It’s been an eventful week in Scottish football. Rangers took the first silverware of the season as they beat Aberdeen 1-0 in the Viaplay Cup final. Following that they beat St Johnstone at Ibrox on Wednesday night to close the gap at the top of the table to 2 points. Given recent performances it’s fair to question whether Rangers should be the favourites for the title. Celtic are currently narrow betting favourites according to Bet365. But, Rangers have been excellent under Phillipe Clement and would take the lead if they can win their game in hand.

With that in mind, it’s a big weekend for Celtic to get back to winning ways after back-to-back losses. There are also big games in the fight for third place and in the tightly contested bottom half of the table. Finally it’s the beginning of the hectic Christmas period with most sides playing in each of the next 4 game weeks. With that much congestion there is sure to be rotation, but hopefully we can find some Sorare value picks that are safe starters!

In the interest of openness, I do own cards of 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-Livingston A 2-0 defeat to Hearts means Celtic have suffered back-to-back losses in the Premiership for the first time since 2013! Between conceding too many goals and failing to get Kyogo involved up front, Celtic have their issues at both ends of the field. This week’s game against Livingston is the perfect chance to get right on both fronts. Livingston did manage a solid draw last weekend but remain without a win since early October. Celtic should get back on track here, but there is a bit more risk than normal with them.

Dundee-Aberdeen Dundee ended a three-game winless streak with a great 1-0 away win against Ross County last weekend. It takes them 5 points above 11th placed Motherwell with 2 games in hand. It looks like a weekend Dundee can extend that lead playing against Aberdeen. After losing the Viaplay Cup Final the Dons managed a win at home to Livingston on Wednesday evening, but they did make hard work of it. They haven’t looked great all year and have conceded over two goals a game away from home. Dundee should be good for at least a share of the spoils in this one and possibly all three!

Hearts-St Mirren 3rd hosts 4th in the pick of the weekend’s games. Hearts come into the game leading St Mirren on goal difference. Come 5pm, there’s a great chance Hearts will be remain in third place. St Mirren have failed to score in their last 4 away games, whilst Hearts have the stingiest defence outside of the Old Firm. They aren’t exactly free scoring but I think they should be able to grind out a narrow win at home this weekend.

Kilmarnock-St Johnstone It looks to be a one-sided affair between Kilmarnock and St Johnstone this weekend. Kilmarnock are a really strong home side and have conceded just 7 in 9 games at Rugby Park this season. On the other hand, St Johnstone are winless away from home and have scored just one goal in 8 away games. This should be an easy home victory for Kilmarnock and we should see some strong Sorare scores from their key players.

Ross County-Hibernian Ross County face Hibs in the last of the Saturday games. Ross County have been pretty solid at home, conceding less than a goal a game so far this season. However, they’re coming up against one of the league’s most potent attacks in Hibernian. Hibs are the highest scoring side outside of the Old Firm and have managed 13 in 8 away games this year. However they do have well documented defensive frailties. I think we could see an exciting game in Dingwall this week and most likely goals for both sides.

Motherwell-Rangers Motherwell remain winless since early September, but they are slowly heading in the right direction. The Well have drawn 4 of their last 5 games to keep themselves in touching distance of safety. However, a visit from Rangers doesn’t look to be a game where they will break their duck. Rangers have been fantastic domestically since Philippe Clement took charge and they should be able to pick up another win on Christmas Eve. However, I think we could see goals from both sides. Motherwell have been really prolific at home scoring 15 in 8 games at Fir Park. If only they could tighten up defensively!

Goalkeepers

Will Dennis, Kilmarnock – Will Dennis has kept three clean sheets in his last 5 games and has a great chance at adding a 4th against St Johnstone this weekend. Despite some strong recent performance Dennis is still pretty affordable in Capped Mode at 46 points. However, Dennis will need to keep a clean sheet to provide a positive return, he struggles to put up much AA unless he’s playing the Old Firm sides. Fortunately, St Johnstone have scored in just one of eight away games so the odds are very much on his side.

Zander Clark, Hearts – Despite Craig Gordon returning from injury Zander Clark remains the starting goalkeeper in Tynecastle. He’s been pretty good for Hearts this season having kept 8 clean sheets in 17 Premiership games. Given St Mirren have struggled for goals on their travels recently, this is a great chance for Clark to keep his ninth. He’s pretty affordable against the cap at 44 points, but he most likely needs a clean sheet to get past that mark.

Other Thoughts: Joe Hart* is solid value after Celtic’s recent struggles, but he is hard to trust right now. Otherwise there aren’t any obvious options this week. Dundee’s Trevor Carson* is worth a look against Aberdeen as is Zach Hemming against Hearts. After that I’d avoid if you can.

Defenders

Lewis Mayo*, Kilmarnock – When Kilmarnock keep a clean sheet, Lewis Mayo is usually good for 50+ points. As mentioned above they have a great chance at keeping one this week. Mayo is 47 points against the cap this week, so he should provide some value. He doesn’t get many decisive but he is capable of 60+ with just AA scoring, giving him a bit of upside as well.

Will Nightingale, Ross County – Will Nightingale is very much a budget option at 37 points against the cap. Obviously this means he comes with some risk, but when you dig a bit deeper I actually think he’s a pretty safe choice. Nightingale’s L15 is brought down by a couple of sub appearance and some poor away form. If we look at just home games where Nightingale starts, he has scored 41+ in 5 of 6 games. In the 6th game, Nightingale was sent off and put up a 16 point score. If he can avoid a negative decisive, Nightingale should be able to get into the mid 40s to early 50s this week.

Other Thoughts: Nathaniel Atkinson* is a bit of a DNP risk, but if he does play he’s great value. Alongside Mayo, Corrie Ndaba is an interesting choice for Kilmarnock. He’s currently playing as left winger. Jordan McGhee is worth a look in the Dundee defence if you need a budget option.

Midfielders

Beni Baningime*, Hearts – Since returning from injury Beni Baningime has re-established himself as a key starter in the Hearts midfield. Beni can put up some excellent AA scores on his day. Baningime is current 45 points against the cap and has outscored that in 4 of his last 6. In the two games he didn’t hit 45 points he came really close, managing 43.9 and 44.5 points. I don’t see his situation changing this week against St Mirren. Baningime offers a really reliable floor as well as the ability to get into the 60s or 70s with either AA or a decisive.

Luke McCowan*, Dundee – Luke McCowan isn’t the obvious value play he was earlier in the season, but he should be a good option against Aberdeen this weekend. McCowan is 55 points against the cap, so he’s a significant investment in any Capped competition. However, he can put up monster AA scores and has 4 goal involvements this season. I think there’ll be goals for Dundee this weekend and McCowan should be involved heavily both going forward and defending.

Other Thoughts: Daniel Armstrong* is another great expensive option in the midfield – he would be an ideal captain pick. Yan Dhanda is very cheap in the Ross County midfield and worth a look in a nice match-up. Hibs should have Joe Newell* back in the centre of midfield this week.

Forwards

Jordan White, Ross County – Ross County’s Jordan White is very much a decisive dependant option up front. Without a goal or assist, he’s likely going to get you 35 or less points. However, he does come very cheap right now at 37 points. This week Ross County play the leagues worst defence away from home in Hibernian, so I would expect to see goals in the game. Even if White can’t get a goal, at his price you should be able to cover for his lack of production elsewhere in Cap 240.

Kyogo Furuhashi*, Celtic – It’s been a rough couple of months for Kyogo. Under Brendan Rodgers there has been a lot less opportunities in front of goal. It does means he’s a very affordable 41 points this week but it’s not without risk. Kyogo is pretty decisive dependant and hasn’t been getting the goals in recent weeks. However against Livingston Celtic should have no issues creating chances, hopefully Kyogo can be the man to convert one!

Other Thoughts: After playing from the bench last weekend Daizen Maeda* could start for Celtic. Amadou Bakayoko is a solid decisive-dependant option in the Dundee attack. Alongside Jordan White, Simon Murray is also worth considering from Ross County. Kilmarnock’s Kyle Vassell could be online for a goal this weekend.

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.