Motherwell v Falkirk
Last 8 matches (recent L->R);
Motherwell ; 2-3-3 LLDDLWWD -----|---- Falkirk ; 3-2-3 LDWWLDLW
Last 5 Ho/Aw; 2-1-2 --------------|-------------- 2-0-3
Goals For/Ag.(home) : F 8 A 8--------|-------F 7 A 9 (away)
McLean (D), O'Donnell (M) are still injured, with Corrigan out due to a lack of match fitness while still recovering from a previous injury. Craigan (D) and Elliot (F) face late fitness tests for tomorrows game. Falkirk will reportedly field and unchanged team from their last game, but still have Rodrigues (M), Moutinho (F), Barrett and Ireland still out.
Both teams form over the last 8 games is pretty similar, however Falkirk have been playing the better football of late, with Motherwell searching for their first win in 6 games. Their 2-1-2 at home isn't that bad and the for/ag. is deceptive at 8/8 considering that in the last game they conceded 6 to Hibs, so dismissing that game, they would have had a 7/2 record in the previous 4 games. Falkirk are also scoring goals away but the form isn't the best at 2-0-3 where they seem to be able to only win or lose, seemingly a little undisciplined. Their for/ag. of 7/9 also backs this up as they can both score and concede away from home.
Personally, I will be putting a bet on Motherwell for this game. Outwith the 6-1 thrashing from Hibs last week, they have been scoring over a goal a game and had a pretty mean defence. They will also be out to prove that result was just a one-off blip. Falkirk can also score but both Killie and Hearts have scored against them in recent times and I think Motherwell may be able to score against them also. Also like the look of the Overs bet in this game as well, with both teams getting 15 goals in their last 5 home/away results combined.
ICT v Hearts
Last 8 matches (recent L->R);
ICT ; 3-3-2 LLDDWWWD------|---- Hearts ; 2-3-3 LDLDLDWW
Last 5 Ho/Aw; 2-3-0 --------------|------------- 2-2-1
Goals For/Ag.(home): F 6 A 4 ------|-------- F 8 A 6 (away)
ICT have the luxury of a full squad to play with for this game and welcome back first pick keeper Mark Brown after his suspension. Hearts are still missing McCann (M), Bednar (F), Beslija (M), Cesnauskis (M) and Pinilla (F), but with the huge 1st team squad they should be easily replaced as none are really first choice players. After all the in-fighting, Pressley (D) again finds himself on the bench. Shock news from up here is that Valdas Ivanauskas, the manager that went on sick leave for 2 weeks (has been about 3/4 now) and wasn't expected to return to Hearts, has well.......returned to Hearts!! After more plans for another temporary coach in Riabovas (set to replace Malofeev), fell through.
Both teams are struggling for a win with ICT winless in 4 and Hearts worse off with 0 wins in the last 6 games. However, the home/away tells a different story. ICTs home form is an impressive 2-3-0, suggesting they are not that happy on their travels. They also have a reputation as a very tight, compact team and well organised, hence a for/ag. at home of 6/4. Hearts also have a decent away record, 2-2-1 and a for/ag. of 8/6, suggesting that both teams are happier just now home and away as this game is set. As usual, the chance of Hearts getting the win is dependent on what team selection is put out on the pitch, something the Hearts fans have been recently unhappy with and have voiced their concerns.
For betting, I feel again this could be another draw, Hearts will have to break down a tough ICT defence while trying to keep a good home team out at the other end. Personally, another no bet for me, and not really any conclusive results to suggest an Unders/Overs result, so I'll just watch this from a distance.
Dunfermline v Aberdeen (Sunday)
Last 8 matches (recent L->R);
Dunfermline ; 2-1-5 WLLDLLLW-------|------ Aberdeen ; 4-1-3 WWDWWLLL
Last 5 Ho/Aw; 3-0-2 ---------------------|------------ 1-2-2
Goals For/Ag.(home): F 7 A 11 --------|-------F 4 A 4 (away)
Dunfermline still have McCunnie (D), Burchill (F), McIntyre, McKenzie, Whelan (F), Thomson, McGuire and Tod (D) all out, while Aberdeen have a near full squad with only Byrne missing.
Aberdeen are the form team, unbeaten in their last 5 games, however, scoring away from home seems to be a tough task with only 4 goals scored, yet on a more positive note, only 4 conceded away from home as well. This is reflected in the fact their last 5 away games form reads 1-2-2. Darren Mackie came off the bench in the recent game with St Mirren to bag 2 goals and may well have put himself in contention for a start.
Dunfermline on the other hand have just broken their run of 6 games without a win by beating Dundee Utd 2-1 last weekend after Utd initially took the lead. Home form is pretty up and down being 3-0-2 in their last 5, and with a for/ag. record of 7/11, scoring better than a goal a game recently at home, yet also showing that they can concede. New manager Stephen Kenny should take full charge of his new team for the first time this weekend looking to stiffen up that defence.
Betting wise, I could see a draw being the result in this game, but with a new manager looking to make his mark and Aberdeens poor scoring away (although Mackie has the pace to cause problems), Dunfermline could possible steal it at home. Likewise though with a strong defence, Aberdeen could steal it away. Probably a no bet for me on the winning team.
Also because of both teams scoring/conceding record, I will personally be looking at the Unders/Over bet. Both can score goals so I could see this maybe just sneaking the Overs, but thats personal opinion, it could be very close.
Dundee U. v St Mirren (Sunday)
Last 8 matches (recent L->R);
Dundee U ; 2-1-5 LWWLLLD -----|---- St Mirren ; 1-3-4 LLDDLDWL
Last 5 Ho/Aw; 2-1-2 --------------|-------------- 1-2-2
Goals For/Ag.(home) : F 5 A 9 --------|-------F 3 A 5 (away)
Dundee Utd have only Robb missing with McCracken facing a late fitness test. St Mirren also have a near full squad with only Ian Anderson (M) out. In terms of form, Dundee Utd seem to be picking themselves up under new manager Craig Levein with 2 wins in their last 3 games (2-1-5 record in the last 8), scoring first against Dunfermline last week before losing 2 in the last 15 mins. St Mirren have been woeful of late (1-3-4), and in fact haven't registered a win since the 30th of Sept. At home, United are starting to look slightly more solid and are now 2-1-2 in their last 5 with a for/ag. of 5/9. St Mirren are 1-2-2 away from home and can't seem to get scoring as the are 3/5 for/ag., so less than a goal a game away from home, yet conceding 1 per game on average.
I would personally back Dundee United on this one. Form is improving, especially at home and with St Mirrens poor scoring record, they may fancy themselves for all 3 points if they can close out players like John Sutton who is the most likely player to score for the Buddies. Unders bet also appears to be more favourable for this game, as St Mirren may not be able to break down an slowly improving United team.
Hibs v Celtic (Sunday)
Last 8 matches (recent L->R);
Hibs ; 2-2-1 WWDLWDLL -----|---- Celtic ; 8-0-0 WWWWWWWW
Last 5 Ho/Aw; 2-2-1 --------------|-------------- 5-0-0
Goals For/Ag.(home) : F 8 A 6 --------|-------F 11 A 3 (away)
Hibs welcome back Stewart (M) and possibly their best creative player in Zemmama (M), a player with good pace, 2 quick feet and a bagful of tricks in the locker. Killen should also be fit enough again to lead the line for Hibs. Celtic are missing first choice central defender Caldwell (D) and reports up here claim that he may be out until the beginning of 2007, which is a blow. Bobo Balde will replace him for only his 5th game of the season which could be dangerous against a fast-paced Hibs team.
As well documented, Hibs are probably the most exciting team in the SPL this year, highlighted by their brilliant football in the 6-1 humping of Motherwell last week. Their biggest worry will be the defence as they are also reknowned for conceding goals, shown by the 8/6 for/ag. in the home form. Nothing really needs to be said of Celtics recent form, 8 wins in all last 8 games, 5 in 5 away from home and only conceding 3 goals whilst scoring 11 away. The midweek game against Man U would probably have had more of an effect if it had been Wed instead of the Tues, so giving more them time to recover.
Betting wise. Hibs are still reportedly being offered at 6.00s at most places, which as mentioned elsewhere is ridiculously good odds considering some of the football they are playing and the fact they have gotten some results against Celtic in recent times. Celtics form however can't be discounted and they will be looking to continue their run of wins at Hibs cost. I'll be going for a small wager at good odds for Hibs as they could easily get a win from this game. A double chance bet on them may also be beneficial.
Going by the scoring form for both teams, I reckon Overs could also be a decent bet as both teams look good for goals.
Rangers v Kilmarnock (Sunday)
Last 8 matches (recent L->R);
Rangers ; 4-1-3 WWLDWLWL -----|---- Killie ; 3-2-3 WLDLWWLD
Last 5 Ho/Aw; 3-1-1 --------------|-------------- 2-1-2
Goals For/Ag.(home) : F 8 A 2 --------|-------F 5 A 8 (away)
Rangers will be missing Stevie Smith (D) after a back injury in midweeks game against Auxerre. Rodriguez (D) will be fully fit again and with Papac (D), will be back in the squad while goalscorer Novo faces a fitness test before Sundays game. Kilmarnock may have Wales (F) close to his first start after a months injury, but Nish (F) is suspended for this game.
Rangers have picked up a good run of form recently (4-1-3), getting back to back SPL wins for the first time this season in the last 2 games. The home form is looking a touch more solid (3-1-1) with a good for/ag. of 8/2, suggesting that the defence is a little more solid recently. Kilmarnocks form has been pretty solid over the last 8 games (3-2-3) with a record of 2-1-2 away from home. The for/ag. record might be a little worrying having conceded over a goal a game in the last 5, but they will still pose a definite danger to Rangers, especially with their defence still to gel fully.
Will go for Rangers to win this one I think. Recent form is a lot better and confidence will be high after getting a good midweek result in France. The only worry will be if they are still tired after the
Uefa cup game or not.
Scottish Premier League 25-26th Nov
but wouldnt be betting on this game at all anyway, we are likely to have our most creative midfielder back in the middle (black) and first choice keeper (brown) back after his sending off against hibs. hearts team news is pointless in trying to predict, but they usually play pretty well against us in inverness though.GIF "Thumb(1)")
)
