Boothy’s predictions
Our resident expert Scott Booth will run his eye over the weekend's Clydesdale Bank Premier League fixtures each week and give his big match predictions.
As a former Scottish international striker and current Setanta Sports Scottish football analyst we feel he's pretty qualified to give a weekly run down of who's doing what in the SPL, check out his latest predictions here.
Last week's results
| Match |
Result |
Prediction |
Points |
| Falkirk -v- Dundee United |
0-1 |
0-2 |
1 |
| St. Mirren -v- Aberdeen |
1-1 |
1-0 |
0 |
| Hamilton Accies -v- Hibernian |
0-1 |
1-0 |
0 |
| Hearts -v- Motherwell |
2-1 |
2-2 |
0 |
| Kilmarnock -v- Celtic |
1-2 |
1-3 |
1 |
| Rangers -v- Inverness CT |
0-1 |
3-1 |
0 |
| Hibernian -v- Kilmarnock |
1-0 |
-1--1 |
0 |
| Hamilton Accies -v- Aberdeen |
1-1 |
-1--1 |
0 |
| Rangers -v- St. Mirren |
3-1 |
-1--1 |
0 |
| St. Johnstone -v- Motherwell |
1-2 |
-1--1 |
0 |
| Falkirk -v- Celtic |
0-2 |
-1--1 |
0 |
| Dundee United -v- Hearts |
1-0 |
-1--1 |
0 |
Celtic 3 - 0 Falkirk
Celtic's four goal victory over Hamilton at the weekend will have pleased Gordon Strachan in more ways than one with his misfiring strikers Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Georgios Samaras both getting on the score sheet. Shunsuke Nakamura and Aiden McGeady also played their part in an impressive Celtic performance which highlights the scale of the task ahead of John Hughes' men.
Currently rooted to the bottom of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, Falkirk are in desperate need of points but their lack of punch up front is worrying. The Bairns enjoyed a significant amount of possession against Rangers on Sunday but despite looking more than comfortable on the ball they didn't create enough chances for my liking. On their day Falkirk can out play any side in the league but I just don't think they have enough firepower to take anything away from Celtic Park on Wednesday night.
St Mirren 1 - 2 Rangers
I've predicted a win for Walter Smith's men in this one but expect it to be close. Rangers simply aren't playing well enough to brush aside St.Mirren and will have to work for the points at St. Mirren Park. Injures to some key first team players combined with well publicised off field problems have made the already difficult task of catching Celtic even harder for Walter Smith's side.
St Mirren have well and truly been dragged into the SPL relegation battle in recent weeks and need to start picking up points as soon as possible. That in mind I wouldn't be surprised if Gus MacPherson sets his side up to frustrate Rangers, who without any real width in their team might just struggle to break them down. Rangers will need to find a higher tempo than they had against Falkirk on Sunday if they are to keep touch with Celtic in the title race but for another week at least I expect the gap to stay at three points.
Aberdeen 2 - 1 Hamilton
The Dons have already been beaten by Hamilton on home soil this season so they will be well aware of the strengths of Billy Reid's men on their travels. With a European spot not far from reach, Aberdeen know the stakes are high and for this reason I'm going to plump for a home win. Of course as I've said in the past the Hamilton gaffer will be delighted that I am backing against them because it usually means three points in the bag for the Accies. Injuries are costly for most sides in the SPL but for the newly promoted side to have as many doubts as they do this weekend will leave them reaching.
Hibernian 1 - 1 Heart of Midlothian
In recent times this derby match has provided us with some absolutely cracking matches but the last few have been non events and I wouldn't be surprised if this turns out to be the same. Why? Well, firstly I think both clubs would be satisfied with a draw and secondly Hearts' style of play this season makes open attractive football hard to come by. That said, I'm not taking anything away from the Jambos, they've achieved a great deal already this season - under the usual difficult circumstances - and fully merit the third spot they now occupy. It's just that they are pretty methodical in their attitude to matches. Despite a confidence boosting win last time out against Hamilton, I don't think Hibs are good enough at the moment to counter these measures and make it the footballing spectacle is has been in the past.
Inverness CT 1 - 0 Kilmarnock
Having finally got themselves off the bottom of the table Inverness CT will want to stay there. Terry Butcher's influence has been immense but even if he does have the 'X' factor in these situations, results are the work of the players not some mad Englishman screaming on the sidelines!! In all seriousness it's been a magnificent team effort to get the club back in with a chance of survival and Kilmarnock will find it tough to stop the 'Highland Express'. Jim Jefferies men need to find some winning form if they are to enjoy the remainder of the season - if they don't, their position may become precarious.
Motherwell 2 - 1 Dundee United
This has all the makings of an absolute beauty! United need a win to keep up the pressure on Hearts in third spot and maintain a comfortable cushion ahead of the chasing pack. Motherwell have just got back to within striking distance of the top six and haven't yet given up hope of some European football next season. If you take into account the way both of these sides can play when on form, it could be a real ding dong battle. Of course the terrible state of the Fir Park pitch will no doubt play its part as will the pressure both sides will be under from their fans' ever growing expectations. Both managers are stars in my eyes and I'm sure this will be as enthralling a tussle of managerial egos on the sidelines as it is a tactical contest on the park! Not sure why but my hunch is for a Motherwell win.
Scott Booth was talking to Robbie Balfour