SPL Matchday 18 Preview

By: Ian Rose | December 21st, 2007

Another weekend is here, and all twelve SPL sides are in action as some battle for the lead, some for the top 6, and some just to keep hope of survival alive. Here are the matches:

Celtic v. Hibernian Saturday 15:00
Can Celtic stop the bleeding and get back on championship form? Hibs are still reeling from the departure of manager John Collins this week, and are missing top scorer Steven Fletcher. Even with the leaky Celtic defense, I’ll tip the Bhoys, 3-1.

Dundee United v. Gretna Saturday 15:00
This is a more interesting match than it looks on paper. United are the one team to lose to Gretna this season, and the Black-and-Whites will have some hope of a repeat with United falling a bit out of form the past few weeks. However, I think this match will be more about revenge than repeat, 3-0 to United.

Hearts v. Inverness CT Saturday 15:00
The most inconsistent side in the country versus one of the hottest. After last Sunday’s 3-2 comeback win over Celtic, Caley is on a high. Hearts just barely lost to Rangers, gifting them a late goal on a keeper’s error, but are missing some key players. I’m going to predict with my heart and go for a 2-1 Inverness win, for their fifth on the trot.

Motherwell v. Falkirk Saturday 15:00
Probably the two most entertaining sides in Scotland right now, no matter what the league table says. Mark McGhee’s Motherwell have been brilliant on the road, but proved last weekend they could do it at Fir Park as well, and I see them rolling to a sixth straight win, 2-1.

St. Mirren v. Kilmarnock Saturday 15:00
Gretna fans may have one eye on this match, as these are clearly the two worst teams in the SPL besides Gretna in the last month. Certainly no one else in Scotland will be watching, as the injury-plagued Killie and just plain bad Saints wrestle over the title of second worst side. My gut says Killie for their first win in months, 1-0.

Aberdeen v. Rangers Saturday 15:00
Dons are hot off of an inspiring 4-0 win in the UEFA Cup, granting them advancement and a glamour tie against Bayern Munich, while Rangers have sputtered, dropping out of the Champions League and just barely edging Hearts last weekend. Still, Rangers can smell the top spot in the league and will be hard to dissuade. 2-1 to Rangers again.