlewell, Quinn, Vigurs, Brittain, McMenamin, Morrow (4-4-2)



Kilmarnock


Injuries - Tesselaar, Harkins, Bell, Hay, Heffernan

Available Squad - Letheren, Fowler, O'Leary, Nelson, Kelly, Kennedy, Johnson, Pascali, Racchi, Borja, Winchester, McKenzie, Jaakkola, Gros, Dayton, Boulding, O'Hara

Probable XI : Letheren, O'Leary, Pascali, Nelson, Pursehouse, Fowler, Racchi, Johnson, Dayton, Gros, Borja (4-4-2)



Prediction : Ross County 2-0 Kilmarnock

I was surprised County got knocked out of the League Cup 4-1 at home against Raith Rovers until I checked the line ups at noted County put out a bucket team showing that they are completely focused on the league in their virgin season in the SPL. Killie are without 1st keeper Cammy Bell, Harkins, Hall and Heffernan who are all hard to replace and not what you need with a tricky fixture up in the highlands. Ross County are still 35 games undefeated in the league so backing Killie here would be crazy, a bit like the short odd Celtic backers a couple of weeks ago. With the likes of Brittain and McMenamin a Ross County HOME WIN @ 2.2 (Paddy Power) is the play here. For those that like an anytime scorer bet Richard Brittain is worth a go @4.5 he is on fire this season and is deadly from free kicks on the edge of the box.



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St Johnstone v Dundee Utd


St Johnstone


Injuries - Millar
Doubtful - Beattie
Available Squad - Mannus, C Davidson, Wright, MacKay, Anderson, Cregg, Pawlett, Craig, M Davidson, Vine, Tade, May, Hasselbaink, Higgins, Adams, Miller, Caddis, Tuffey

Probable XI : Mannus, C. Davidson, Wright, MacKay, Anderson, Craig, Cregg, M.Davidson, Hasselbaink, Vine, Tade (4-4-2)



Dundee Utd


Injuries - Mackay-Steven

Available Squad - Cierzniak, Watson, Dillon, Gunning, McLean, Douglas, Flood, Rankin, Ryan, Russell, Daly, Dow, Armstrong, Millar, Gardyne, Robertson, Banks

Probable XI : Cierzniak, Watson, Dillon, Douglas, Gunning, Flood, Rankin, Gardyne, Ryan, Daly, Russell (4-4-2)



Prediction : St Johnstone 1-2 Dundee Utd

I'm surprised that with the strikers that will be on the park tomorrow that evens is available on over 2.5 goals. St Johnstone are on a woeful run and you have to go back as far as the end of March for their last win. But Dundee Utd had a poor game last week losing to Killie 3-1 but I expect them to bounce back here. They will miss Makay-Steven who needs an operation but Gardyne should step in for him. OVER 2.5 goals @ 2.0 (Bet Fred) for me.



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SPL - Sunday 25th August Team News‏ & Thoughts

Aberdeen V Hearts



Aberdeen

Injuries -  McGinn
Doutful -  Hughes

Probable XI - Langfield, Jack, Russell, Considine, Naysmith, Osbourne, Rae, Fraser, Hayes, Clark, Vernon (4-4-1-1)




Hearts

Injuries -
Doutful -  Grainger, Zaliukas
Suspended - Templeton

Probable XI - MacDonald, McHattie, Webster, Barr, Patterson, McGowan, Taouil, Robinson, Driver, Novikovas, Sutton (4-3-3)




Prediction : Aberdeen 1-1 Hearts


Opta stats kicks up some remarkable stuff for this match.

• Aberdeen have failed to score in their last seven SPL meetings with Hearts.
• It is seven years (a run of 12 matches) since Aberdeen managed to score more than once at home against the Jambos in the league.
• Five of the last 10 SPL matches at Pittodrie have finished goalless.

I'm not a big fan of backing draws but this game seems to have 0-0 or 1-1 written all over it. Aberdeen are much improved in defence and Hearts found scoring goals a big problem away from home last season.


There are a number of bets for this match that interest me but I will keep all stakes to an absolute minimum - Draw @ 3.25 (Betfred) -  Under 2.5 goals @ 1.65 (Bet Victor) - also worth dutching correct scores of 0-0 @ 11.0 (Ladbrokes) and 1-1 @ 6.5 (Ladbrokes) to give you a combined odds of circa 4.08

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Motherwell v St Mirren



Motherwell

Injuries - Ramsden, Saunders
Doutful - Motherwell apparently have a number of unnamed injury doubts but they are not saying who for some reason.

Probable XI - Randolph, Hateley, Hutchison, Cummins, Francis - Angol, Humphrey, Law, Lasley, Murphy, Ojamaa, Higdon (4-4-2)




St Mirren

Injuries - McGregor

Probable XI - Samson, Van Zanten, McAusland, Mair, Barron, McGowan, McLean, Goodwin, Imrie, Thompson, Parkin (4-4-2)



Prediction : Motherwell 1-0 St Mirren

I'm a little doubtful now about this game with Motherwell saying they have a number of injury doubts but won't name them, they do have a 2nd leg of the Europa qualifying to play next week in Spain against Levante. St Mirren had a poor result at home against Hibs so I would probably suggest that Motherwell should get the win here but with the uncertainty its a NO BET for me.





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SPL - Saturday 25th August - Team News & thoughts

Inverness v Celtic


Inverness

Injuries - Hogg
Suspended - Foran, Tudur-Jones



Probable XI - Esson, Raven, Warren, King, G. Shinnie, Draper, Pepper, Doran, Sutherland, A. Shinnie, Mackay (4-4-2)



Celtic


Injuries - Ledley, Kayal, Murphy, McGeouch, Stokes
Doubtful - Rogne, Brown, Samaras, Commons


Probable XI - Forster, Matthews, Wilson, Lustig, Izaguire, Mulgrew, Ledley, Wanyama, Commons, Samaras, Hooper (4-4-2)



Prediction : Inverness 1-2 Celtic

Another tricky trip up north for a Celtic team which I feel is lacking a little bit of creativity in midfield and are finding it hard to get clear cut chances in the league so far. Its a fixture that Celtic got maximum points from last season (home & away) and I can see them continuing this tomorrow. Inverness are still looking for their first win of the season after 3 draws in a row but I just dont see it coming here. Best price you can get on a Celtic win is 1.57 but that doesn't interest me at all, especially with their vital european 2nd leg game coming up midweek. NO BET

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Dundee v Ross County


Dundee

Injuries - Riley, Finnegan, McBride


Probable XI - Douglas, Irvine, Grassi, Benedictus, Lookwood, McAllister, Davidson, Conroy, Boyle, Baird, Stewart (4-4-2)



Ross County


Injuries - Malin, Lawson, Scott


Probable XI - Fraser, Fitzpatrick, Munro, Boyd, Tokeley, Kettlewell, Brittain, Vigars, Quinn, Corcoran, McMenamin (4-4-1-1)



Prediction : Dundee 1-2 Ross County

I still believe Dundee will be the whipping boys of the SPL this season and so far it has basically gone to plan. They are still without a win and will probably look at a home game against County to be a good chance for them but I think not. Ross County finished 25 points clear of Dundee in the 1st Div last season and this proves that they are a much better outfit. Only worry here is that scoring goals has been a bit of a problem for them so far this season, in fact they have only managed 1 in 3 games. Still County are the better team and I'm happy to back them for the away win @ 2.5 (Ladbrokes)



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Hibs v St Johnstone


Hibs

Injuries - Gilbraith, Stevenson


Probable XI - Williams, Clancy, McPake, Hanlon, Maybury, Deegan, Claros, Cairney, Wotherspoon, Doyle, Griffiths (4-4-2)



St Johnstone


Injuries - Beattie, Millar, M. Davidson



Probable XI - Mannus, Mackay, Anderson, Wright, Scobbie, Adams, Cregg, Miller, Craig, Vine, Tade (4-4-2)



Prediction : Hibs 2-0 St Johnstone


It may have gone a little unnoticed but St Johnstone are on an absolute shocking run of form!!! In their last 10 league matches they have only managed to get 2pts from a possible 30pts - now that is really bad! A positive for them though is that they will have both strikers, Vine & Tade, back from suspension. Call me crazy but I think the dirty Hibees have a great chance of a win here. Hibs home win @2.6 (Stan James)



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Kilmarnock v Dundee Utd


Kilmarnock

Injuries - Bell, Hay, Heffernan, Muirhead, Fisher

Probable XI - Letheren, O'Leary, Pascali, Nelson, Tesselaar, Dayton, Kelly, Fowler, Harkins, Boulding, Borja (4-4-2)



Dundee Utd


Injuries -

Probable XI - Cierzniak, Watson, Dillon, Douglas, Gunning, Flood, Rankin, Ryan, Mackay-Steven, Russell, Daly (4-4-2)



Prediction : Kilmarnock 1-2 Dundee Utd

Dundee Utd are top of the league yet have only played 2 games, which were both won 3-0 and its fair to say they have really impressed me. They have some great talent combined with experience. What makes them so effective is the balance they have in the team, a solid defence, bit of guile in midfield, great wing play from Mackay-Stevens and of course two really on form strikers  in Daly and Russell. It's no surprise to me that they are evens favourite to win at Kilmarnock. Killie are struggling still without Heffernan and I reckon they will have their hands full tomorrow. I think Dundee Utd have goals in them and will take Dundee Utd to score over 1.5 team goals @2.2 (Ladbrokes)



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Jocks in Europe - Team news & thoughts

Motherwell v Levante

Motherwell

Injuries - Saunders, Ramsden

Available Squad - Randolph, Hateley, Hammell, Cummins, Hutchinson, Lasley, Law, Ojamaa, Higdon, Murphy, McHugh, Erwin, Carswell, Page, Humphrey, Hetherington, Kerr, Daley, Hollis


Probable XI : Randolph, Hateley, Hutchison, Cummins, Hammell,  Law, Lasley, Daley, Murphy, Ojamaa, Higdon (4-4-2)



Prediction : Motherwell 0-1 Levante

Another really hard task for Motherwell here I think. Levante are a seriously good outfit and held their own against a star studded Atletico Madrid side at the weekend with a 1-1 result. Levante have come a long way in the last 3 or so years and they will be desperate to qualify here and enter Europe proper. Motherwell will be without Ramsden at centre half so Cummins should come in to replace. Just get the feeling Motherwell's defence will be under serious pressure and an away goal is on the cards to effectively kill off the tie. (maybe more than 1...)

You can get 2.0 (Coral) on an away win which looks a good bet but I will pass on this game. NO BET


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Hearts v Liverpool


Hearts


Injuries - Hamill
Doubtful - MacDonald (was a doubt as his wife was just about to give birth, but I hear through the wonders of twitter, she has given birth now - so he should play)

Available Squad - MacDonald, Enckelman, Hamilton, Patterson, Barr, McGowan, Zaliukas, Webster, McHattie, Taouil, Driver, Prychynenko, Holt, Novikovas, Thomson, Walker, Sutton, Grainger, Robinson, Templeton

Probable XI - MacDonald, Patterson, Zaliukas, Webster, Grainger, McGowan, Taouil, Barr, Driver, Templeton, Sutton (4-4-1-1)



Liverpool

Injuries - Enrique, Cole
Available Squad - Reina, Jones, Kelly, Agger, Carragher, Coates, Flanagan, Shelvey, Lucas, Adam, Allen, Henderson, Spearing, Downing, Borini, Carroll, Wilson, Robinson, Sterling, Eccleston

Probable XI - Reina, Kelly, Agger, Carragher, Wilson, Spearing, Adam, Allen, Downing, Carroll, Borini (4-4-2)


Prediction :  Hearts 1-3 Liverpool

If you had asked me earlier on on the week for a prediction I would have said (my) Hearts were going to get an absolute TONKING!!! but Liverpool, similar to Spurs last season, have decided to leave out some stars from the trip to Royal Tynecastle. Gerrard, Suarez, Skrtel and Johnson all don't travel and that can only be seen as a boost to Hearts. But lets face the facts Liverpool can still put out a team that will have a massive gulf in class. I was listening to Gordon Strachen the other night, who I like, and he suggest the one thing Hearts can do is match Liverpool physically and athletically but I don't really think he thought that through as were I'm looking from Liverpool do actually have a strong physical presence, especially if Carroll starts. I can see a weakness if Hearts concentrate on wing play but overall I think Liverpool will be far too strong. Granted Liverpool played a shocker at the weekend but I think that will spur them on a little bit more to get a good result under their belts.

I hope for a decent result but hope is all I have got. The bet I will be placing is Liverpool to score 2 or more @ 1.85

SPL - Sunday 19th August Team News & Thoughts

Dundee Utd v Dundee (12.45 KO)


Dundee Utd

Injuries -
Doubtfuls - Mackay-Steven, Dillon, Russell, Gunning

Probable XI - Cierzniak, Watson, Douglas, McLean, Gunning, Flood, Ryan, Rankin, Robertson, Gardyne, Daly (4-4-2)


Dundee

Injuries - McBride, Riley, Finnigan

Probable XI - Douglas, Irvine, Lockwood, Benedictus, Grassi, McAlister, O'Donnell, Davidson, Conroy, Baird, Boyle (4-4-2)


Prediction : Dundee Utd 2-0 Dundee


Dundee Utd have 3 key players that they are sweating over the fitness of but they have had since their european match on the 9th of August to recover so they may well be fine to start (part of me is thinking that Peter Houston is just pretending their injured until the transfer window closes as it is a mystery to me that Mackay-Steven and Johnny Russell have not been snapped up as they are both that good)  There is a massive gulf in class here that should see Dundee Utd win the first Dundee Derby to be held for 7 years. If the 3 doubts for Utd all make the starting XI then I see this as being very comfortable. Dundee have however signed Martin Boyle from Montrose who was banging in the goals last season, I expect to see him involved straight away.

I've had a quick look and must say I am amazed that Dundee Utd to score 2 or more goals is @ 2.48 (betfair) I'll have some of that!!!!

SPL - Saturday 18th August Team News‏ & Thoughts

Ross County v Celtic  (12.15 KO)


Ross County


Injuries - Lawson, Scott

Probable XI - Fraser, Fitzpatrick, Munro, Boyd, Tokeley, Duncan, Brittain, Vigurs, McMenamin, Kettlewell, Morrow (4-4-2)



Celtic

Injuries - McGeouch, Murphy, Stokes, Bangura, Ibrahim, McCourt, Brown, Forrest, Twardzik
Doubtful - Hooper


Probable XI - Forster, Matthews, Rogne, Mulgrew, Izaguirre, Ledley, Commons, Wanyama, Kayal, Ki, Samaras,  (4-4-1-1)


Prediction : Ross County 1-1 Celtic

Celtic suddenly find themselves crippled with injuries and face a tough trip up to Dingwall ahead of their euro qualifier midweek. When I say tough I mean it, with Ross County having put together a very inpressive run of 36 games in a row undefeated in the league. Granted most of these were against the 1st division opponents but still that is some record. So, no doubt a team full of confidence and one who also knocked Celtic out of the Scottish Cup in 2010 at the semi-final stages. You've got to think that Neil Lennon will rest is injured/doubtful players and give them every chance to be fit for the european match. Celtic should still boast a strong midfield but will be a little light upfront I reckon. I think this could be a good spot to take the Ross County with the +1.25 Asian Handicap @ 1.8 (Bet Victor)



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Hearts v Inverness


Hearts


Injuries - Hamill, Ridgers
Suspended - Templeton

Probable XI - McDonald, Grainger, Zaliukas, Webster, Paterson, Robinson, Barr, McGowan, Novikovas, Driver, Sutton, (4-3-3-)



Inverness

Injuries - Hogg
Suspended - Tudur-Jones

Probable XI - Esson, Raven, G. Shinnie, Warren, King, Draper, A.Shinnie, Doran, Foran, Sutherland, McKay (4-4-1-1)


Prediction : Hearts 1-0 Inverness

Inverness at home is a match up that Hearts usually win with the last 6 matches producing 4wins 1draw and 1 loss. I think they are in a good position to carry on that trend here. Both Webster and McGowan were both involved in the Scotland v Australia friendly midweek and that can only add to their fitness. Templeton misses out through suspension but I think McGlynn will contine with his 4-3-3 formation at home. I see both a Hearts win @ 1.95 (William Hill) and also UNDER 2.5 goals @ 1.75 (bet victor) good options here.



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Kilmarnock v Motherwell


Kilmarnock


Injuries - Hay, Heffernan

Probable XI - Bell, Tesselaar, Fowler, O'Leary, Nelson, Kelly, Dayton, Harkins, Johnson, Pascali, Borja (4-4-1-1)



Motherwell

Injuries - Saunders, Daley
Suspended - Hammell
Probable XI - Randolph, Hateley, Ramsden, Hutchison, Francis-Angol, Humphrey, Lasley, Law, Murphy, Ojamaa, Higdon (4-4-2)


Prediction : Kilmarnock 1-2 Motherwell

For me I think the Kilmarnock side is just not as good now without Shiels who always gave them the link between midfield and attack and could score goals. With forward Heffernan still injured they have brought in Spanaird Borja who looks to be going straight into this match, although he has been training with them recently. I don't really think Motherwell will be resting any players before their mission impossible 2nd leg at Panathinaikos midweek, they are best just concentrating on the league. I see an away win on the cards here but would advise the saftey net of MOTHERWELL DNB @ 1.91 (William Hill)



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St Johnstone v Aberdeen


St Johnstone


Injuries - None
Suspended - Tade, Vine

Probable XI - Mannus, Anderson, Wright, Mackay, C. Davidson, Craig, M. Davidson, Cregg, Millar, Hasselbaink, Beattie (4-4-2)



Aberdeen

Injuries - McGinn

Probable XI - Langfield, Jack, Considine, Anderson, Naysmith, Hayes, Osbourne, Rae, Hughes, Pawlett, Vernon, (4-5-1)


Prediction : St Johnstone 0-1 Aberdeen


Here is a bet I very very rarely place but I really fancy this game to go UNDER 1.5 goals @ 2.88 (Stan James) sounds crazy but if you look at it, St Johnstone have failed to score in their last 3 home games and Aberdeen haven't scored in their last 3 matches either. Also St Johnstone's 2 main strikers are both suspended leaving Lomas probably having to play new signing Craig Beattie (and we have all seen enough of his belly to know he is not really fully fit - Rangers knocked him back for Div 3......) Aberdeen I expect to improve this season as they now have quite a solid defence and midfield but it's scoring goals that is their big problemo! I can see them just nicking this one though.



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St Mirren v Hibs


St Mirren


Injuries -Reilly
Suspended - Guy

Probable XI - Samson, Van Zanten, McGregor, Mair, McAusland, McGowan, McLean, Imrie, Goodwin, Thompson, Parkin (4-4-2)



Hibs

Injuries - Stevenson

Probable XI - Williams, Clancy, McPake, Hanlon, Maybury, Deegan, Claros, Wotherspoon, Cairney, Griffiths, Kuqi (4-4-2)


Prediction : St Mirren 1 -2 Hibs


Dirty Hibees were much improved in the derby last weekend and dare I say it showed a little bit of heart coming back from a goal down to earn a deserved draw. They have brought in big journey man Shefki Kuqi up front and he could start or come off the bench. St Mirren also got a good 2-0 away result at Dundee with Parkin grabbing his first goal, they will have captain Goodwin back from suspension for this match and will be looking to try and stay top of the league with a win! I'm a little surprised that BTTS @ 2.0 (Boyle Sports) is available - I fancy Hibs to score and well their defence is shite! Nap of the day for me!



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SPL - Sunday Team News & Thoughts

Dundee Utd v Hibs


Dundee Utd

Injuries - Mentel, Lacny
Available Squad - Cierzniak, Watson, Dillon, Gunning, McLean, Douglas, Flood, Rankin, Ryan, Mackay-Steven, Russell, Daly, Dow, Armstrong, Millar, Gardyne, Robertson, Banks

Probable XI : Cierzniak, Dillon, Douglas, Watson, Gunning, Flood, Rankin, Mackay-Steven, Ryan, Russell, Daly (4-4-2)


Hibs


Injuries - Galbraith
Available Squad - Williams, Clancy, Booth, Hanlon, McPake, O'Hanlon, Stephens, Kujabi, Smith, Claros, Cairney, Wotherspoon, Sproule, Stevenson, Stanton, Griffiths, Doyle, Caldwell, Grant

Probable XI: Williams, Clancy, Stephens, McPake, Hanlon, Claros, Stevenson, Sproule, Wotherspoon, Doyle, Griffiths (4-2-3-1)



Prediction : Dundee Utd 2-1 Hibs

For me Dundee Utd have the better team but it will be interesting to see Pat Fenlon's new Hibs team this year. Slight worry here that Utd rest players ahead of their Euro game but they have managed to build a pretty decent squad now and do have options in many positions should Peter Houston chose to rest a few. The odds on a Home win look just a little bit skinny for my liking but I do like the look of BTTS @1.83 (Coral) particularly if Daly and Russell both play and Hibs Griffiths can score a goal out of nothing!