Mathias' Scottish View
SPL Week 3 Preview
Some interesting fixtures in this weekends SPL games and the most interesting of which could be Rangers vs Hibs. These 2 teams lie first and second place in the table both with a 100% winning record.
Rangers – Hibs
I can see a tricky game in store for Rangers this weekend, they didn’t play very well against Aberdeen on Saturday and also have a few injury worries. Hibernian on the other hand played brilliantly against their Edinburgh rivals Hearts and should have won the game by more than one goal. Rangers will be without Peter Lovenkrands and possibly Moore both of while are important parts of the first team, another problem for Rangers is that the following Wednesday they have a MUST win game against FC Copenhagn if they are to get into the Champions league and this I think will be vital. Rangers are likely to rest a few players and this will prove crucial. Hibs also of course have the problem of Brebner being suspended but that is their only major concern. If the game was to be played at Easter road then I would predict a Hibs win but as it is at Ibrox I think 2-2 would be a fair score.
Prediction: 2-2
Aberdeen – Dunfermline
Another interesting match, both teams putting in solid performances on the weekend against quality clubs. Aberdeen just lost to Rangers 3-2 with Dunfermline beating Dundee 2-0. Although Aberdeen are in 10th place without a single point I doubt this will be of any relevance and I’m sure Steve Paterson’s men will put in 100% from start to finish, however Dunfermline have started the season fantastically with a 0-0 draw with Celtic followed by a 2-0 win versus Dundee and the Pars will be brimming with confidence. At the end of the day Dunfermline have 2 strikers who occasionally score goals but that is the only position goals come from, excluding Lee Wilkie’s own goal on the weekend Steve Crawford is the only player to have scored this season. Aberdeen have goals scored from all positions and on Saturday the crowd at Pittodrie will have a huge effect on the match but I’m going for a 2-1 win for the boys from Aberdeen.
Prediction: 2-1
Hearts – Dundee United
Both of these teams suffered disappointing results on Saturday with both teams losing. Dundee United were widely regarded at the start of the season as the surprise package but so far this hasn’t been the case, many Arab’s were hailing the new signings who have arrived at Tannadice but so far these big names haven’t been living up to expectation. I myself think that United will have a good season- Ian McCall has a good mix of youth, experience and quality in his squad and this I think will see them have a good season. Hearts however have already been proven in the SPL and although after the first 2 games see themselves sitting in 7th place I reckon the Jambos quality will show and will run out comfortable winners
Prediction: 3-1
Dundee - Livingston
Ah here we have the 2 clubs Gazinio appreciates the most in the SPL, both of which boast their fair share of Argentinians. This I think will be the closest match of the weekend with the 2 clubs currently 5th and 6th in the SPL. Dundee have a lot more potential than they are showing this season and with the announcement of new director Di Stefano joining the club I don’t think it will be to long before they win a Scottish Cup. I fully expect the Dee to be challenging for 3rd place until the final games of the season because with the money, players and staff they have I think this team has great potential. Livingston have had a reasonably good start to the season picking up 4 points from a possible 6 but the quality of performances have hardly been outstanding- drawing to relegation favourites Partick in the 1st game of the season and beating Motherwell 1-0 thanks to a late goal. I think Dundee will shine in this game and all doubts of their ability will be gone.
Prediction: 3-2
Partick Thistle - Celtic
I fear for Partick in this match, relegation favourites who have lost most of their quality players over the summer come up against a Celtic team who are brimming with confidence after their 5-0 drubbing of Dundee United. Partick are currently in 8th place with 1 point while Celtic lie in 3rd with 4 points. Celtic do have injury worries in Jackie Mcnamara and Johan Mjallby almost certainly missing out but with a sound performance from Stan Varga on Saturday I’m sure the Bhoys won’t be too worried. Unfortunately for Partick, Celtic are almost guaranteed a place in the Champions league and will not be resting any players for the game at Firhill. A Glasgow derby and as usual I expect a few late tackles and a competitive match. However I don’t think the Jags have enough quality to keep them in the division let alone in a game against Celtic.
Prediction: 0-3
Motherwell – Kilmarnock
Again, I wouldn’t like to predict the result of this match as it will be so fiercely and closely contested. Motherwell have started this season as they left the last- poor displays and loses. Motherwell have so far lost both games played this season against Dundee and Livingston and star Striker James Mcfadden being injured hardly helps matters. Kilmarnock on the other hand have had a mixed start to the season losing their first game 4-0 to Rangers and beating Partick 2-1 on Saturday. This weekend I think youngster Kris Boyd will prove to be the difference between these 2 sides and I think Killie will just sneak it.
Prediction: 0-1
My Scottish Predictions for this season
SPL-- Celtic CIS Cup-- Dundee Tennents Cup-- Rangers
(That’s right, 3 different winners)
Some interesting fixtures in this weekends SPL games and the most interesting of which could be Rangers vs Hibs. These 2 teams lie first and second place in the table both with a 100% winning record.
Rangers – Hibs
I can see a tricky game in store for Rangers this weekend, they didn’t play very well against Aberdeen on Saturday and also have a few injury worries. Hibernian on the other hand played brilliantly against their Edinburgh rivals Hearts and should have won the game by more than one goal. Rangers will be without Peter Lovenkrands and possibly Moore both of while are important parts of the first team, another problem for Rangers is that the following Wednesday they have a MUST win game against FC Copenhagn if they are to get into the Champions league and this I think will be vital. Rangers are likely to rest a few players and this will prove crucial. Hibs also of course have the problem of Brebner being suspended but that is their only major concern. If the game was to be played at Easter road then I would predict a Hibs win but as it is at Ibrox I think 2-2 would be a fair score.
Prediction: 2-2
Aberdeen – Dunfermline
Another interesting match, both teams putting in solid performances on the weekend against quality clubs. Aberdeen just lost to Rangers 3-2 with Dunfermline beating Dundee 2-0. Although Aberdeen are in 10th place without a single point I doubt this will be of any relevance and I’m sure Steve Paterson’s men will put in 100% from start to finish, however Dunfermline have started the season fantastically with a 0-0 draw with Celtic followed by a 2-0 win versus Dundee and the Pars will be brimming with confidence. At the end of the day Dunfermline have 2 strikers who occasionally score goals but that is the only position goals come from, excluding Lee Wilkie’s own goal on the weekend Steve Crawford is the only player to have scored this season. Aberdeen have goals scored from all positions and on Saturday the crowd at Pittodrie will have a huge effect on the match but I’m going for a 2-1 win for the boys from Aberdeen.
Prediction: 2-1
Hearts – Dundee United
Both of these teams suffered disappointing results on Saturday with both teams losing. Dundee United were widely regarded at the start of the season as the surprise package but so far this hasn’t been the case, many Arab’s were hailing the new signings who have arrived at Tannadice but so far these big names haven’t been living up to expectation. I myself think that United will have a good season- Ian McCall has a good mix of youth, experience and quality in his squad and this I think will see them have a good season. Hearts however have already been proven in the SPL and although after the first 2 games see themselves sitting in 7th place I reckon the Jambos quality will show and will run out comfortable winners
Prediction: 3-1
Dundee - Livingston
Ah here we have the 2 clubs Gazinio appreciates the most in the SPL, both of which boast their fair share of Argentinians. This I think will be the closest match of the weekend with the 2 clubs currently 5th and 6th in the SPL. Dundee have a lot more potential than they are showing this season and with the announcement of new director Di Stefano joining the club I don’t think it will be to long before they win a Scottish Cup. I fully expect the Dee to be challenging for 3rd place until the final games of the season because with the money, players and staff they have I think this team has great potential. Livingston have had a reasonably good start to the season picking up 4 points from a possible 6 but the quality of performances have hardly been outstanding- drawing to relegation favourites Partick in the 1st game of the season and beating Motherwell 1-0 thanks to a late goal. I think Dundee will shine in this game and all doubts of their ability will be gone.
Prediction: 3-2
Partick Thistle - Celtic
I fear for Partick in this match, relegation favourites who have lost most of their quality players over the summer come up against a Celtic team who are brimming with confidence after their 5-0 drubbing of Dundee United. Partick are currently in 8th place with 1 point while Celtic lie in 3rd with 4 points. Celtic do have injury worries in Jackie Mcnamara and Johan Mjallby almost certainly missing out but with a sound performance from Stan Varga on Saturday I’m sure the Bhoys won’t be too worried. Unfortunately for Partick, Celtic are almost guaranteed a place in the Champions league and will not be resting any players for the game at Firhill. A Glasgow derby and as usual I expect a few late tackles and a competitive match. However I don’t think the Jags have enough quality to keep them in the division let alone in a game against Celtic.
Prediction: 0-3
Motherwell – Kilmarnock
Again, I wouldn’t like to predict the result of this match as it will be so fiercely and closely contested. Motherwell have started this season as they left the last- poor displays and loses. Motherwell have so far lost both games played this season against Dundee and Livingston and star Striker James Mcfadden being injured hardly helps matters. Kilmarnock on the other hand have had a mixed start to the season losing their first game 4-0 to Rangers and beating Partick 2-1 on Saturday. This weekend I think youngster Kris Boyd will prove to be the difference between these 2 sides and I think Killie will just sneak it.
Prediction: 0-1
My Scottish Predictions for this season
SPL-- Celtic CIS Cup-- Dundee Tennents Cup-- Rangers
(That’s right, 3 different winners)
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