We head into the final fixtures before the international break down another manager in the Premiership. Michael Beale got his P45 after Rangers lost their third game of the season last weekend. It’s a tough game for them this week, as they travel to St Mirren on Sunday. Between the line-up uncertainty there, and rotation after European games, it’s a tricky week for Capped Mode. Forward in particular looks short of clear options this 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

Celtic-Kilmarnock This week Celtic host a Kilmarnock side who are winless in all competitions since they knocked Celtic out of the Viaplay Cup in August. In fact the only Premiership sides Kilmarnock have beaten are the Old Firm sides. Given there recent form, it’s hard to see Killie repeating there heroics against a Celtic side that are starting to find form under Brendan Rodgers. Celtic won all four of their league games in September, conceding just one goal in the process. I would expect a Celtic win to nil in this game, and most starters will be worth playing anywhere on Sorare. Kilmarnock players will be ones to avoid for sure.

Dundee-Ross County Last weekend Trevor Carson was the hero for Dundee as he made a whopping 9 saves to keep a clean sheet against Hibernian. He’ll be hoping to have less to do this weekend as the Dees host Ross County. Ross County had started the season well, but have lost their last two games to nil against Aberdeen and Hearts. Neither side has been particularly high scoring so far this season, so I wouldn’t expect a shoot-out this weekend. It looks to be a close game, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see either team come away with a one goal victory.

Hearts-Hibernian The first Edinburgh derby takes place at Tynecastle on Saturday afternoon. The hosts, Hearts, have started to get their season back on track with 2 wins in their last three Premiership games. However, they weren’t particularly convincing against Ross County and didn’t offer much in a loss to St Mirren two weeks ago. Hibs’ new manager, Nick Montgomery, has had some early success but has also benefited from a nice run of Premiership fixtures. This will be his first in a run of tough fixtures with Rangers and Celtic following the international break. I expect a hard fought derby game that could go either way.

Livingston-Motherwell After a promising start to the season, Motherwell have lost their last three games in the Premiership. In fairness, these have come against the Old Firm and St Mirren and each only by a one goal margin. They might be away from home, but they’ll be hopeful of getting back on track against a goal-shy Livingston side. Livingston haven’t been able to win many games this season but have only lost to Rangers and Celtic, so they won’t be a push over by any means. However, given Motherwell have played really well for the most part this season I think they will manage a narrow victory this weekend.

St Mirren-Rangers Alongside Celtic, St Mirren are one of two unbeaten sides remaining in the Premiership. This will be their toughest test yet even with Rangers recent struggles. Former player Steven Davis will be in charge at Rangers while they search for a permanent appointment. Davis has no prior experience in management, so St Mirren might look at this as a situation they can take advantage of. Given the talent difference Rangers are still likely the favourite, but I think St Mirren can take something against a struggling Rangers side. For Capped Mode, I’ll be staying away from both sides.

Aberdeen-St Johnstone Aberdeen follow up a Europa Conference game against Finnish side HJK with a game against bottom of the table St Johnstone. The Dons will be hopeful of a big win to take into the international break. St Johnstone are the only winless side remaining in the Premiership. They had a lead against Livingston last week, but conceded a penalty and had a late red card to Liam Gordon as well. Aberdeen are playing at home in Europe so won’t have any travel to contend with and even with some rotation they should have too much for St Johnstone.

Goalkeepers

Kelle Roos, Aberdeen – For the foreseeable future, St Johnstone at home will be a match-up target for all positions. For Goalkeepers the chances of a clean sheet won’t be higher in a league match this season. Kelle Roos was pretty expensive at the start of the season, but thanks to Aberdeen’s slow start he’s down to a pretty affordable 47 points.

Liam Kelly*, Motherwell – It’s not been the greatest of starts to the season for Liam Kelly. He has kept just one clean sheet in his 7 league games, but he has also only conceded more than one goal once and that was against Celtic. With Livingston being goal-shy themselves, having only scored 6 goals in 7 games, I like Motherwell’s chances of keeping a clean sheet on the road. Kelly will need that if he’s to outscore his 50 point cost.

Other Thoughts: Dundee’s Trevor Carson* is worth considering against Ross County, as is his opposite number Ross Laidlaw. Joe Hart* is back from suspension this weekend and has a strong shot at a clean sheet. Finally, I’d stay clear from the keepers in the Edinburgh derby although I’d take Zander Clark if I had to pick one.

Defenders

Joe Shaughnessy*, Dundee – Joe Shaughnessy has been excellent since joining Dundee in the summer. Despite playing as a centre back, he’s actually been able to add a decent amount of attacking AA. He generally has penalty area entries over the course of the game and has managed one assist this season as well. His L15 cost has yet to adjust to how he’s playing for Dundee, Shaughnessy costs 45 points at the moment and has topped 47 in 5 of 7 for Dundee. The match-up at home to Ross County should see Dundee having plenty of the ball and give Shaughnessy a chance for another strong performance.

Nicholas Devlin*, Aberdeen – I had high hopes for Nicky Devlin at Aberdeen going into the season, but it’s been pretty disappointing so far. Devlin hasn’t shown the potential for strong AA scores he had at Livingston. He’s only topped 10 AA points once for his new side, but this week is as good a chance as any to do it again. Aberdeen should dominate possession against St Johnstone, hopefully freeing up Devlin to get forward and create. There should be some chance at a goal or assist for Devlin as well, at 42 points he most likely won’t kill a line-up regardless.

Other Thoughts: Paul McGinn* is an expensive option in Motherwell’s defence, but he can score big. Bevis Mugabi is a cheaper option that can score well. Toby Sibbick did well stepping in as right back for Hearts last weekend, he’s pretty cheap after playing from the bench recently.

Midfielders

Lennon Miller, Motherwell – 17 year-old Lennon Miller has been a revelation for Motherwell this season. He’s been ever present in the heart of midfield and has been excellent. In Sorare terms, the scoring has been pretty solid as well, he’s managed 19 or more AA points in 4 of 7 games. Two of his three AA scores under 19 came against the Old Firm, so a strong performance against Livingston feels pretty likely this weekend. He’s also a really nice price at 44 points thanks to playing from the bench at the end of last season.

Luke McCowan*, Dundee – Dundee’s Luke McCowan has been a solid option so far this season. He’s been playing across the midfield and takes some set pieces as well. It all worked out so far, as he’s been a great creative option. Over 7 games he has created 6 big chances, although he’s only managed one assist so far. If he can continue to keep creating at this rate, the decisive actions will definitely follow. At home to Ross County, the opportunities should be there for McCowan to provide value on his 46 point cost regardless of whether he manages a decisive.

Other Thoughts: Alongside Miller, I’d be happy to play Callum Slattery and Blair Spittal in the Motherwell midfield. Jason Holt* has typically been a strong AA scorer when he starts in home games. Jamie McGrath has been in good form for Aberdeen in recent week and should start.

Forwards

Daizen Maeda*, Celtic – Daizen Maeda remains the cap-friendly way to access the Celtic attack. Maeda costs 44 points against the cap, and whilst he isn’t as prolific a scorer as Kyogo he still has plenty of decisive potential. Maeda has shown a bit more AA potential under Brendan Rodgers, but he probably does need a decisive to provide a positive return. There should be plenty of opportunities to earn one against Kilmarnock this weekend.

Lawrence Shankland, Hearts – Lawrence Shankland has gone off the boil in recent weeks. He’s failed to score in the last 5 games, which is a bit of a rarity for Shankland. Hibs have looked a bit more solid defensively since making the manager change, but it has coincided with home games against St Johnstone and Dundee. Even then they allowed 10+ shots to both sides, so I don’t think the defensive is as stable as it’s looked. If Hearts can create some chances, I like Shankland to put them away.

Other Thoughts: It’s tough to know who’s going to start for Aberdeen after playing in the Europa Conference on Thursday night. I’d like to start Bojan Miovski* but I wouldn’t trust him to play. Goals for one of the Hibs forwards would surprise either, I still like Martin Boyle.

My Cap 240 Line-Up

This week I’ve gone with a heavy Dundee focus for my Cap 240 line-up. All three of the players I discussed above, Trevor Carson, Joe Shaughnessy and Luke McCowan make the team. If Dundee can keep a clean sheet that should get me a long way to 280. If they don’t, Shaughnessy and McCowan can still put up strong scores.

Joining them is Daizen Maeda in a strong home match-up for Celtic. He’ll likely need a decisive, but there’ll be plenty of opportunities against Kilmarnock.

Finally, I’ve gone with Isco from Real Betis as a second midfielder and the team captain. Betis have a strong match-up against Alaves, although they are on the road. The one concern is whether Isco is rested after a midweek European tie, so he’ll be one to monitor during the week. If he does start he has a great AA floor and the potential for a decisive in a CAM role.

GW #411 Recap

A second threshold in a row! After a poor start to the season, the new format has been kind to me so far.

Shamal George wasn’t great in goal, but his 33 base score still outperformed his price!

I used some of the cap savings on Jelle Bataille who had a solid day for Antwerp, but sadly not the monster scores he’s capable of.

The midfield pairing of Joe Newell and Jose Cifuentes both did excellently this weekend. I suspect double midfield is the way to go most of the time. Combining a solid AA floor with more decisive potential than defenders should get you to the 280 point mark more often.

Sam Larsson didn’t manage the decisive this weekend, but a solid AA performance helped get the team over the line.

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