It was an eventful set of fixtures last weekend with VAR controversies and shock results around the league. Celtic got the better of Rangers in the Old Firm derby in a close fought game. Whilst Hearts parted ways with manager Robbie Neilson after losing their fifth in a row in all competitions.

This week brings the third Edinburgh derby of the season and important games for sides up and down the table. With just two games until the league splits, it looks like it’s between Hibs and Livingston for the last spot in the top half, both of whom have had a bad few weeks. From a Sorare perspective, there’s some interesting games and some value players to be found for Capped Mode.

In the interest of openness, I do own cards some of the players I’m recommending (you can check out my gallery here) and will mark them with an asterisk (*). But, I’ll also try and include some players I don’t have. I’m certainly not Nostradamus, as evidenced by my Cap 240 results to date, so do your own research when picking up players.

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The Games

Ross County-Aberdeen Since sacking Jim Goodwin, Aberdeen have turned their form around climbing up to 3rd in the table. Even their away form has improved, with them win their last 2 away games taking them up to 4 for the season. On the other side, Ross County ended a 3 game losing streak last weekend after beating St Johnstone on the road. With Dundee United also winning they need to keep up the results to avoid falling into the automatic relegation spot. I might be buying into the Aberdeen revival too much, but I think they’ll win this one.

Hibernian-Hearts The Edinburgh derby sees both sides enter on 4 game losing streaks. It was enough to cost Robbie Neilson his job this week and inexperienced Steven Naismith takes the helm at Hearts. It’s a great opportunity for Hibs to break their losing streak, with Hearts having failed to win an away game since the new year and Robert Snodgrass looking to terminate his contract. You never know how derby games will go, but I think Hibs have the edge in this one.

Livingston-St Johnstone Another game of struggling sides as Livingston host St Johnstone. St Johnstone have been the better on the road than home this season, but they haven’t won in the last 5 including 2 away games. Livingston have won just one of their last 7 in the Premiership, but if they want to make it into the top half before the split, this is one they’ll have to win. It looks like it’ll be a close game, a draw is probably the most likely outcome.

Motherwell-Dundee United Dundee United got a much needed win last weekend against Hibs, but it’s hard to see them taking anything away from Fir Park. Motherwell are playing really well and just put 3 past Livingston. Motherwell have been a lot more stable defensively since their manager change and I think they have a great chance at a win-to-nil in this one.

Rangers-St Mirren Rangers should bounce back from a contentious derby loss in this game against a St Mirren team that has struggled on the road all season. St Mirren have scored a goal a game on the road, whilst Rangers conceded just 9 in 15. It looks like a comfortable Rangers win, and one they could keep a clean sheet in.

Kilmarnock-Celtic Kilmarnock have been a really decent team when they play at home. They’ve scored in all but two of their home games and taken 26 of their 28 points at Rugby Park. One of those two goal-less performance did come against Celtic back in September. Celtic all but sealed the title last week against Rangers and should win here, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them concede one to Kilmarnock.

Goalkeepers

Liam Kelly*, Motherwell – Motherwell get the best defensive match-up of the week against Dundee United making Liam Kelly a no brainer choice. Since changing managers, Kelly has kept 3 clean sheets in 7 games and has a great chance to make it 4 in 8 here. He doesn’t get much AA, but if he can avoid conceding more than 1 he should at least be close to his L15 cost of 44 points.

David Marshall, Hibernian – I think the rest of the goalkeepers with cards all come with question marks this week, so I’ll go with David Marshall of Hibs. Hearts have been poor on the road, averaging just a goal a game and are currently on a 6 game winless run. Hibs have struggled against Hearts (no league wins since 2019!) but this is a great opportunity to end the run against an inexperienced manager in his first game.

Other Thoughts: He’s burned me a few times, but Shamal George* is tempting against St Johnstone with his L15 down to 34. A clean sheet for Joe Hart* is certainly possible but Killie could grab a goal in this one, at his cost he’s probably not the greatest option. Kelle Roos* is also worth a look, with Ross County not being the most prolific home team.

Defenders

Paul Hanlon*, Hibernian – Paul Hanlon returns from suspension and could be a great value play this week. When Hibs do well, Hanlon racks up the AA and can comfortably outscore his L15 of 43. In his last 15 games he has four with a score of 53+ with no decisive actions. I think Hibs will do well against Hearts and Hanlon should be a solid play.

Morgan Boyes*, Livingston – Boyes has rotated a little bit recently, but if he starts he’s got the potential to do well at home for Livingston. It’s hard to trust Livingston to keep a clean sheet with none since January, but if they do Boyes should comfortable surpass his L15 of 43.

Other Thoughts: Paul McGinn* has been performing really well for Motherwell, but with his L15 up to 49 his upside is capped a bit. Angus MacDonald is worth a look at Aberdeen, he’s put up a couple of solid scores and Ross County should be a decent match-up. I’d look at the Celtic fullbacks over centre backs this week, they add a little more decisive potential and I think they may well concede to lose those 10 points.

Midfielders

Jason Holt*, Livingston – Holt has returned to the Livingston starting XI recently and his scores have picked up. He’s averaged 43 points since then whilst his L15 remains at 32. Against St Johnstone he should get opportunities on the ball to score some decent AA points in this one.

Todd Cantwell, Rangers – Cantwell has a very high L15 at 63 points, but he has equalled or outscored that in 5 of his 8 starts for Rangers. He’s done that with a mixture of AA only scores and decisive actions. At home to St Mirren, Rangers should control the game and give Todd plenty of time on the ball.

Other Thoughts: I normally like Danny Armstrong* of Kilmarnock at home, but against Celtic is obviously one to avoid. Reo Hatate* won’t be available for Celtic, I think Matt O’Reilly is the most likely replacement and well worth a go. Drey Wright is in the goals recently and might be able to grab one against Aberdeen. Robert Snodgrass won’t be involved with Hearts going forward according to new boss Steven Naismith.

Forwards

Kevin van Veen, Motherwell – van Veen is in fine form, scoring 7 in his last 4 games. At home to Dundee United, there should be opportunities to score more in this one. He doesn’t do much in the way of AA, so he will need a decisive to provide value on his cost of 54.

Steven May, St Johnstone – Livingston haven’t kept a clean sheet since January, home or away, so there should be chances for St Johnstone in this one. Stevie May is the most likely of anyone to record either a goal or assist. His L15 is at 46, and he can get close to that with AA, but he’ll need a decisive to put up a really strong boost.

Other Thoughts: The Aberdeen forwards should get their chances again at Ross County. In the Edinburgh derby, Lawrence Shankland might be worth a go from Hearts, he takes pens and Hearts have had Hibs’ number in recent years. Joel Nouble is worth considering from Livingston given they do tend to score at home.

My Cap 240 Line-Up

This week, I am going back to stacking Motherwell players, they did well in a decent match-up last week and they have an even better match-up this weekend against Dundee United. First off GK Liam Kelly and DEF Paul McGinn can both put up really strong scores if Motherwell can keep a clean sheet. In fact, McGinn can be a success regardless.

I’ve continued the Motherwell theme with Sean Goss in the midfield who can score pretty well without a decisive and has added a few of them in recent weeks to put up really big scores. Finally from Motherwell, it’s Kevin van Veen upfront who is in great form and is likely to be involved in the goals if Motherwell do score.

I’ve rounded off the team with Liam Scales from Aberdeen. He’s usually a defender I like to play at home rather than away, but Ross County is one of the weakest attacks in the league. He can put up some really good AA scores and I think there’s a decent chance that he can do it again this week.

With the four Motherwell players this is a pretty high variance team. A poor game from Motherwell and there’s zero chance of a threshold. However, a good game from Motherwell and there’s a chance at a card reward in addition to a threshold payment. Fingers crossed!

Gameweek #361 Recap

It’s two thresholds in a row for me, with a comfortable 287 points last week.

The two Liams, Kelly and Scales, did fantastically scoring 64 points each. With Scales not even needing a decisive to get there. Sean Goss couldn’t get amongst the Motherwell goals, but he put up a solid 50 points regardless.

The Hibs game was the one that didn’t go to plan, with Hibs suffering a shock (albeit well-deserved) loss to bottom of the league Dundee United. Kevin Nisbet had a great opportunity in the opening minutes, but had his close range effort saved. He also hit the woodwork from a free kick in the second half, but didn’t do much else as Hibs struggle to create many opportunities.

On the other hand, Joe Newell was fantastic in the centre of midfield. He had a lot of possession and played some great long passes, hopefully he can keep that up in future weeks.

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