Pre-Season Friendlies

[ThunderCelt]

Saturday 16 July
Aldershot v Inverness CT
Inverness DNB, 3 Units, 8/11 Bet 365

Inverness round off their tour of southern England by leaving the best to last - a glamour friendly at "The EBB Stadium at the Recreation Ground".

Inverness finished seventh in Scotland and only a short while ago beat Celtic. They only lost five league games on the road last season, and gained a reputation for being a good away side. Their tour has already seen a 4-2 win at L1 Yeovil, and a 2-2 draw against Bristol Rovers (my tip for L2 promotion). The Scottish season starts next week, and although this will be ICT's third game in five days any potential fatigue will be countered by Aldershot's lack of sharpness, this being only their third friendly. With their league starting next week I'd expect ICT to be match fit and to have a settled side.

Aldershot finished around 80th in England last season. I find it difficult to judge the relative strengths of different leagues, ICT must surely be stronger and I think the bookies are being slightly generous toward the English side who I'd expect to be weaker opposition than either Yeovil or Bristol.

Aldershot are much earlier in our preparations; our two previous friendlies have been against non-league opposition and have been little more than runouts with numerous substitutions and trialists. This will be our first real test and may be a week or so to early but came at ICT's request for a game. I asume we might have a few triallists on Saturday as well. Aldershot may be without new signing Jamie Collins who I only know of by name, but much is expected of him and he got an injury in Tuesday's game at Tamworth and may not play.

Aldershot finished well last season. Several of our summer recruts have been plucked from non-league and I think this game will be a step up. I hope they cope!

I'm covering the draw in case Inverness chuck in a load of subs which is always a risk in a friendly, but on paper they look overpriced.

[traeth]

I'm not a big friendly bettor but I've decided to follow you, like your logic regarding the difference in date for the season start and these being English div 2 v Scottish Prem , both mid-table in their respective leagues last season.
cheers

[ThunderCelt]

1-1, relieved I went for the DNB. Apparently ICT were woeful.