Scottish Premiership GW#445 Capped Mode Preview

After what feels like an age, the Scottish Premiership returns from the winter break! There were a couple of game on during the week, but game week 445 is the first time we get all 12 teams back in action. It’s a pretty nice set of games for Capped competitions with some great value options at all price points. However, there are some banana skins to look out for, there has been a fair but of action in the transfer window and there are a few players away at either AFCON or the Asian Cup. Without further ado lets check out what we have in store.

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

Goalkeepers

Joe Hart*, Celtic – Joe Hart is the obvious goalkeeper choice this weekend. Celtic play at home and face a Ross County side that haven’t scored in 4 of their last 5 in all competitions. Hart isn’t too bad a price either at 49 points against the cap and should have a great chance at getting a clean sheet. Hart very rarely gets into double digit AA in Premiership games so he’ll most likely need a clean sheet to provide solid value.

Trevor Carson*, Dundee – Trevor Carson and Dundee haven’t been the safest defence on the road. Over their past 5 Dundee have conceded multiple goals in 4. However, they did all come against sides in the top of the league. In the remaining game they faced 11th placed Ross County and kept a clean sheet. This week they face the only team to have scored less goals at home than Ross County in Livingston. Over 10 home games, Livingston have managed to score just 4 goals and key forward Joel Nouble looks to be on the way to England. At 41 points Carson won’t kill you either way and has a decent chance at a clean sheet this weekend.

Other Thoughts: It’s a pretty strong set of fixtures for Premiership goalkeepers this weekend! Both keepers in St Johnstone-Motherwell game are worth considering, Liam Kelly* is the cheaper option but I’d favour Dimitar Mitov if you have the option. Zander Clark looks to still be the Hearts’ starter in the Premiership despite Craig Gordon* starting the cup last weekend. He should have a decent chance at a clean sheet against Aberdeen.

Defenders

Liam Gordon, St Johnstone – Up until Wednesday nights game against Aberdeen, Gordon had been on a nice run of AA scoring recently. Even with that, Gordon has put up double digit AA scores in 5 of his last 7 games. St Johnstone have a great chance at a clean sheet this weekend against Motherwell who had their top forward, Mika Bierith, recalled from loan during the winter break. With that in mind, Gordon should have a great chance at topping 10 AA points again which would provide a bit of value on his 44 point cost.

~~Greg Taylor, Celtic~~ – Greg Taylor is going to be out a few weeks according to Brendan Rodgers. At this point it’s unclear whether Liam Scales will move out to left back or whether out of favour Alexandro Bernabei will step-in. One to avoid until there’s more clarity.

Other Thoughts: Andy Considine* returned to the starting line-up for St Johnstone and has the potential for peak scores. Hearts’ Craig Halkett has looked like a really solid AA scorer since returning to starting XI. It’s hard to play Joe Shaughnessy* at 57 points, but Jordan McGhee offers a cheaper way to access the Dundee defence.

Midfielders

Daniel Armstrong*, Kilmarnock – Back to one of my favourite capped mode cards in Kilmarnock’s Danny Armstrong. He is a pricey option at 54 points, especially for Cap 220, but Armstrong has great potential in home games. Armstrong is averaging two decisives in every 3 games when he plays at home and adds just under 10 AA points a game to that. Against Hibs, there should be plenty of chances for Kilmarnock to get on the board and with Armstrong having a monopoly on all set pieces he’s the best of anyone to be involved.

Jason Holt*, Livingston – At first glance Jason Holt isn’t a very exciting option playing for bottom of the table Livingston. He hasn’t recorded a decisive in the past year and has an L15 of 43. However, when Holt starts at home he’s put up an average of 48 points over the last year and met or exceeded 43 points in 10 of 13 games. Against a poor away side in Dundee, Holt should be able to put up another solid score this weekend and provide solid value in the hunt for a threshold. There’s no realistic upside there, so I’d only consider him for Cap 240.

Other Thoughts: You’d rather have him at home, but Luke McCowan* should have a good game against Livingston if he’s healthy. Beni Baningime* went off injured on Tuesday for Hearts, Calem Nieuwenhof is an interesting cheap option although he doesn’t put up consistent AA scores.

Forwards

Kyogo Furuhashi*, Celtic – What’s not to like with Kyogo? He’s super cheap, a nailed on starter for the best team in the league and has a great match-up this week. He’s not had the best season under Brendan Rodgers, but Kyogo is getting in the right positions. He’s missed 10 big chances over the last 15 games so the opportunities are there for him. We’ll need him to get one as well, despite an L15 of 39 Kyogo remains entirely decisive dependant.

Kyle Vassell, Kilmarnock – Kyle Vassell hasn’t been in the best of form in recent months, but that does mean he’s very cheap at 39 points against the cap. Whilst Vassell hasn’t been scoring, Kilmarnock have in home games, so there are chances being created. Against one of the worst away defences in the league this is as good a chance as any to get his first goal since the start of November.

Other Thoughts: Daizen Maeda* is at the Asian Cup, but Liel Abada should start for Celtic this weekend. Curtis Main has joined Dundee, although he didn’t start in midweek, Amadou Bakayoko is the safer option up front.