Last weekend’s Premiership action was eventful to say the least! Lee Johnson became the first manager to be sacked after a poor home loss to Livingston. Hearts cost themselves a point against Dundee with some appalling defender. Whilst Celtic shockingly dropped points at home to Saint Johnstone.

There’s sure to be more drama in the last round of games before the international break. We have the first Old Firm derby of the season on Sunday. Manager-less Hibs travel to Pittodrie to face Aberdeen and Kilmarnock have a change to continue their strong start as they host Ross County. As usual we’ll run through all 6 games with an eye on the Sorare Capped competitions. 

In the interest of openness, I do own cards some of the players I’m recommending (you can check out my gallery here) and I 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 I recommend you do your own research when picking up players.

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The Games

Kilmarnock-Ross County Kilmarnock have started the season in really good form, they’ve beaten both Old Firm sides between the league and Viaplay Cup. They did suffer their first loss of the season last weekend away to Motherwell, but they were very much in the game and probably deserved a point. Ross County have also faced both Old Firm sides, but could only manage 2 goal defeats in each sandwiched between a win over St Johnstone. Kilmarnock are definitely the side to target in this game and I think a win-to-nil is a real possibility. 

Livingston-St Mirren Both Livingston and St Mirren have exceeded my expectations at the start of the season. Cash-strapped Livi have managed 4 points from their opening after three games including a big win against Hibs last weekend. St Mirren have played really well and were unlucky not to have a perfect record after last weekend’s draw with a poor Aberdeen side. Livingston have typically been a stronger home side in the Premiership but with St Mirren’s strong form I think they take at least one point and possibly even all three!

St Johnstone-Dundee After earning a much needed point against Celtic last weekend, St Johnstone have one of their best opportunities to add more this weekend. However, newly promoted Dundee have been solid so far and got a big win against Hearts last weekend. From a Sorare perspective I expect there will be value in both teams in what should be a close game. I’d give a slight edge to Dundee but this is definitely one that could end nil-nil. 

Rangers-Celtic The first Old Firm derby of the season takes place on Sunday. Both sides have had some off performances already and Celtic in particular look a shadow of last season’s side. With the game taking place at Ibrox, that would seem to give the advantage to Rangers. But, with a huge European game taking place this midweek there may be some tired legs. In a derby like this it could alway go either way, but I think there will be goals for both sides and would lean towards a Rangers win than a Celtic one.

Aberdeen-Hibernian Aberdeen host manager-less Hibs in the second of Sunday’s fixtures. Both teams will be playing 2 days after Europa qualifying games, although for Hibs there is only pride to play for in the return leg against Aston Villa. Hibs have conceded in every game this season, so Aberdeen goals are almost guaranteed in this one. Hibs have at least been good going forward for the most part. It looks like Neil Lennon will be taking over as manager, and perhaps he can give the Hibees a new manager bounce, however I still don’t think they’ll have enough about them to earn a point in this one. 

Hearts-Motherwell Hearts and Motherwell round out the gameweek at Tynecastle. Before that though Hearts have a trip to Greece to contend with as they face PAOK in a tie finely balanced at 2-2. Motherwell managed a late win against Kilmarnock last weekend but lost their third forward to a significant injury. With that in mind I like Hearts to win this one despite the air miles from midweek. It’s hard to see Motherwell having much success in front of goal, so Hearts defenders will be great plays this week!

Goalkeepers

Zander Clark, Hearts – Zander Clark has kept clean sheets in two of three Premiership games this season. At home to Motherwell, I think he has a great chance of making it three this week. Hearts get Alex Cochrane back from suspension to bolster their defence (more on him later). They also get to face a Motherwell attack seriously short on options. After Kilmarnock, I think Hearts have the best chance at a clean sheet this week, so Clark should have a good chance at topping his 45 cost this week.

Trevor Carson*, Dundee – Carson is comfortably my favourite of the goalkeepers with cards this week. Dundee might be playing away from home, but they do face St Johnstone who have failed to score in all three of the Premiership games this season. Carson comes in at a pretty affordable 42 points and I’m pretty hopeful he can keep a clean sheet in this game. If he doesn’t, he can still get somewhere around his cost with AA.

Other Thoughts: Assuming we don’t get new cards by Friday, Shamal George* is the only other goalkeeper I’d want to play. He might not have a great chance at a clean sheet, but at a cost of 30 he can still provide decent value. Joe Hart* against Rangers and both keepers in the Hibs-Aberdeen game are ones to avoid for sure.

Defenders

Alex Cochrane*, Hearts – Alex Cochrane’s three game suspension is finally over! He should take his place in the starting XI at left back this weekend, after being the preferred option in Europe and the Viaplay Cup so far. He’s pretty cheap against the cap at 33 and should have some opportunities to get forward playing Motherwell at home. There’s also a decent shot at the 10 point clean sheet bonus given Motherwell’s injury problems up front. Cochrane should have no issues outscoring his L15 and there’s a great chance he smashes it!

Lewis Mayo*, Kilmarnock – Lewis Mayo is a bit more of an expensive option at 50 points, but one with a great opportunity this week. Kilmarnock host Ross County and will like their chances of winning and keeping a clean sheet this weekend. Mayo started the season really well with two 60+ scores before 36 last week against Motherwell. He was also an excellent scorer at home last season, managing 47.8 on average. In a really good match-up we should expect another strong home performance from Mayo. Certainly enough to top 50 points and possibly even another in the 60s.

Other Thoughts: If you’re looking to pair a Dundee defender with Carson, Joe Shaughnessy* would be my pick. Luiyi de Lucas has made a really good start to the season for Livingston and should be good again this week. For capped mode I’ll be avoiding all defenders from Celtic and Rangers this week!

Midfielders

Daniel Armstrong*, Kilmarnock – Armstrong is one of my favourite capped mode midfielders and a no brainer addition to the column this week. Armstrong remains the star player for Kilmarnock and is involved in just about everything going forward. Most importantly for Sorare scoring, he also takes the majority of set pieces for Killie. Armstrong has started the season in pretty decent form setting up a goal against Celtic in the Viaplay Cup and one against Motherwell last weekend. At home to Ross County there will be opportunities for Kilmarnock to score, so I expect plenty of attacking AA from Armstrong and a decent shot at a decisive as well.

Graham Carey, St Johnstone – A St Johnstone midfielder might be a bit of a strange one given their start of the season, but I think Graham Carey is solid value this week. He’s pretty cheap at 40 points and has had a solid start to the season on the left side of midfield. So far this season he’s topped 42 points in each game on the back of some excellent attacking AA scoring. Whilst St Johnstone are struggling overall, a home game against Dundee is about as positive match-up as it gets. Carey has an excellent chance at outscoring 40 points again this week and he should get his chances at a decisive as well.

Other Thoughts: Livingston midfielder Jason Holt* is 41 points and should be able to outscore that. There’s plenty of injuries in the Hearts midfield, but if you can pick a starter there should be value there. Aberdeen newcomer Dante Polvara should be able to exceed 38 points against Hibs.

Forwards

Bojan Miovski*, Aberdeen – Bojan Miovski is my pick of the forwards this week against Hibs. Hibs have failed to keep a clean sheet all season and are currently manager-less. So Aberdeen scoring multiple goals feels like a given. Miovski leads the line and should get opportunities from open play as well as being the penalty taker for the Dons. He isn’t especially cheap at 49 points and he will need a decisive to provide positive value. Miovski has recorded decisives in his last 3 games and I’d back him to get another here.

Yutaro Oda, Hearts – Japanese winger Yutaro Oda has established himself as a starter for Hearts this season. With Barrie McKay looking set to miss months, Oda should see a lot of gametime for the foreseeable future. He has flashed for Hearts and opened the season with a decisive, although his scores have been less impressive the past couple of weeks. However, against Motherwell Oda should see plenty of the ball and have a great chance to rebound. His L15 is 44 at the moment and he has the potential to outscore that with AA alone.

Other Thoughts: Marley Watkins is a decisive dependant option for Kilmarnock, but at 32 points there’s some value there. Joel Nouble is the man to have if you like Livingston to score. From the Old Firm, I’d lean toward Ranger’s forwards over Celtic given Celtic’s struggles against St Johnstone last week.

My Cap 240 Line-Up

The final chance at earning a threshold with Premiership players before the international break! In goal it’s Trevor Carson for me. Easily the best value option available in my gallery and one with a decent shot at a clean sheet this weekend.

There’s no stack with Carson, but I do have a pair of Kilmarnock players. Lewis Mayo should manage a strong AA score in defence, especially if Killie keep a clean sheet. Daniel Armstrong should do the same in midfield and adds plenty of decisive potential as well!

Up top it’s Bojan Miovski against a putrid Hibs defence. He needs a decisive to provide value, but this is as good a match-up as any to grab one!

Finally, I’ve got defender Stelios Andreou from Belgian side Charleroi in the extra spot. This weekend they host Sint-Truiden and should have a good chance at a clean sheet. Andreou can put up some solid AA scores and adds the odd goal as well. 

GW #401 Recap

It was a weekend to forget for me last weekend, Motherwell conceded in the first half against Kilmarnock to end any hopes of a good day for Liam Kelly. Although Paul McGinn did still manage a solid score in defence.

I had high hopes for Joe Newell in a home game against Livingston. But Hibs we’re poor and Newell was terrible from a Sorare perspective! 

Can Keles provided decent value given his very low L15. But Wendell only came off the bench to play on Monday which well and truly ended any hopes of scraping a threshold. 

On to next week!

If you haven’t signed up to Sorare and fancy giving it a go, sign up via this referral link and earn a free limited card when you collect five cards via New Card Auctions.