Over the international break we lost our fourth manager of the year in the Scottish Premiership. Ross County parted ways with Malky Mackay and replaced him with Derek Adams, back for his third spell in charge. So there is definitely some uncertainty picking Ross County players. We also have some question marks over players returning from international duty this weekend and some new injuries to keep an eye on. Let’s take a look through the safer options who should score well for you in 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 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.

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.

The Games

Celtic-Motherwell Celtic come back from the break to host a struggling Motherwell side on Saturday. Motherwell haven’t won in their last 9 games, so it’s hard to see anything but a routine Celtic victory. Motherwell haven’t scored in 3 of their last 4 away games, so a win to nil seems the most likely result. It’s obviously a week to avoid Motherwell players but there should be plenty of value on the Celtic side.

Dundee-Hibernian Newly promoted Dundee have made a really solid start to the season and find themselves 7 points clear of relegation after 12 games. They might not have been the most free scoring, but they have been very solid at the back keeping clean sheets in five of their last six. Hibs have found a little more defensive stability under Nick Montgomery, but they are still conceding plenty and look a little less potent going forwards. Dundee definitely have the advantage in this one, and I can’t really see them losing.

Hearts-St Johnstone Outside of games against the Old Firm, Hearts have found their feet after a tough start to the season. Ignoring games against Rangers and Celtic, they have lost just once to St Mirren since mid-September. Over that period they’ve won five games, including 3 to nil. They’re opponents, St Johnstone have also improved in recent weeks. Since changing managers at the start of November, they have won 2 and drawn 1. However, they have lost striker Nicky Clark in their last game. With Hearts’ strong defence, I think they’ll be able to grind out a narrow win in this game.

Ross County-Kilmarnock Both Ross County and Kilmarnock started the season brightly but struggled through September. Whilst Kilmarnock have come out the other side and sit in 6th, Ross County sit in 11th tied on points with bottom of the table Livingston. Kilmarnock are picking up points regularly but it’s mostly coming at home as they remain without a win on the road. It looks like it should be a close game here, and quite possibly a draw.

St Mirren-Livingston After starting the season strong, Saint Mirren have had a bit of a wobble over the last couple of months. But they’ll be expecting to get back on track this week against Livingston. Livi also started the year reasonably well, but have lost 5 straight and find themselves bottom of the table. Livingston also haven’t scored in four games so it’s hard to see a lot of positives for them this week. It’s an obvious week for St Mirren players, especially at the back. However, Livingston haven’t really been blown away recently, so the upside for the forwards might be a little lower than you’d hope.

Aberdeen-Rangers The weekend finishes up with Aberdeen hosting Rangers. In their last meeting, the Dons managed a shock 3-1 win at Ibrox in what was Michael Beale’s final game in charge of Rangers. Since Phillipe Clement took charge Rangers have been almost perfect with a 0-0 draw away to Sparta Prague the only blemish. It should be a close game and most likely one with goals from both sides.

Goalkeepers

Zach Hemming, St Mirren – Zach Hemming is the obvious value pick in goal this week. Hosting a Livingston side that struggle to score, St Mirren have a great chance at a clean sheet. Hemming costs a very reasonable 45 points against the cap, so there’s plenty of upside with a clean sheet. If he does concede it’s really hard to see Livingston scoring more than one goal – so he should have a pretty reliable floor of 35+ points. Whatever happens in the game, he shouldn’t kill your line-up this week.

Zander Clark, Hearts – Craig Gordon has been starting to get game time in closed door friendlies and may take the starting role at some point. But, Zander Clark should be the Hearts starter for a couple more game weeks at least. Clark has conceded just 6 goals in the 10 games against non-Old Firm sides, so against St Johnstone the upside is pretty obvious. He’s pretty cheap against the cap at 40 points. But with that comes a bit lower a floor than Zach Hemming. With a single goal conceded, we could see Clark drop below the 30 point mark.

Other Thoughts: It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see either keeper keep a clean sheet in the Ross County – Kilmarnock game. As usual, Joe Hart* has a decent chance at a clean sheet. Hibs have been solid going forward for the most part, but it’s tough to go away from Trevor Carson* on recent form.

Defenders

Scott Tanser*, St Mirren – Scott Tanser is a really nice budget option from St Mirren in the right spot. He plays as a left wing back and can put up some decent AA scores in good match-ups. He has some extra potential this week with regular set-piece taker Ryan Stain out with a groin injury. Tanser should take some set pieces and increase his chances of adding a decisive this week. Either way Tanser is very capable of scoring in the high 40s or 50s when St Mirren control a game.

Alexander Cochrane*, Hearts – He might have burned me just before the international break, but I’m going back to Alex Cochrane again this week. Last time out he conceded his second penalty in four games against Motherwell, ruining what otherwise would have been a clean sheet in the process. The match-up against St Johnstone is obviously a good one, and Cochrane is more than capable of putting up big scores via AA or decisives. If he can avoid giving away another penalty he should provide plenty of value at 32 points against the cap.

Other Thoughts: After a few clean sheets the Dundee defenders are mostly getting pretty expensive for Capped Mode. Richard Taylor is another strong budget option in the St Mirren defence. There’s plenty of low cost options available in the Ross County defence, Kilmarnock not scoring away wouldn’t be a huge surprise. It sounds like Alistair Johnson* is doubtful for Celtic as he travels back from international duty with Canada.

Midfielders

Yan Dhanda, Ross County – If Ross County are going to get anything going against Kilmarnock, Yan Dhanda will likely be involved with it. Despite the manager change, Dhanda should be a safe option. The forward thinking midfielder has the benefit of taking just about all set-pieces for the club including penalties. He’s not a huge AA scorer, so we are looking for a decisive to provide value on a 47 point cap hit. Against Kilmarnock there should be opportunities if Ross County can make them count.

Malachi Boateng, Dundee – A different option in the Dundee midfield this week. Boateng has played the majority of games for Dundee has put up some reasonable AA scores this season. He costs 42 against the cap overall, but at home Boateng is averaging 47 points and has only failed to 42 in one game (his only non-start of the season so far). So Boateng has a pretty realistic floor of 42 points and the potential to get into the high 50s without a decisive.

Other Thoughts: In the Hearts midfield I love Beni Baningime* at 39 points against the cap. Mark O’Hara should be back this week and takes penalties for St Mirren. Alongside Boateng, Luke McCowan* remains a strong option in the Dundee midfield.

Forwards

Kyogo Furuhashi*, Celtic – Kyogo is a bit of an injury risk at this point in the week, but if he plays he’s an obvious choice. Kyogo went off with a head injury before the break and Brendan Rodgers has been pretty quiet on his status so far this week. He’s one to monitor up to the deadline, but he was photographed training today so it’s looking good for him. If he does start getting Celtic’s centre forward for 49 points is an obvious smash spot in just about any home league game.

Amadou Bakayoko, Dundee – Amadou Bakayoko has been in solid form for Dundee this season. He’s had five goal involvements (goals and assists) this season. However if he doesn’t manage to get one, he generally fails to break the 40 point mark. Against Hibernian, there will be chances for Bakayoko to score and alongside Luke McCowan in midfield Bakayoko has the best chance of being involved in one.

Other Thoughts: I’d also be happy with Bakayoko’s strike partner Zak Rudden*, who is also the penalty taker for Dundee. Nicky Clark’s injury may mean a return to the starting XI for Stevie May*. Lawrence Shankland* is expensive but a strong option in the Hearts attack. There’s been plenty of rotation in the Rangers forwards recently, Abdallah Sima seems to be the one player you can trust.

My Cap 240 Line-Up

Coming Soon…

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.