SPL PREVIEW

St Mirren v Aberdeen
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)