This week all six Scottish Premiership games take place on Saturday and sadly none are being televised on UK TV. There are some interesting ties, and Motherwell – Celtic is at least available on PPV if anyone’s interested. In terms of selecting players for Sorare, it’s a week to be wary of rotation as 8 sides have played in the Viaplay Cup during the week.

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

Motherwell-Celtic It’s back-to-back games against the Old Firm for Motherwell after they suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to Rangers last weekend. Motherwell have started the season really well, and will surely be a tough challenge for Celtic. In fact Motherwell haven’t conceded more than 1 goal in a league game this season. Overall, I think this a game to avoid entirely for Capped competitions. Whilst Celtic should win, I think it will be a closer game than most of theirs and obviously Motherwell players should be avoided here.

Hibernian-Dundee Hibs earned a very comfortable 2-0 victory over St Johnstone, keeping their second clean sheet of the season. Against Dundee they will be hopeful of making a third this weekend. One thing we should be guaranteed is goals from the Hibee’s as Aston Villa are the only side to hold them goalless this season. Dundee have been very competitive to start the season, they’ve scored in every game except Celtic away. However, they have conceded in all bar one game as well. There’s a decent chance of goals from both sides in this one, but Hibs should run out on top.

Kilmarnock-St Mirren St Mirren have been the surprise package of the season to date. Alongside Celtic they are the only sides to remain unbeaten through 6 games and have looked good value for it. Kilmarnock on the other hand started the season off in promising fashion, but are winless in 5 in all competitions. Whilst Kilmarnock have been a strong home side over the last year or so, I think St Mirren will take at least point from this one, quite possibly all three.

Rangers-Aberdeen Aberdeen earned their first win of the league season with an excellent 4-0 win over Ross County last weekend. A repeat probably isn’t on the cards as the travel to Ibrox to face Rangers this weekend. Before that both sides are in action in the Viaplay Cup in midweek, so look out for rotation from both sides. Regardless, I would expect Rangers to win this one but probably not in a high scoring affair. Rangers have only scored more than 2 goals once this season and Aberdeen’s 4 last weekend were the only time they managed 3+ as well.

Ross County-Hearts A midweek win in the Viaplay Cup has eased a little of the pressure for Hearts’ manager Steven Naismith. However, results do need to improve in the Premiership as well and this weekend’s trip to Dingwall won’t be an easy one. Ross County did take a beating last weekend, but otherwise they have been a really solid team this season. Hearts games have been low scoring affairs so far this season, they have scored just 4 goals less than everyone but St Johnstone. On the other hand they have only conceded 3, with Rangers the only side to concede fewer. So, I’d guess it’s a low scoring game, with the edge going to Ross County.

St Johnstone-Livingston This feels like a crucial game for St Johnstone. After they host Livingston this weekend, the fixtures look tough for the next few weeks. If they can’t get a win here, there’s a real chance St Johnstone could be cut adrift at the foot of the table. Livingston will be coming into this game after facing Celtic last weekend and Rangers in the Viaplay Cup midweek. So if there’s a time to face them, this is probably it after two tough fixtures. St Johnstone have scored just two league goals so far this season but do face a Livingston team that have conceded 7 in 3 away league games. I imagine this game is going to be short of quality and I wouldn’t expect many goals.

Goalkeepers

Ross Laidlaw, Ross County – Ross County have looked competitive for the most part to start the season and have kept 2 clean sheets so far. Hosting a Hearts side that has scored just 4 goals this season, seems like a decent bet for number 3. Ross Laidlaw is pretty affordable at 43 points and is more than capable of outscoring that with AA if he does concede. It’s certainly hard to see Hearts scoring 3+, so I think at worst Laidlaw should get you a score in the high 30s.

Shamal George*, Livingston – Livingston away is not typically something I would target, but against the lowest scoring side in the Premiership it’s worth a go this week. Shamal George comes in at a very cheap 31 points against the cap. When Livi concede less than 3 he is usually good for a small positive AA score. Like with Hearts, it’s tough to see St Johnstone scoring 3+ so George should be decent value. At his price point, it doesn’t matter too much if he isn’t.

Other Thoughts: It’s a bit of a tough week for goalkeepers otherwise, Joe Hart* is the only one I’d want to consider even then I’d be trying to avoid. Kelle Roos is obviously one to avoid against Aberdeen. Whilst both keepers in the Hibs game could concede multiple goals.

Defenders

Rocky Bushiri, Hibernian – Rocky Bushiri looks to be one of the favoured centre backs under new manager, Nick Montgomery. His L15 is down at 36 points after a few sub appearances under the previous manager. However, if you look at his performances in starts over the last year he has averaged 43 points per game. Against Dundee, Bushiri might not get the clean sheet points but he should be able to record a positive AA score in a game Hibs should have more of the ball.

Andrew Considine*, St Johnstone – Andy Considine and St Johnstone have perhaps their best chance at a good result this week. He’s another cheap option at 39 points with plenty of potential to outperform that. Considine has scored 48+ points in 3 of 5 games so far this season and has shown the potential for more in the past. Last season he topped the 70 point mark twice with AA alone.

Other Thoughts: Marcus Fraser has been performing pretty well for St Mirren this season. Jack Baldwin is capable of some pretty big AA scores for Ross County.

Midfielders

Joe Newell*, Hibernian – Newell was in this spot last week and duly delivered with an excellent 96 point score against St Johnstone. Whilst expecting a 90+ score again this weekend is pretty optimistic, he can still score well against Dundee. Newell comes in at 52 points against the cap, so he’s not a cheap option by any means. However, his role as the set piece taker for Hibs gives him plenty of opportunities to score AA and decisive points. Against a Dundee side that has only kept one clean sheet so far, there sure to be opportunities for Newell again this weekend.

Matty Kennedy*, Kilmarnock – Summer signing, Matty Kennedy, has been ever present for Kilmarnock so far this year. He’s played predominantly on the left wing, but has yet to record a goal involvement in the Premiership. However, when Kilmarnock play at home, Kennedy has scored at 45.70 points in every game. At least a minor return on his 43 point cost against the cap. Whilst the game against St Mirren isn’t the easiest one, but Kennedy should still provide value this weekend.

Other Thoughts: Greg Kiltie is a really nice option playing as a centre forward for Saint Mirren. Kilmarnock’s Daniel Armstrong* is usually a good bet in home games. Beni Baningime* started last weekend for Hearts, if he does again this weekend he should outscore 36 points.

Forwards

Joel Nouble, Livingston – As mentioned above Livingston away is not usually a team I want to be focusing on. But, St Johnstone have been so poor this season I like Joel Nouble this weekend. Nouble plays as an attacking midfielder for Livingston and can put up some decent AA scores in strong match-ups. His L15 cost is 44 and while he can outscore that with AA alone, he’ll need a decisive to get into the 60’s.

Martin Boyle, Hibernian – Martin Boyle is another repeat Hibernian players in this article. There was no decisive for Boyle last weekend, as no-one could convert his 5 attempted assists and 2 big chances created. But 24.10 AA points got him very close to the 60 point mark anyway. Hosting Dundee, Hibs should again dominate the game and give Boyle plenty of chances to create chances this weekend. His L15 is 51 points this week and I like his chances to break the 60 points mark in this one.

Other Thoughts: If you can pick the St Johnstone forward that starts they’re worth a go against Livingston. I’d play both Sam Lammers and Cyril Dessers from Rangers if I had them. Either of the Ross County forward pair, Simon Murray and Jordan White, could be worth a punt.

My Cap 240 Line-Up

Starting off this weeks line-up is Shamal George in goal. Like I mentioned above he’s a cheap option that shouldn’t perform too poorly regardless. If he can keep a clean sheet he’ll obviously go along way toward hitting the threshold.

Using some of the cap savings from George, I’ve paid up for Jelle Bataille of Antwerp in defence. He’s an excellent defender for the Belgian champions and has seen his L15 brought down by some poor performances in the Champions League. He’s scored 60+ more often than not this season and comes in at 55 against the cap.

Joe Newell is another player I covered earlier, he’s a no brainer this week. He generally scores really well when Hibs play at home and they have a great match-up to boot this weekend.

The final two are a bit less certain and may well change before the weekend. I like Jose Cifuentes if he starts for Rangers, but he did play in the Viaplay Cup during the week. It’s a weak opponent for Sam Larsson, but he hasn’t done a lot recently and he’s playing away from home. I’d like to have a forward I’m more confident in for sure.

GW #409 Recap

The first weekend of the Capped Mode with bonuses and I got the threshold, a but of a rare occurrence so far this season.

Joe Newell was the obvious star of the show with his 96 point score. Having him captained got be a fair way towards the 280 point mark on his own. Fellow Joe, Joe Shaughnessy, also performed well after creating a goal for Dundee in their 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock.

There wasn’t much to write home about otherwise. Trevor Carson didn’t do much in the way of AA after conceding two goals. His teammate Luke McCowan didn’t create much going forward which was a bit of a disappointment. Finally there wasn’t a lot to write home about for Sam Larsson either as he failed to attempt and assist or a shot on target .

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