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 |
| Hearts -v- Hibernian |
0-1 |
2-1 |
0 |
| Dundee United -v- Aberdeen |
1-1 |
3-2 |
0 |
| Rangers -v- Celtic |
1-0 |
1-1 |
0 |
| Kilmarnock -v- Falkirk |
1-1 |
1-1 |
3 |
| St. Mirren -v- Motherwell |
1-3 |
1-1 |
0 |
| Inverness CT -v- Hamilton Accies |
1-1 |
2-1 |
0 |
| St. Johnstone -v- Aberdeen |
1-1 |
-1--1 |
0 |
| Falkirk -v- Hamilton Accies |
0-1 |
-1--1 |
0 |
| Hearts -v- Motherwell |
0-2 |
-1--1 |
0 |
| St. Mirren -v- Kilmarnock |
1-0 |
-1--1 |
0 |
| Dundee United -v- Celtic |
0-2 |
-1--1 |
0 |
| Hibernian -v- Rangers |
0-1 |
-1--1 |
0 |
Aberdeen 1 - 1 Hearts
Aberdeen, Dundee Utd and Hearts are fighting it out for Europe but there are only two places up for grabs. The Dons are currently four points behind Utd and five behind their opponents tonight which makes this home match a huge one. If they can win it Csaba Laszlo's side's status as best of the rest will come under real threat for the first time in months. Jimmy Calderwood has a good record against the Jambos, they have come up trumps at Tynecastle around the same time in previous seasons so his players have plenty of experience to call on. If Aberdeen can keep it tight at the back, cutting out individual errors, they have the firepower to take all three points and propel themselves into a strong position for Europe. Hearts though are a strong unit and difficult to break down. Their problem is a lack of cutting edge up front and they will have to put that right to leave Pittodrie three points better off. It's a match that's too tight to call so I will sit on the fence.
Celtic 2 - 1 Dundee Utd
There have been seven draws in the last eleven meetings between these sides but I think Celtic will just edge the three points in what is a massive match for both. Celtic are no longer in pole position for the title having lost the Old Firm at Ibrox on Saturday and it will be interesting to see how that psychological blow will affect them in their last three matches starting with this difficult home tie. To give themselves any chance of redeeming the situation they must win their remaining matches and hope Rangers slip up. Dundee Utd have a European agenda to worry about and if they take something from this match it will really help their cause. They've had a good run of results of late and with positive performances both on home soil and at Celtic Park already this season Craig Levein's men will fancy their chances. I tip a McGeady return and a return to winning ways.
Hamilton 1-1 Falkirk
Hamilton earned themselves a huge point in Inverness at the weekend, it represented another step towards safety for a club that deserves it's place in the top flight next season. In my opinion they are now guaranteed another season in the SPL and can afford to play their remaining matches with a degree of freedom. If anything, that will ensure more points because the teams they are facing have so much at stake that they will find it difficult to play at a high level. Falkirk are just one of those sides. The Bairns are running out of matches in their quest for SPL survival but recent results have been more positive and they are collecting some points even with the pressure of relegation upon them. I think they will again take something from this match but whether another draw is a good result we will find out soon enough.
Kilmarnock 1-0 St Mirren
I'm pretty shocked that both Kilmarnock and St Mirren find themselves in such a precarious position so late on in the season but the league doesn't lie. There are many reasons that Jim Jefferies and Gus MacPherson will give to explain why they are down there, and pretty high on the list will be a lack of killer instinct in front of goal. It's normally the thing that costs the most in football and they simply don't have the cash. Both clubs need a win desperately but Killie really must use their home advantage to good effect. If they lose this match the bookies will have a new favourite for the drop.
Motherwell 3-1 Inverness CT
Motherwell beat St Mirren convincingly last time out and Mark McGhee will be happy that his men have not switched off in the run in with only pride to play for. They are scoring freely again and generally look more like their old selves. That's an ominous sign for Inverness CT as they make the trip south because they are not far off safety and would have liked it secured at Fir Park. That's not to say they won't take all three points, if they had taken their chances against Hamilton last time out they would have won the match comfortably. I think they will need to wait a little longer before they can feel this season's job is done.
Hibs 1-1 Rangers
Rangers have now put themselves in pole position for the title and have earned the right to be the bookies favourites just at the perfect time. Walter Smith will have warned his players about complacency and they don't have to cast their minds back too long ago to see how a lead in the title chase can be easily squandered. The difference this time round is that they can see the end in sight with only three matches to negotiate. I always felt there would be a couple more twists in the SPL tail this season and I meant after the Old Firm!!! Hibs won't make Europe but that won't stop them trying to have their say in where the title ends up!
Scott Booth was talking to Robbie Balfour