SPL Weekend Preview: Round 22

voldemort · 01-04-2008, 11:19 AM

Falkirk - Aberdeen

Impressive Falkirk are unbeaten in five games, winning their last four. They have added some grit to their free-flowing football, climbing to 6th place - within a point of Dundee United and opponents Aberdeen.
The Bairns have signed former Motherwell and Celtic midfielder Kevin McBride from Darlington. John Hughes has also extended goalkeeper Tim Krul’s loan from Newcastle until the end of the season. Krul is suspended, though, after a last minute sending off in the win over Kilmarnock.
Aberdeen are unbeaten in four, but only scored one goal in each game despite dominating. Boss Jimmy Calderwood knows that his side must show more conviction before ugly results turn into ugly defeats.
The Dons hope to have Zander Diamond back from injury to ease their current defensive crisis.
Aberdeen’s makeshift rearguard will be thoroughly tested by Falkirk, who are capable of breaking down the hardworking Dons. The clubs will then repeat this fixture next week in the Scottish Cup.
Prediction: 2-1

Hearts - Kilmarnock

Caretaker boss Stevie Frail promised to clamp down on indiscipline after watching his team self-destruct at Dundee Utd. Marius Zaliukas, Lee Wallace and Michael Stewart saw red en route to a 4-1 Tannadice humbling, and are thus suspended.
Claims that the hotheaded display was disrespectful to the memory of Phil O’Donnell are perhaps out of order. Hearts would have wanted the midweek fixture postponed as much as anyone, but the under-pressure 10th placed stragglers were forced to play.
Things won’t get any easier for Hearts with Saulius Mikoliunas and Andrew Driver also doubtful.
Kilmarnock boss Jim Jeffries called for a winning streak last week, but the 1-0 home defeat to Falkirk hints at the opposite. Kilmarnock have been highly inconsistent all season and their fixture list looks tough over the next five SPL games, with the Old Firm lying in wait.
Hearts simply must react positively at home.
Prediction 2-1

Inverness CT - Gretna

Resurgent Caley have won six of their last eight, with the two defeats occurring away from home. Boss Craig Brewster will be glad to be back at the Caledonian Stadium to host rock-bottom Gretna.
Gretna have begun a New Year clear-out by releasing or loaning out several fringe players. The transfer window is key for the rookies, who must add quality in order to continue their improved form.
Davie Irons’ men suffered a 4-0 defeat to Caley in October and are unlikely to take anything from the Highlands either during this period of transition.
Prediction 1-0

Rangers – Dundee Utd

Rangers should be coming into this one after an Old Firm derby, but their trip to CelticPark was postponed. Therefore, the visit of Dundee United will be a different proposition.
Chris Burke was impressive in the 2-1 win over Hibs last weekend. The extra time off gives he and other returning players such as Nacho Novo and Jean-Claude Darcheville time to prove their fitness. The Gers play again on Tuesday evening against St Mirren.
Right-back Alan Hutton (pictured) sensationally rejected a move to Tottenham this week, which will help stability at the club during a crucial time.
Dundee United were upset at having to play just four days after the fateful 5-3 defeat against Motherwell and tragic Phil O’Donnell. The game itself was something of a fluke for the otherwise defensively sound Arabs, who then romped eight-men Hearts to the tune of 4-1.
It is, therefore, hard to tell what kind of shape Craig Levein’s men are in ahead of the trip to Glasgow. Still, the form of Celtic target Barry Robson and forward Noel Hunt could steal them a point from Ibrox.
Prediction 1-1

St Mirren - Hibernian

The Buddies are creating few chances, scoring only two in their last five. Furthermore, Gus MacPherson’s men have scored two goals in a game only once this term – back in August.
In October, though, St Mirren snatched a 1-0 win against 10-men Hibs at Easter Road. The Buddies are hardworking, of nothing else, and will fancy their chances again against managerless Hibernian at home.
Hibs, for their part, hope for fitness boosts ahead of the trip to Paisley. David Murphy and Kevin McCann missed the defeat against Rangers, whilst Guillaume Beuzelin and Filipe Morais are trying to shake off knocks.
Normally, few would tip uninspiring Saints to trouble talented Hibs – but the Edinburgh men have been insipid since John Collins’ departure and could be caught cold.
Prediction 1-0

source:goal.com

01-04-2008, 11:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
voldemort Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 8,202	SPL Weekend Preview: Round 22 Falkirk - Aberdeen Impressive Falkirk are unbeaten in five games, winning their last four. They have added some grit to their free-flowing football, climbing to 6th place - within a point of Dundee United and opponents Aberdeen. The Bairns have signed former Motherwell and Celtic midfielder Kevin McBride from Darlington. John Hughes has also extended goalkeeper Tim Krul’s loan from Newcastle until the end of the season. Krul is suspended, though, after a last minute sending off in the win over Kilmarnock. Aberdeen are unbeaten in four, but only scored one goal in each game despite dominating. Boss Jimmy Calderwood knows that his side must show more conviction before ugly results turn into ugly defeats. The Dons hope to have Zander Diamond back from injury to ease their current defensive crisis. Aberdeen’s makeshift rearguard will be thoroughly tested by Falkirk, who are capable of breaking down the hardworking Dons. The clubs will then repeat this fixture next week in the Scottish Cup. Prediction: 2-1 Hearts - Kilmarnock Caretaker boss Stevie Frail promised to clamp down on indiscipline after watching his team self-destruct at Dundee Utd. Marius Zaliukas, Lee Wallace and Michael Stewart saw red en route to a 4-1 Tannadice humbling, and are thus suspended. Claims that the hotheaded display was disrespectful to the memory of Phil O’Donnell are perhaps out of order. Hearts would have wanted the midweek fixture postponed as much as anyone, but the under-pressure 10th placed stragglers were forced to play. Things won’t get any easier for Hearts with Saulius Mikoliunas and Andrew Driver also doubtful. Kilmarnock boss Jim Jeffries called for a winning streak last week, but the 1-0 home defeat to Falkirk hints at the opposite. Kilmarnock have been highly inconsistent all season and their fixture list looks tough over the next five SPL games, with the Old Firm lying in wait. Hearts simply must react positively at home. Prediction 2-1 Inverness CT - Gretna Resurgent Caley have won six of their last eight, with the two defeats occurring away from home. Boss Craig Brewster will be glad to be back at the Caledonian Stadium to host rock-bottom Gretna. Gretna have begun a New Year clear-out by releasing or loaning out several fringe players. The transfer window is key for the rookies, who must add quality in order to continue their improved form. Davie Irons’ men suffered a 4-0 defeat to Caley in October and are unlikely to take anything from the Highlands either during this period of transition. Prediction 1-0 Rangers – Dundee Utd Rangers should be coming into this one after an Old Firm derby, but their trip to CelticPark was postponed. Therefore, the visit of Dundee United will be a different proposition. Chris Burke was impressive in the 2-1 win over Hibs last weekend. The extra time off gives he and other returning players such as Nacho Novo and Jean-Claude Darcheville time to prove their fitness. The Gers play again on Tuesday evening against St Mirren. Right-back Alan Hutton (pictured) sensationally rejected a move to Tottenham this week, which will help stability at the club during a crucial time. Dundee United were upset at having to play just four days after the fateful 5-3 defeat against Motherwell and tragic Phil O’Donnell. The game itself was something of a fluke for the otherwise defensively sound Arabs, who then romped eight-men Hearts to the tune of 4-1. It is, therefore, hard to tell what kind of shape Craig Levein’s men are in ahead of the trip to Glasgow. Still, the form of Celtic target Barry Robson and forward Noel Hunt could steal them a point from Ibrox. Prediction 1-1 St Mirren - Hibernian The Buddies are creating few chances, scoring only two in their last five. Furthermore, Gus MacPherson’s men have scored two goals in a game only once this term – back in August. In October, though, St Mirren snatched a 1-0 win against 10-men Hibs at Easter Road. The Buddies are hardworking, of nothing else, and will fancy their chances again against managerless Hibernian at home. Hibs, for their part, hope for fitness boosts ahead of the trip to Paisley. David Murphy and Kevin McCann missed the defeat against Rangers, whilst Guillaume Beuzelin and Filipe Morais are trying to shake off knocks. Normally, few would tip uninspiring Saints to trouble talented Hibs – but the Edinburgh men have been insipid since John Collins’ departure and could be caught cold. Prediction 1-0 source:goal.com