ciao gtognocchi...buona vacanza e buon divertimento
...approfitto del thread per postare le mie antepost:
Hearts (eslusi Celtic e Rangers) @ 2.375 ladbrokes(stake 145 punti)
Morton(2nd division) @ 3.73 netto BF (35)
Gretna(3rd div.) @ 2.10 Chandler (91)
Sono tentato dal giocare i Rangers, dati sfavoriti nella corsa a due, ma ci sto pensando,visto anche il recente acquisto di Camara da parte del Celtic...
Aberdeen
Following the sacking of Steve Paterson, the Dons persuaded Dunfermline's Jimmy Calderwood to make the journey to north to Pittodrie. After enjoying success at Dunfermline, Calderwood faces a mammoth task in turning around the Dons' fortunes. Finishing second bottom last time out, the signs aren't looking good for their once spoilt, now deprived fans. The lack of a goalscorer since the departure of Robbie Winters has been their chief problem and following Scott Booth's departure, the Dons remain very lightweight up front. Stevie Crawford's decision to shun the Dons for a move to Plymouth is a sign of the times at Pittodrie. The enthusiasm of Calderwood should equate to an improved league position but a top six finish looks out of reach.
Prediction - 9th
Celtic
The Bhoys cruised to the domestic double last year and start this season as 1/3 favourites to retain their SPL crown. The key to their success this season is how they deal with the loss of a certain Mr Larsson. With Wolves striker Henri Camara signed as his replacement, the void on the teamsheet shall at least be filled if nothing else. However, Larsson had a supreme talent of saving Celtic with his goals and even Neil Lennon has admitted that the Bhoys will suffer without him. Hartson and Sutton are of course proven goalscorers but doubts still linger as to whether they can play together. The once formidable Celtic rearguard has been shown up badly in pre-season with the likes of Valgaeren perhaps past their best. With doubts continuing to surround Martin O'Neill's future, Celtic may not have things all their on way this season.
Prediction - 2nd
Dundee
Following the departures of Nacho Novo and Julian Speroni, even darker times days lie ahead for Jim Duffy's men this season. The once cosmopolitan Dark Blues are now made up of mostly young home-grown players and without two shillings to rub together, they'll have to make do with what they have. Duffy will hope that Dundee's very own 'Larsen and Sutton' live up to their near namesakes and terrorise the SPL's defences. With a promising end to last season, the Dark Blues fans will be hoping they can continue to ride through the administration storm without sinking on the pitch. The loss of their two best players is a massive blow for the club on the playing side though and they will struggle badly this season.
Prediction - 12th
Dundee United
The Terrors finished last season impressively, eventually finishing fifth after a terrible start. The departure of Charlie Miller is a bitter blow for United considering their entire gameplan was fundamentally based around him. However in Andy McLaren, Jason Scotland, Colin Samuel, Billy Dodds and James Grady, there is still plenty of attacking flair at Ian McCall's disposal. The loss of goalkeeper Paul Gallacher to Norwich is one McCall wouldn't have chosen but Tony Bullock appears to be an able replacement. With the experience of last season under their belt, United should be capable of maintaining their top six position.
Prediction - 4th
Dunfermline
Davie Hay is the man tasked with taking over the black and white reins following the departure of Jimmy Calderwood to Aberdeen. The loss of top scorer Stevie Crawford to Plymouth coupled with Craig Brewster's waning legs must be a concern for Hay. Their effective partnership has been the catalyst for the Pars' success in recent years and was arguably only second behind Larsson and Sutton last season as being the most effective. The much-maligned plastic pitch at East End Park will of course work in their favour again this season. However, with clubs wiser as to how to play it, the Pars will be hard pushed to match their impressive home record of last season when only Celtic, Rangers and Kilmarnock left with maximum points.
Prediction - 6th
Hearts
The Jambos confirmed their 'best of the rest' tag last season, finishing third for the second consecutive campaign. Craig Levein has added Jamie McAllister, Michael Stewart and Ramon Pereira to his squad and all appear to be excellent additions to the Tynecastle side. In McAllister and Stewart they have two Scotland internationals whilst the signing of Pereira is a gamble but nonetheless one worth taking. Hearts' home form was equal to that of Rangers and Celtic last season and is the key to the their chances again this season. With a relatively kind opening few matches, Hearts may well challenge Celtic and Rangers for the opening months. Inspired by their inspirational captain Steven Pressley and top goalscorer Mark de Vries, Hearts look to set to retain their crown of 'best of the rest' with ease.
Prediction - 3rd
Hibs
Ask the average Hibs fan whether they were sad to see Bobby Williamson go and the reply will most certainly be no. Despite having an array of serious young potential at his disposal, Williamson failed to harness this raw talent which ultimately impressed only in one-off league cup wins over each side of the Old Firm. Step forward Tony Mowbray. A hard task master, he comes from coaching the Ipswich youth side and therefore has plenty of experience with up and coming talent. In Derek Riordan and Gary O'Connor, Hibs have a potential Scotland strike force on their books. Undoubtedly classy in midfield with a fit trio of Brebner, Glass and Murray, Hibs should certainly entertain this season. New signing Guillaume Beuzelin also looks to be a talented addition to the Easter Road side. However the other end is where the problem will lie. Gary Caldwell should shore things up slightly but I'd expect the Hibees to be involved more than a few high scoring encounters.
Prediction - 5th
Inverness CT
After a summer of SPL political nonsense, Inverness CT take their rightful place in Scotland's Premier Division. It marks a remarkable effort for the club who only years ago took their place in the Third Division. Guided by Steve Paterson, they climbed the leagues to the First Division where last season John Robertson completed the job and won promotion to the SPL. As with most newly promoted sides they are a short price (11/10 - totesport) to bounce straight back down. The fact the have been forced to play their home games at Pittodrie certainly won't help their cause. However, Caley have proved they can live with the big boys after a string of successful cup runs in the last few years. The capture of the skilful Juanjo as well as the experienced duo of Darren Dodds and Canadian international Richard Hastings will add some depth to their squad. This should ensure Caley avoid the drop.
Prediction - 11th
Kilmarnock
Killie endured a fairly miserable season last time out and but for Partick being cut adrift, could have been in real danger of going down. Their fragile defence was the chief reason behind this as they conceded 72 goals in just 38 matches, three more than bottom side Partick. Goalkeeper Alan Combe's signature is a step in the right direction but with no other defensive signings, Killie look set to face the same problems again. Gary Wales is a striker with something to prove and as gaffer Jim Jeffries said: "If he can recapture the sort of form that took him to the brink of the Scotland squad, then Kilmarnock fans are in for a real treat". Even still, I can't see him outscoring the departed Gary McSwegan who left for Ross County. Nonetheless, Wales should form a decent partnership with the fit again Craig Dargo. Like Hibernian, Killie should be involved in a few thrillers. However, their defensive frailties will prevent them making a top six place.
Prediction - 10th
Livingston
Life as a Livi fan is a real rollercoaster. Shooting from the Third Division to the SPL, to the UEFA Cup, to administration, to CIS Cup winners, to losing their manager and best players. What will the future bring? Well Derek Lilley has been re-signed (after leaving only weeks before for Plymouth) for a start. The top scorer would have been badly missed and his return could mean an average season rather than a bad one. Also picked up are former Hibs and Norwich striker Mark Libra, Cameroon international Gustave Bahoken and Craig Easton formerly of Dundee United. All will add some valuable experience to Livi's ranks and ensure that Alan Preston's first season in charge ends relatively successfully.
Prediction - 7th
Motherwell
Terry Butcher's young Motherwell side exceeded all expectations last season by finishing in the top six. This was all done without the departed duo of James McFadden and Stephen Pearson. Perhaps playing above themselves, the Steelmen will certainly be exceeding my expectations if they repeat the feat again. Jim Paterson and Brain Kerr have been brought in by Butcher with the latter unfortunately sustaining a serious knee injury which will leave him sidelined for some time. In David Clarkson they appear to have run off another talent from the Motherwell conveyor belt. The second season is inevitably one in which he may struggle however and without his goals, 'Well will find it hard going. Butcher has done a great job in translating his young side's aggression into achieving results though and these battling qualities should ensure SPL safety.
Prediction - 8th
Rangers
Last but by no mean least are Rangers. Alex McLeish's side suffered a miserable time last season, finishing trophyless. What made it worse was of course Celtic's procession to the double. The result? Massive changes. Gone are the De Boer twins, Christina Nerlinger, Artur Numan and Egil Ostenstaad. In has come Jean-Alain Boumsong, Nacho Novo, Dado Prso, Dragan Mladenovic and Alex Rae. Impressive captures indeed. Rae is arguably the most important signing, providing a driving force badly missed since Barry Ferguson's departure. What's more, the partnership of Prso and Novo has looked particularly impressive pre-season. In Novo they have a man who has proved he can score goals regularly in the SPL, having netted on 16 occasions last term in a struggling Dundee side. With Prso alongside, the young Spaniard looks great value at 9/2 to be top goalscorer. And in a two horse race, Rangers look the value bet for the title at 2/1.
Prediction - 1st
