Rangers and Aberdeen play for the first trophy of the season in the Viaplay Cup Final this weekend. So, we’ve got 5 games in the Scottish Premiership this weekend all being played at 3pm on Saturday. Apart from the games there are also some changes to the Capped competitions to be aware of starting this weekend.

Sorare are trialling a new Limited Cap 270 Reward Box competition, which will run in addition to the regular three capped competition. This competition offers reward boxes with random prizes including cards and level-up boosts. Most importantly, for the 4 game weeks card rewards have been removed from Limited Cap 240 to be used in the Reward Box competition. In terms of line-up building it means we don’t want to be chasing peak scores in Limited Cap 240 – hitting 280 points is the only thing that matters.

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-Hearts It was a shock defeat for Celtic away to Kilmarnock last weekend. It’s pretty fair to say that result has been coming over the last few weeks, but hopefully it’s the wake up call the team needs. A game against Hearts isn’t the easiest game to bounce back in. The Edinburgh side has been tough to break down all season, although they haven’t offered too much going forward. I’m not expecting a lot of goals in this one, but Celtic should run out narrow winners. The interesting question is who will start for the Champions. Rodgers has started rotating more over the last couple of weeks and should start to getting some core players back from injuries in the coming weeks.

Livingston-Kilmarnock Livingston are 5 points adrift at the bottom of the Premiership. They do have games in hand over the sides above them, but their recent form has been abysmal. Livingston have lost 7 in a row since beating Motherwell at the start of October and haven’t scored in the last 6 games. On the other Kilmarnock earned a huge win against Celtic on Sunday and look good for a spot in the top half on current form. However, they have earned the majority of their points at home, on the road they have just one win in 8 games. Kilmarnock should be able to get something from this one, quite possibly their second away win of the year. However, I do think it will be another low scoring game.

Ross County-Dundee This might be the most interesting game of the week as newly promoted Dundee travel to Dingwall to play Ross County, who were a whisker away from relegation last year. Ross County are unbeaten in their last three at home and haven’t conceded a goal over that period. Dundee haven’t won in their last three games, but they have at least scored in each. When the two sides faced each other in October it was a hard fought 0-0 draw with both teams having chances to win it. It should be another close game this week, but I think we’ll see goals for both sides this time around.

St Mirren-Motherwell St Mirren earned a much need win against Ross County at the weekend. It took them back up to 3rd in the league and snapped a 3 game losing streak. Motherwell continue to struggle, it took a 90th minute equaliser to earn a point at home to St Johnstone on Saturday. It’s hard to see their fortunes changing this week. It’s pretty fair to ask how long Stuart Kettlewell have to turn it around. Could a loss in Paisley this weekend be the catalyst for change in Motherwell?

St Johnstone-Hibernian Hibs have been playing pretty well recently – they’ve even tightened up a bit defensively. They’ve kept three clean sheets in their last 5 games but may find it tricky to keep another against St Johnstone this weekend. St Johnstone have looked a lot better since Craig Levein has taken over, particularly at home. On their home turf, St Johnstone have only lost to Celtic in their last 5 games and have scored in all of them. I think St Johnstone could surprise in this one and earn a point against a stronger Hibs side.

Goalkeepers

Will Dennis, Kilmarnock – Bournemouth loanee Will Dennis has been ever present for Kilmarnock this season and managed 6 clean sheets in 17 Premiership games. Despite being away from home, I think Kilmarnock have the best shot at a clean sheet of any side this week. Livingston haven’t scored in their last 6 and have only managed 3 goals in 7 home games this season. Dennis won’t do much for you if he doesn’t get the decisive, but it’s next to impossible to see Livingston scoring three and tanking a line-up.

Shamal George, Livingston – Shamal George probably doesn’t have a great chance at a clean sheet – he’s only managed two this season – but he is cheap! Kilmarnock don’t score much away from home, so hopefully he can avoid the negative decisive for 3 goals conceded. Shamal George comes in at 34 points against the cap and he should get you somewhere between 30 and 45 if he can concede 2 or less. There’s potential for some small value there, and a good chance he doesn’t kill a line-up

Other Thoughts: Joe Hart* is worth considering against Hearts and is a bit cheaper than usual at 48 points. Liam Kelly* is cheap but he has a habit of conceding 3+ recently. Motherwell have failed to score in three of 5 road games, so Zach Hemming could keep a second clean sheet in a row.

Defenders

James Penrice, Livingston – Despite having defender cards on Sorare, James Penrice has been playing as a left midfielder for Livingston. He has been putting up some solid AA scores in recent weeks particularly through attacking actions. At home to Kilmarnock you would expect Livingston to be in the game and allow Penrice opportunities to get forward. Like the rest of the Livingston side, there isn’t much in the way of decisives for Penrice but he should be able to provide plenty of value on a 44 point cost.

Richard Taylor, St Mirren – Richard Taylor plays as part of a back three for St Mirren. He’s capable of putting up solid AA scores at times, although he isn’t massively consistent. When he has succeeded he has generally done it by earning plenty of points through passing. Against Motherwell at home, St Mirren should see plenty of the ball and give Taylor a chance to build another strong AA score. He costs 42 points against the cap, so he doesn’t need to do an awful lot to provide a positive return.

Other Thoughts: Like the last couple of weeks, I also like Scott Tanser* in the St Mirren defence. Stephen Welsh* started for Celtic midweek, if Carter-Vickers isn’t back he would be a great value option. Liam Gordon has been scoring well for St Johnstone recently, even when they do concede.

Midfielders

Mark O’Hara, St Mirren – The St Mirren captain, Mark O’Hara, hasn’t had the best of seasons to date. However, he has plenty of history of scoring well on Sorare. It means he’s pretty cheap by his standards at the moment (43 point L15). One of the big draws for O’Hara is that he takes penalties, so get’s that extra decisive potential. He can also put up some strong AA scores, although he hasn’t done much of that this season. You can’t bank on a penalty, but I do like O’Hara’s chances of putting up a good AA score this week.

Yan Dhanda, Ross County – Yan Dhanda plays as a central attacking midfielder for Ross County. It’s a role that typically leads to strong AA scores on Sorare, which Dhanda can provide, but really we’re looking for a decisive here. When he starts at home Dhanda is averaging just under a decisive every other game. Dundee have conceded multiple goals in 5 of 7 away games this season, so there will be opportunities for Ross County. At 41 points Yan Dhanda is a steal this week and can surpass that score without a decisive.

Other Thoughts: I usually prefer Daniel Armstrong* in home games, but against Livingston is a good spot even away from home. The same is true of Joe Newell* against St Johnstone. On the other side of the game, I like Graham Carey to have a nice game this week.

Forwards

Kyle Vassell, Kilmarnock – Kilmarnock’s number 9 looked to be in great form before suffering an ankle injury at the start of November. Since then the goals have dried up for Kyle Vassell, but a game against Livingston will be a great opportunity to get them flowing again. When two sides played at Rugby Park in October Vassell scored a brace in a 3-1 Kilmarnock victory. At 41 points Vassell won’t break the bank, but he also won’t help you out much without getting a decisive.

Martin Boyle, Hibernian – Martin Boyle has been really solid for Hibs since returning from an ACL injury this season. Boyle hasn’t had much AA scoring recently, but showed earlier in the season he can top his 49 point cost without a decisive. Still his best chance of a good score is to get a decisive. There’s plenty of threat in the Hibs attack and against St Johnstone’s shaky defence it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them score multiple goals. Boyle splits set-pieces for Hibs, so he’s got as good a chance as anyone to be involved in one.

Other Thoughts: Either of Ross County’s two forwards are worth considering. Daizen Maeda* could be back for Celtic, but I’d expect from the bench if anything. I think it could be a game for Oh to lead the line for Celtic as Kyogo* played mid-week – I’d rather avoid the DNP risk with both if you can.

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.