Scottish Football returns to domestic action after a hectic international break.
8 sides spent the break in Betfred Cup action, Dundee United, Hamilton, Hibernian, Kilmarnock, Livingston, Ross County, St. Johnstone and St. Mirren all took the pitch with various levels of success.
Fixtures
Saturday 17th October
Celtic v Rangers
Dundee United v Aberdeen
Hamilton v St. Johnstone
Livingston v Kilmarnock
Ross County v Hibernian
St. Mirren v Motherwell
Tuesday 20th October
Aberdeen v Hamilton
Celtic v Rangers - Saturday 12:30 - Sky Sports
The first Old Firm game of the season comes along and brings with it a few headaches for Neil Lennon, four players in his squad either tested positive or have had to self-isolate due to COVID-19. Odsonne Edouard (8.4), Ryan Christie (7.5), Nir Bitton (4.2) and Hatem Abed Elhamed (3.5). James Forrest (8.3) remains out with an ankle problem. Edouard landed back in Scotland yesterday, but will only be on the bench at most. Christie was denied a shortened isolation period by the Scottish Government so he misses out. Albian Ajeti (7.2) has passed a fitness test and is likely to lead the line. Leigh Griffiths (5.9) could play up top along side him, the Scot netted the winner against St. Johnstone before the break in his first league appearance of the season, and also scored in a bounce game against Motherwell.
Rangers are still without Nikola Katic (3.0), and the game appears to come to soon for Joe Aribo (4.4) and Kemar Roofe (6.7). The visitors will arrive full of confidence knowing that they won 2-1 last time they visited Celtic Park, which was their first away Old Firm win since 2010, and a win could put Steven Gerrard's side 4 points clear at the top of the table, and give them the momentum to mount a real title challenge.
Dundee United v Aberdeen - Saturday 15:00
United had a poor end to the international break losing 1-0 to Peterhead and barely scrapping a 1-0 win when Kelty Hearts visited Tannadice on Tuesday. Without Lawrence Shankland (5.7) up-top, Micky Mellon's side looked toothless, failing to even register a shot on target against Peterhead. Nicky Clark (4.2) and Cammy Smith (3.6) both netted a double in a 6-2 defeat of Brechin, however with the arrival of Marc McNulty (4.4) they could struggle for consistent game time. United were one of only two Premiership sides that played 3 times during the break, they face an Aberdeen side who got to rest and will potentially have the edge on match sharpness.
Andy Considine (2.9) made his Scotland debut against Slovakia and played against the Czech Republic as well. He put in back-to-back great performances and will look to keep playing at that level as Aberdeen look to continue their great defensive record this season.
Hamilton v St. Johnstone - Saturday 15:00
Accies were another side to have a poor Betfred cup campaign, losing 3-1 to Annan before bouncing back by beating Ayr 2-1. On the brightside however, David Templeton (4.0) could did pick up an assist and with a lot of play going through the tricky winger, he could get another with this double gameweek.
St. Johnstone finally found the way to goal, netting 9 times in two matches during the break. Including a 7-0 win against Brechin. The improvements looked to be there, with more men in the box, better run making and a game that could've ended up as a cricket score. With the addition of Guy Melamed (4.9), who will start training this week after his isolation period ended, has a goals per 90 rate that hasn't been below 0.38 in the last five seasons, for comparison, this is on the level of Alfredo Morelos (0.44) and Lawrence Shankland (0.43). With Stevie May (5.2) full of confidence after a hat-trick, could Saints' attacking woes finally be put to bed. St. Johnstone have won 9 of the last 11 meetings between these sides.
Livingston v Kilmarnock - Saturday 15:00
Livingston have rattled off 4 consecutive wins in all competitions and are in fine form. Alan Forrest (3.2) has scored in 3 of those games, including both league games against St. Johnstone and Dundee United.
Kilmarnock have had an usual time of things after having their last game before the break postponed before having to forfeit their first Betfred Cup game, in the second game against Dunfermline, Alex Dyer was forced to field five youth players, as they suffered a second 3-0 defeat, taking away any chance of progressing. There is no way to know how many Killie players are out for this fixture, however FFS favourites Nicke Kambamba (4.5) and Chris Burke (5.0) are both fully fit and healthy after each playing 89 minutes on Tuesday.
Ross County v Hibernian - Saturday 15:00
County will be without Josh Reid (2.1), due to him having to self-isolate after Scotland U-19's coach Billy Stark tested positive for COVID-19. Ross Stewart (5.4) comes into the game in fine form after a brace on Tuesday night against Arbroath. In the three meetings between these sides last season, the home team was undefeated, winning twice and drawing once.
Hibs were the only other premiership side to play three games in the Betfred Cup. They won all three games, however, they only managed one clean sheet. Steven Mallan (6.5) was on-form, scoring twice and assisting twice helping Hibs lead Group B with only a match against Dundee in November left to play. Kevin Nisbet (5.3) kept his fantastic season going netting a fantastic winner against Cove Rangers. Josh Doig (2.8) will also miss this game after being with the Scotland U-19s.
St. Mirren v Motherwell - Saturday 15:00
The Buddies poor run continues as they have now lost 6 consecutive league matches, failing to score in three of those. Add in three players missing due to COVID, and it appears that Jim Goodwin's side will be favourites to be bottom of the table by Saturday night.
Motherwell could be becoming rusty after not playing a competitive game for 20 days, but, this is probably the best situation possible for them to return to action. Allan Campbell (4.5) is the only Motherwell to score more than once in the league this season, the midfielder has scored with both his shots on target this season, and despite only only 0.9 shots per 90, he'll need to step on to fill the void left by David Turnbull.
Aberdeen v Hamilton - Tuesday 19:00
Lewis Ferguson (4.3) has five goals already this season and faces Dundee United and Hamilton who have both conceded 16 goals this season, the most of any team in the league. Accies have also faced 58 shots on target, second most of any side. Although, 4 of Ferguson's five goals have came from the spot, both Accies and United are yet to concede a penalty this season, Rangers are the only other side not to do so.
This might be the time to pick up a Hamilton player, with a decent run of fixtures after this week. Hakeem Odoffin (2.3) and David Templeton (4.0) are the obvious options, but if you want a riskier pick then Ross Callachan (2.6) is your man, the gritty midfielder does a lot of work that doesn't get rewarded and has a habit of picking up a booking, his upside however is being on penalties. The Dons and Saints have combined to give away 3 penalties this season, meaning Callachan could be the differential you need to vault up your mini-league.
Scout XI
The Old Firm game looks to be balanced on a knife edge, it is so hard to tell which way the game is going to go. So I have decided to play it safe and picked Albian Ajeti who has an insane 83% conversion rate this season and James Tavernier who averages 9.7 point per game.
I've tripled up on Aberdeen since I believe they have two very favourable fixtures.
Nisbet gets the armband as his form with Ross County's poor defensive record makes for the perfect combination.
If you are looking for some more riskier picks then consider;
Jason Kerr - Hamilton (A)
Ross Stewart - Hibs (H)
Chris Burke - Livingston (A)
Leigh Griffiths - Rangers (H)
Hakeem Odoffin - St. Johnstone (H) & Aberdeen (A)
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