For so long, the top of the Scottish Premier League has been made up of the Old Firm duo of Rangers and Celtic but, with the former demoted to the Third Division after their liquidation and subsequent reformation, there will be a new look and fresh feel about the table in 2012-13.

Rangers’ absence offers the likes of Dundee United, Hearts and Aberdeen the chance to push Celtic, while Dundee, who have finally been given the go-ahead to replace Rangers, join their city rivals in the division and are already looking forward to the renewal of the Dundee derby on August 19.

Saturday sees five games taking place with defending champions Celtic’s hosting of Aberdeen in the lunchtime kick-off the highlight.

Celtic v Aberdeen

Neil Lennon, like many SPL managers this summer, has had to work prudently in the transfer market and has only added goalkeeper Fraser Forster to his squad, while several squad players have been moved on.

However, the Bhoys are expected to get off to a perfect start (Celtic 1/4, Aberdeen 10/1, draw 5/1 – 90 minutes betting) and are likely to have too much for  the Dons in the season’s opener. A correct score bet of 2-0 looks tasty in this at 11/2.

Prediction: Home win.

Hearts v St Johnstone

The Tynecastle clash between these two, in contrast, is less clear-cut although the Jambos are favourites to come out on top (Hearts EVS, draw 5/2, St Johnstone 13/5 – 90 minutes odds) and get their campaign off to a winning start.

Last season Hearts finished just two points ahead of the Perth-based club with the duo fifth and sixth in the final standings, so there was little to choose between them across the campaign. Expect this game to be tight as well with a draw at 5/2 worth backing.

Prediction: Draw.

Kilmarnock v Dundee

Dundee (3/1 – 90 minutes betting) have been hoping to get the nod to replace Rangers all summer but the late confirmation of their place in the top flight has meant a few months of uncertainty for boss Barry Smith. He says his side are relishing a tilt at the SPL this season even though he admits it has been difficult strengthening his squad.

Killie (10/11, draw 12/5) finished a respectable seventh last term and will hope for something similar in 2012-13. Only Jeroen Tesselaar and Rory Boulding have been recruited so far and their opposition, as SPL newcomers, will be up for the challenge at Rugby Park but a narrow home win still looks on the cards here.

Prediction: Home win.

Ross County v Motherwell

This is one of the stand-out opening-day games with many predicting County will put on a good show in the SPL following their impressive title-winning campaign in Division One last term.

Boss Derek Adams has been one of the busier managers over the summer and the signings of Ross Tokely, Gary Glen, and Martin Scott look astue buys.

Motherwell finished third, though, last season and will be difficult first opponents for County (17/10, draw 9/4). Stuart McCall is another manager who has had to shed several players from his squad but there is still enough quality there to ensure they claim the three points. Back an away win at a tempting 8/5.

Prediction: Away win.

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Blackpool Vs Tottenham Hotspur

After their fearless, and wholly unexpected, fine start to life in the Premier League in the autumn last year, the Seasiders have slipped down the  table in recent weeks with just one win since the turn of the year and Ian Holloway’s men are now in real danger of dropping out of the top flight (Blackpool 6/5 to be relegated).

Blackpool also travel to Wolves on Saturday in a crucial relegation showdown but Holloway will still have his players focused for the test of Spurs.  Despite Blackpool’s struggles in 2011 it is worth noting that they have pulled out some decent performances despite results not going their way.  The one win they did manage to pick up in January was the notable scalp of Liverpool in a 2-1 win at Bloomfield Road, while they also pushed champions elect Manchester United to the limit before slipping to a 3-2 defeat.

Spurs have a great away record and only Arsenal have recorded more victories on the road than Harry Redknapp’s side. Spurs are the heavy favourites to take all three points but the game could be much closer than many people expect and Blackpool will not roll over easily (match betting – Blackpool 16/5, draw 11/4, Spurs 4/5).

Spurs will be without the influential midfield duo of Rafael Van der Vaart and Gareth Bale for their trip to Bloomfield Road, while Blackpool have just Richard Kingson as their only option in goal and both sides have a few injury problems. Spurs are also without Vedran Corluka, Jonathan Woodgate, Ledley King, Younes Kaboul and Tom Huddlestone.  Blackpool will have to cope without Stephen Crainey and Matt Gilks, who are both a few weeks away from returning to action, for Spurs’ visit.

Charlie Adam has been in fine form of late and, indeed, through the course of the season. After missing out on a deadline-day move to Spurs he will be desperate to impress Redknapp. The Spurs boss has hinted he may reignite his interest in Adam in the summer and the Scottish international can be backed at 10/3 to score at any time in the match.

Both teams have an attacking philosophy and are arguably two of the most attack minded sides in the Premier League, over 2.5 goals is priced at 8/15 and there will be plenty of chances for both sides over the course of the fixture.

Arsenal V Stoke City

Arsenal and Stoke have built up a fierce rivalry in recent years, with the contrasting styles of bosses Arsene Wenger and Tony Pulis seemingly at the route of the problem – as well as a few tasty encounters.

Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross in particular is an unpopular figure at the Emirates Stadium after his challenge on Aaron Ramsey sidelined the midfielder with a broken leg for a significant amount of time and the Potters and boss Pulis are set for a fiery reception when they arrive at the Emirates on Wednesday.

Both sides have virtually fully-fit squads ahead of the meeting.  Arsenal are without Abou Diaby through suspension, while Johan Djourou remains a doubt with a back injury. Stoke’s only concern is winger Matthew Etherington, who has a back problem.

Arsenal have been beaten just three times at the Emirates in the Premier League this season and it will take a big effort from the Potters to get anything out of the game. Pulis’ Stoke side have managed just 10 points and 12 goals from their 13 away days to date and it would take a brave punter to back anything other than an Arsenal victory at the Emirates on Wednesday (match betting – Arsenal 3/10, draw 4/1, Stoke 10/1).

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England

Capello brought in four new faces but also discarded in-form Bolton striker Kevin Davies – seemingly consigned to the international scrapheap as a 32-year-old ‘one-cap wonder’.

The decision to omit Davies may be understandable, given that the Wembley clash is a chance to assess his options for the future and build towards the Euro 2012 finals in Poland and the Ukraine.

But anybody watching the form of Cahill recently, and Capello was at Molineux to see another accomplished performance from the ex-Aston Villa defender on Saturday, will know that he is worthy of his place.

Smalling, although playing well himself when given his chance by Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, has not started a single Premier League game this season – rendering his selection at best puzzling.

Micah Richards has also been brought out of the international wilderness in the week that he went public and moaned about his lack of opportunities under Capello.

But the Manchester City man was dropped by his club manager Roberto Mancini after playing in back-to-back defeats to Wolves and Lech Poznan, losing his place to Jerome Boateng.

Is the England coach now offering spots in the squad to players who, because of the competition for places at their clubs, cannot get regular football and simply need a game ?

West Ham striker Carlton Cole has been called into the squad as cover for Andy Carroll and Gabriel Agbonlahor who suffered injuries playing for their clubs on Saturday.

Cole has seven caps and no goals as yet for his country, but has shown glimpses in the past of being able to finally banish the prospect of Emile Heskey ever pulling on a jersey with the Three Lions on its chest again.

However, he is playing poorly and has so far managed one goal in sixteen appearances for the Hammers this season – statistics that would make even Heskey wince.

Cardiff striker Bothroyd becomes the first player in the Bluebirds’ 111-year history to be called up by England – and the latest from outside the Premier League – after going on a remarkable scoring run.

After bagging in his last seven matches, Bothroyd now has 15 goals to his name and surely must rank as the most in-form frontman of the pack (Peter Crouch not having scored so far in the Premier League), assuming that Carroll is not fit enough to play, but will he start ?

Only Capello knows, but with his muddied thinking, you tend to think not.

Bothroyd is 13/2 in First Goalscorer betting, Carroll 5/1, Agbonlahor 13/2 and Crouch 6/1.

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The position as head coach of the national side looks likely to be up for grabs very shortly with the Welsh football association calling a press conference for later in the week – when it is expected that Toshack will resign.

The decision comes after a disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign and a poor start on the road to Euro 2012, losing 1-0 to minnows Montenegro on Friday.

The defeat to the Balkan nation appears to have been the final nail in Toshack’s coffin and the former Real Madrid coach reportedly feels he has taken the young squad as far as he can.

The 61-year-old took over in 2004 after Wales had narrowly missed out on qualifying for Euro 2004, losing out to Russia in a play-off.

However, since then Welsh football has gone downhill and Toshack has been forced to try and blood a new generation of players with the likes of Robbie Savage, Giggs, Jason Koumas and Simon Davies all retiring from the international set-up.

While Wales have a good collection of youngsters, the likes of Gareth Bale, Joe Ledley, Aaron Ramsey, Chris Gunter and Jack Collison have so far failed to cut it on the international stage.

Toshack reportedly spent Monday in talks with the FAW in Cardiff to discuss his future and it seems inevitable he will step down before next month’s double header against Bulgaria and Switzerland (10/3 to beat England).

Despite Toshack’s resignation having not been confirmed, there is already a long list of candidates to take the post.

The likes of under-21 coach Brian Flynn, Mark Bowen and Kenny Jackett have all been linked with the job.

However, the favourite for the job already is Manchester United (11/5 Premier League outright) winger Giggs, despite the 36-year-old still being involved with first team action at Old Trafford.

With Giggs’ playing career drawing to a close it has been suggested he could be talked into an early retirement in order to take over the post.

While the United legend concedes it would be a dream come true to manage the national side he admits it might be tough to take up the post at this time.

“If you go into management, the big job is to be in charge of your country. And I’m no different in terms of thinking like that,” Giggs, who has already taken Uefa coaching badges, said in the Daily Telegraph.

“At the moment it is difficult, because I still have commitments as a player.”

Another name being thrown into the hat is that of former Arsenal, West Ham and Wimbledon striker Hartson, who says he would love to take over from Toshack.

“I don’t know how seriously the FAW [Football Association of Wales] would consider me,” Hartson told BBC 5 Live.

“But if they were to offer me the job it is something I’d… take seriously.”

“I’ve got all my [coaching] badges, I’ve worked with the best, I feel as if I’ve learnt a lot about the game and still have a long way to go and a lot to learn.”

Whether it Giggs, Hartson or someone the FAW are set to name a new manager before the team face Bulgaria and Switzerland next month.

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A Mirko Vucinic double was enough to seal victory for the league leaders, who remain one point ahead of Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan.

Struggling Lazio shocked their local rivals by taking a 14th minute lead when Tommaso Rocchi neatly slotted home after latching onto the end of 40-yard through ball from teammate Cristian Ledesma.

Lazio had the better of the chances in the first half and felt that they deserved a penalty after Rocchi’s surge into the area was halted by Nicolas Burdisso’s challenge.

Roma manager Claudio Ranieri made two half time changes to help force a way back into the game, but only one minute after the break Lazio were awarded a penalty.

Lazio’s Aleksander Kolarov brought down Marco Cassetti inside the box, but Sergio Floccari couldn’t take advantage, striking his shot straight at Roma keeper Julio Sergio.

Roma were then award a 53rd minute penalty themselves following a clumsy challenge from Kolarov on Roma’s Rodrigo Taddei.

Mirko Vucinic made no mistake from the spot and Roma looked resurgent as the mounted a string of attacks on the Lazio goal.

Vucinic soon made it two as he unleashed an unstoppable 20-yard free-kick towards the Roma net, leaving Fernando Muslera stranded.

Lazio pressed for an equaliser through efforts by Mauro Zarate and Rocchi, but couldn’t beat Julio Sergio in the Roma goal.

The home side then had Cristian Ledesma sent off in the final moments of a frustrating evening for Lazio, who now sit 16th in the table – just three points above the relegation zone.

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1. Juventus Continue To Plummet After Defeat To Roma
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3. Lazio Continue Worrying Slide Down Serie A Table

A Mirko Vucinic double was enough to seal victory for the league leaders, who remain one point ahead of Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan.

Struggling Lazio shocked their local rivals by taking a 14th minute lead when Tommaso Rocchi neatly slotted home after latching onto the end of 40-yard through ball from teammate Cristian Ledesma.

Lazio had the better of the chances in the first half and felt that they deserved a penalty after Rocchi’s surge into the area was halted by Nicolas Burdisso’s challenge.

Roma manager Claudio Ranieri made two half time changes to help force a way back into the game, but only one minute after the break Lazio were awarded a penalty.

Lazio’s Aleksander Kolarov brought down Marco Cassetti inside the box, but Sergio Floccari couldn’t take advantage, striking his shot straight at Roma keeper Julio Sergio.

Roma were then award a 53rd minute penalty themselves following a clumsy challenge from Kolarov on Roma’s Rodrigo Taddei.

Mirko Vucinic made no mistake from the spot and Roma looked resurgent as the mounted a string of attacks on the Lazio goal.

Vucinic soon made it two as he unleashed an unstoppable 20-yard free-kick towards the Roma net, leaving Fernando Muslera stranded.

Lazio pressed for an equaliser through efforts by Mauro Zarate and Rocchi, but couldn’t beat Julio Sergio in the Roma goal.

The home side then had Cristian Ledesma sent off in the final moments of a frustrating evening for Lazio, who now sit 16th in the table – just three points above the relegation zone.

Related posts:

1. Inter Milan Edge Closer To Another Scudetto Title
2. Inter Milan Go Eight Points Clear as Juve Slip up Again
3. Juventus Lose Ground to Mourinho’s Inter Milan

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