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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