SPL Weekend Preview: Round 25

voldemort · 02-08-2008, 06:43 PM

Dundee Utd – Hibernian (Star*Match)

Dundee Utd home SPL form: W W L L L W
Top SPL Scorer: Noel Hunt, 10
Hibs away SPL form: L L L D L L
Top SPL Scorer: Steven Fletcher, 7
The weekend action kicks off at Tannadice with Dundee United on a real high. There were emotional scenes at neutral Tynecastle as the Arabs booked a CIS Cup final place by thumping Aberdeen 4-1.
This was the first indication that Craig Levein’s men can cope without the departed Barry Robson. Lukasz Zaluska was superb in goal then, as he was last week in the 0-0 Scottish Cup draw with St Mirren. The Pole, though, was rapped for supposedly gesturing at the Aberdeen fans during the stormy affair.
As the focus returns to the league, where United sit pretty in 3rd, Christian Kalvenes’ return to fitness is a huge boost.
Hibs come to Dundee having picked up just one point in their last six away games. However, the Hibees have lost only one of the last six clashes between the sides.
Their poor form is indisputable, but their level of performance was hugely improved in the end-to-end goalless cup draw with Rangers last weekend.
Abdel Zarabi is still waiting on the postie to deliver his work permit. Striker Colin Nish toiled in the reserve defeat to Aberdeen in midweek and may have to wait for his first start.
Prediction: An entertaining score draw.

Hearts - Gretna

Hearts home SPL form: W D L L L D
Top SPL Scorer: Andrius Velicka, 9
Gretna away SPL form: L L W D L L
Top SPL Scorer: Kenny Deuchar, 3
Hearts have won two and drawn one of their last three in the league, sparking their second mini-revival of the season. Interim boss Stevie Frail, though, will wonder what toll being eliminated from two cups in two weeks will have on already fragile morale.
Ghana’s exit from the African Cup of Nations doesn’t mean a timely return for midfield ace Laryea Kingston. The hosts still have a third-place play-off with the Ivory Coast to contest and Hearts are waiting for news on the injury which ruled Larry out of the Cameroon defeat.
Meanwhile, Frail put new signing Fernando Screpis though his paces this week and will make a late decision regarding the Argentine’s involvement. Christian Nade, too, endured double training stints in a bid to improve fitness.
Relegation favourites Gretna will field a group of untested loan signings against Hearts. Everton’s John Paul Kissock, Ben Wilkinson from Hull, ’keeper Artur Krysiak from Birmingham, Blackburn Aussie Rostyn Griffiths and Barnsley stopper Rhys Meynell are all pushing for starts.
Prediction: Hearts to out-muscle the upstarts.

Motherwell - Kilmarnock

Motherwell home SPL form: W L W W D W
Top SPL Scorer: David Clarkson, 8
Kilmarnock away SPL form: L D L D L L
Top SPL Scorer: Willie Gibson, 3
After six games at FirPark were rained off lately, the groundskeeping staff has been working overtime this week laying new turf.
The fixture disruption could adversely affect the free-flowing Steelmen, who will be raring to go after so much frustration. They have lost just one of their last six here, but have dropped their last two home ties against Kilmarnock.
Defender Stephen Craigan made a return to the Northern Ireland team in midweek, coming off the bench during the defeat to Bulgaria. January signings Steven Hammell and Simon Lappin still await their debuts.
Tame Kilmarnock were thumped 5-1 by Celtic in the Scottish Cup last week. Granted, Celtic were irresistible on the day, but the last thing Jim Jeffries wants is another high-tempo team to prepare for.
The Killie board were quick to extinguish rumours of Jeffries’ imminent dismissal after the cup exit, claiming that disgruntled fans had started talking. Such a scenario might not be fiction for long unless the Ayrshire men stop the rot.
Returning trio David Lilley, Grant Murray and Allan Johnston turned out for the reserves in midweek and all three could be in the squad.
Prediction: The home side to shake off the cobwebs and edge it.

Rangers - Falkirk

Rangers home SPL form: W W W W W W
Top SPL Scorer: Kris Boyd, Daniel Cousin, 8
Falkirk away SPL form: L W W D L W
Top SPL Scorer: Michael Higdon, Pedro Moutinho, 7
Rangers have been in fine form of late, but the last two games were somewhat Jekyll and Hyde. A fine CIS Cup semi win over Hearts was followed by a tough shift during the goalless draw at Hibs. It was perhaps to be expected, as the Gers often struggle following a midweek outing.
The midweek games are starting to come thick and fast, though, with Panathinaikos looming on Wednesday. Jean-Claude Darcheville was hit with a Euro ban this week, so Daniel Cousin may see some time against Falkirk despite his current Fulham transfer saga.
Right-back Steven Whittaker is back in training after an ankle knock and should start.
Falkirk have tasted defeat in 5 of their last 6 games against Rangers, including a 7-2 Ibrox mauling in August.
Since then, the ever-improving Bairns have been one of the form sides of 2008 and have shown a newfound maturity. They ran Celtic close a fortnight ago, falling only to a Scott McDonald goal in first-half injury time.
Star man Pedro Moutinho is still with the side after a move to Turkish outfit Kayserispor collapsed this week.
Prediction: The leaders to continue their dominance at home.

St Mirren – Inverness CT

St Mirren home SPL form: W W L D L L
Top SPL Scorer: Billy Mehmet, 4
Inverness away SPL form: L L W W L W
Top SPL Scorer: Marius Niculae, Don Cowie, 6
The Buddies turned in arguably their best performance of the season in the cup draw with Dundee United last week, but again couldn’t find a cutting edge. Help is at hand, though, as new striker Jim Hamilton netted for the reserves in midweek to put himself in line for a debut.
Gary Mason is out with a calf strain whilst Will Haining begins a two-game suspension.
Inverness can be optimistic during the journey south to Paisley as they’ve only lost one in five against the Saints.
However, Craig Brewster’s troops might have completely forgotten how to play football since they last played on January 20, when they were pipped 1-0 by Rangers.
Caley are apparently allergic to draws, if their record of 15 SPL games without sharing the spoils is to be believed.
Stopper Phil McGuire serves the last of his three-game ban. New recruit from Clyde Dougie Imrie will be itching for his debut, but is unlikely to start.
Prediction: Thistle to edge improving Saints.

Aberdeen - Celtic

Aberdeen home SPL form: L W D W W W
Top SPL Scorer: Lee Miller, 7
Celtic away SPL form: W W L D W L
Top SPL Scorer: Scott MacDonald, 15
Aberdeen host Celtic on Sunday in a dress rehearsal for their Scottish Cup quarter-final in March. The Dons are bang in the middle of their most exciting spell since Alex Ferguson’s 1980s heyday, but the pressure is starting to show.
They edged past Hamilton in the Scottish Cup last week, but Jimmy Calderwood was furious to see his side miss the CIS Cup final after a toothless 4-1 defeat against Dundee Utd. Bayern Munich come calling on Thursday, so this game could be the one that breaks the camel’s back.
Lee Miller is suspended, but Jamie Smith could return after missing the United game.
Celtic visit Pittodrie looking for their seventh straight win. Furthermore, Jamie Hamill’s consolation for Kilmarnock last week was the first to beat the oft-criticised Celtic rearguard in over 500 minutes of football.
Scott McDonald continues to be razor-sharp in front of goal, bagging 5 in his last 5 games. All-in-all, the Hoops seem to be enjoying chasing Rangers for a change and are playing with a renewed verve.
However, Gordon Strachan will have to refocus his squad after 21 first team players left Glasgow on international duty this week. Georgios Samaras (pictured)is pushingfor his first start after his scoring cameo against Killie and Barry Robson should make his debut

source:goal.com

02-08-2008, 06:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
voldemort Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 8,202	SPL Weekend Preview: Round 25 Dundee *Utd – Hibernian (StarMatch)** Dundee Utd home SPL form: W W L L L W Top SPL Scorer: Noel Hunt, 10 Hibs away SPL form: L L L D L L Top SPL Scorer: Steven Fletcher, 7 The weekend action kicks off at Tannadice with Dundee United on a real high. There were emotional scenes at neutral Tynecastle as the Arabs booked a CIS Cup final place by thumping Aberdeen 4-1. This was the first indication that Craig Levein’s men can cope without the departed Barry Robson. Lukasz Zaluska was superb in goal then, as he was last week in the 0-0 Scottish Cup draw with St Mirren. The Pole, though, was rapped for supposedly gesturing at the Aberdeen fans during the stormy affair. As the focus returns to the league, where United sit pretty in 3rd, Christian Kalvenes’ return to fitness is a huge boost. Hibs come to Dundee having picked up just one point in their last six away games. However, the Hibees have lost only one of the last six clashes between the sides. Their poor form is indisputable, but their level of performance was hugely improved in the end-to-end goalless cup draw with Rangers last weekend. Abdel Zarabi is still waiting on the postie to deliver his work permit. Striker Colin Nish toiled in the reserve defeat to Aberdeen in midweek and may have to wait for his first start. Prediction: An entertaining score draw. Hearts - Gretna Hearts home SPL form: W D L L L D Top SPL Scorer: Andrius Velicka, 9 Gretna away SPL form: L L W D L L Top SPL Scorer: Kenny Deuchar, 3 Hearts have won two and drawn one of their last three in the league, sparking their second mini-revival of the season. Interim boss Stevie Frail, though, will wonder what toll being eliminated from two cups in two weeks will have on already fragile morale. Ghana’s exit from the African Cup of Nations doesn’t mean a timely return for midfield ace Laryea Kingston. The hosts still have a third-place play-off with the Ivory Coast to contest and Hearts are waiting for news on the injury which ruled Larry out of the Cameroon defeat. Meanwhile, Frail put new signing Fernando Screpis though his paces this week and will make a late decision regarding the Argentine’s involvement. Christian Nade, too, endured double training stints in a bid to improve fitness. Relegation favourites Gretna will field a group of untested loan signings against Hearts. Everton’s John Paul Kissock, Ben Wilkinson from Hull, ’keeper Artur Krysiak from Birmingham, Blackburn Aussie Rostyn Griffiths and Barnsley stopper Rhys Meynell are all pushing for starts. Prediction: Hearts to out-muscle the upstarts. Motherwell - Kilmarnock Motherwell home SPL form: W L W W D W Top SPL Scorer: David Clarkson, 8 Kilmarnock away SPL form: L D L D L L Top SPL Scorer: Willie Gibson, 3 After six games at FirPark were rained off lately, the groundskeeping staff has been working overtime this week laying new turf. The fixture disruption could adversely affect the free-flowing Steelmen, who will be raring to go after so much frustration. They have lost just one of their last six here, but have dropped their last two home ties against Kilmarnock. Defender Stephen Craigan made a return to the Northern Ireland team in midweek, coming off the bench during the defeat to Bulgaria. January signings Steven Hammell and Simon Lappin still await their debuts. Tame Kilmarnock were thumped 5-1 by Celtic in the Scottish Cup last week. Granted, Celtic were irresistible on the day, but the last thing Jim Jeffries wants is another high-tempo team to prepare for. The Killie board were quick to extinguish rumours of Jeffries’ imminent dismissal after the cup exit, claiming that disgruntled fans had started talking. Such a scenario might not be fiction for long unless the Ayrshire men stop the rot. Returning trio David Lilley, Grant Murray and Allan Johnston turned out for the reserves in midweek and all three could be in the squad. Prediction: The home side to shake off the cobwebs and edge it. Rangers - Falkirk Rangers home SPL form: W W W W W W Top SPL Scorer: Kris Boyd, Daniel Cousin, 8 Falkirk away SPL form: L W W D L W Top SPL Scorer: Michael Higdon, Pedro Moutinho, 7 Rangers have been in fine form of late, but the last two games were somewhat Jekyll and Hyde. A fine CIS Cup semi win over Hearts was followed by a tough shift during the goalless draw at Hibs. It was perhaps to be expected, as the Gers often struggle following a midweek outing. The midweek games are starting to come thick and fast, though, with Panathinaikos looming on Wednesday. Jean-Claude Darcheville was hit with a Euro ban this week, so Daniel Cousin may see some time against Falkirk despite his current Fulham transfer saga. Right-back Steven Whittaker is back in training after an ankle knock and should start. Falkirk have tasted defeat in 5 of their last 6 games against Rangers, including a 7-2 Ibrox mauling in August. Since then, the ever-improving Bairns have been one of the form sides of 2008 and have shown a newfound maturity. They ran Celtic close a fortnight ago, falling only to a Scott McDonald goal in first-half injury time. Star man Pedro Moutinho is still with the side after a move to Turkish outfit Kayserispor collapsed this week. Prediction: The leaders to continue their dominance at home. St Mirren – Inverness CT St Mirren home SPL form: W W L D L L Top SPL Scorer: Billy Mehmet, 4 Inverness away SPL form: L L W W L W Top SPL Scorer: Marius Niculae, Don Cowie, 6 The Buddies turned in arguably their best performance of the season in the cup draw with Dundee United last week, but again couldn’t find a cutting edge. Help is at hand, though, as new striker Jim Hamilton netted for the reserves in midweek to put himself in line for a debut. Gary Mason is out with a calf strain whilst Will Haining begins a two-game suspension. Inverness can be optimistic during the journey south to Paisley as they’ve only lost one in five against the Saints. However, Craig Brewster’s troops might have completely forgotten how to play football since they last played on January 20, when they were pipped 1-0 by Rangers. Caley are apparently allergic to draws, if their record of 15 SPL games without sharing the spoils is to be believed. Stopper Phil McGuire serves the last of his three-game ban. New recruit from Clyde Dougie Imrie will be itching for his debut, but is unlikely to start. Prediction: Thistle to edge improving Saints. Aberdeen - Celtic Aberdeen home SPL form: L W D W W W Top SPL Scorer: Lee Miller, 7 Celtic away SPL form: W W L D W L Top SPL Scorer: Scott MacDonald, 15 Aberdeen host Celtic on Sunday in a dress rehearsal for their Scottish Cup quarter-final in March. The Dons are bang in the middle of their most exciting spell since Alex Ferguson’s 1980s heyday, but the pressure is starting to show. They edged past Hamilton in the Scottish Cup last week, but Jimmy Calderwood was furious to see his side miss the CIS Cup final after a toothless 4-1 defeat against Dundee Utd. Bayern Munich come calling on Thursday, so this game could be the one that breaks the camel’s back. Lee Miller is suspended, but Jamie Smith could return after missing the United game. Celtic visit Pittodrie looking for their seventh straight win. Furthermore, Jamie Hamill’s consolation for Kilmarnock last week was the first to beat the oft-criticised Celtic rearguard in over 500 minutes of football. Scott McDonald continues to be razor-sharp in front of goal, bagging 5 in his last 5 games. All-in-all, the Hoops seem to be enjoying chasing Rangers for a change and are playing with a renewed verve. However, Gordon Strachan will have to refocus his squad after 21 first team players left Glasgow on international duty this week. Georgios Samaras (pictured)is pushingfor his first start after his scoring cameo against Killie and Barry Robson should make his debut source:goal.com