SPL Preview

As the saying goes it is another big weekend in the SPL with Rangers looking to keep their 100% record going and a Lanarkshire Derby.

Rangers welcome Terry Butcher’s Inverness to Ibrox on Saturday following their win in the Old Firm and then their win over Killie in the League Cup. The Highlanders have made a great start to the season and travel to Ibrox high on confidence, but Rangers will probably have too much class for them.

The home side will be back at full strength after resting five in midweek and Kenny Miller will be looking to add to his 12 goals this season.

Verdict:- Home win.

Celtic face a second trip to Perth in four days and will be looking to repeat their win in the League Cup on Wednesday night. They won’t be able to have any defensive lapses like they did in the League Cup game, or they will once again have to score a minimum of three to win.

The teams will know each other inside out, and this could be another tricky fixture for Celtic

Verdict:- Score draw

Hibs take on Dundee Utd at Tannadice, and United will be looking to bounce back after two defeats on the spin at Mothewell. They will be given a tough task if they can’t find a way of shoring up their central defence, with Kenneth, Severin and Dillon having shockers in those two games.

Hibs also have their worries at the back with Bamba and Hanlon having shockers in their 2-4 defeat to Aberdeen at Pittodrie last week.

This has all the hallmarks of a goalless draw!

Verdict:- nil nil

Motherwell go into the Lanarkshire derby looking for their third win in the space of a week, following their two wins over United. They have come at a cost with Lasley and Murphy likely to be out for a few weeks, this will test their paper thin squad.

The Accies will raise their game as they look to bounce back from a sore defeat to St. Johnstone last week. They too have been suffering from defensive frailities and Billy Reid will be looking for the return of Alex Neil.

Verdict:- Home win.

Aberdeen travel to Paisley in high spirits for a change after two wins this week already. At the start of the week Mark McGhee was under pressure and looking unlikely to last the week, but has now steered them to a League Cup semi and will be bullet proof for a spell yet.

His counter part at St. Mirren is not in the same space, Danny Lennon is finding the step up the SPL tough and his team are toiling at the bottom of the table, and can’t buy a win.

Verdict:- Away win.

On Sunday Hearts take on Killie, and are on a bit of a roll that has seen them move into fourth. The return of Rudi Skacel seems to have sparked of a revival in Gorgie, and he bagged a hat trick last week. It has been a good week for Hearts as they have also reduced their debt at the same time.

Killie have been struggling of late and need a win badly if they don’t want to be dragged into a relegation fight with St. Mirren and the Accies. This is not the fixture they would really want with Hearts on fire.

Verdict:- Home win.

Saturday, 30 October 2010

St Johnstone v Celtic, 12:00 (ESPN)

Dundee Utd v Hibernian, 15:00

Motherwell v Hamilton, 15:00

Rangers v Inverness CT, 15:00

St Mirren v Aberdeen, 15:00

Sunday, 31 October 2010

Hearts v Kilmarnock, 12:45 (Sky)