Tag Archives: Preview

Champions League preview

Posted on by
Reply

The line-up for the last 16 of the Champions League has now been revealed with some interesting match-ups. We’ll have a look at each one in turn and try to determine who might make it into the quarter-finals.

Arsenal v Barcelona

Arsene Wenger said he knew that the Gunners would land the most difficult tie of all and he was proved right as the names were drawn out of the hat. The Catalans were too good for the Londoners 12 months ago and, if anything, are a better side now. Pep Guardiola says he is scared of facing Wenger’s men but deep down inside Barca will fear nobody on their march to the final.

Prediction: Arsenal 11/4 to qualify

AC Milan v Tottenham

Spurs have a confidence about them in Europe that suggests that they could progress from this tie, despite Milan’s current standing in Italian football. The San Siro outfit are six points clear in the league table but just how strong is Italian football? Harry Redknapp has instilled a belief in his players that they can win any match and the 3-1 victory over Inter Milan proved that they can.

Prediction: Spurs 10/11 to qualify

FC Copenhagen v Chelsea

The Blues are clearly not the same side that they were at the start of the season and the Danes might see this as one they can win. But there is plenty of time for the west Londoners to regroup for the Champions League knock-out stage and they might be a different side again come March.

Prediction: Chelsea 1/12 to qualify

Marseille v Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson has already stated that he feels this will be a difficult tie as the French side are notoriously hard to beat on their own patch. The Red Devils are unbeaten in the top-flight this term and, while that might not be the case when these two sides square off, they will surely have too much for a Marseille side who are currently fifth in the Ligue 1 standings.

Prediction: United 1/5 to qualify

Inter Milan v Bayern Munich

Jose Mourinho is now long gone from the San Siro and it shows as Inter are languishing in seventh place in the Serie A standings. Bayern are also enduring a torrid time domestically as Borussia Dortmund continue to run away with the Bundesliga. This is difficult one to call but the Germans are just favoured to sneak through over the two legs.

Prediction: Bayern 10/11 to qualify

Real Madrid v Lyon

The El Clasico hammering aside, Mourinho has enjoyed an excellent start to his time in charge of Real and that should continue with progression to the last eight of Europe’s elite club competition. Lyon are right up there in the French league but it will be a step up facing the Spanish giants who will have thoughts of winning the competition for no other reason than to prevent Barca from doing so.

Prediction: Real 1/5 to qualify

Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk

Neither of these sides will really entertain thoughts of winning the Champions League but the Italians are tipped to progress to the next round despite the Ukrainians’ easy passage into the last 16. They topped Arsenal’s group with 15 points but will find the knock-out round a different kettle of fish against the experienced Serie A side.

Prediction: Roma 8/13 to qualify

Valencia v Schalke 04

Schalke topped their group in qualifying but it was far from the ‘group of death’ while Valencia scored goals for fun in finishing runners-up to United. The Germans are not enjoying a good time of it domestically and are precariously close to the drop zone in the Bundesliga and the Spaniards’ pedigree should see them through this one.

Prediction: Valencia 8/15 to qualify

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

SPL/Live Euro games preview

Posted on by
Reply

Bet on the SPLThe weather has decimated the Scottish football programme but three fixtures have beaten the big freeze, while we will also have a look at the Spanish matches that are live on TV on Saturday.

Hamilton v Celtic

Hamilton’s last win was back on October 30 when they secured a 1-0 away win over Motherwell but November has been a tough month. Four defeats were followed by a goalless draw with St Mirren last time out and that is hardly the sort of form you want with Celtic due to visit. The Bhoys have stuttered themselves since putting nine past Aberdeen and have won only one of their last four SPL games, but they will surely be far too good for Accies, who have yet to win at home this season.

Verdict: Away win (3/10)

Value bet: Celtic to score in both halves (21/20).

Hearts v Inverness CT

Hearts are the in-form team north of the border with six successive top-flight victories, which has seen them reach the giddy heights of third in the SPL standings, with 32 points from 16 games. Inverness are, themselves, unbeaten in five with three wins and two draws and this has the makings of a cracker at Tynecastle. Hearts duo Ian Black and Eggert Jonsson are expected return from illness while Inverness midfielder Nick Ross has also recovered from illness.

Verdict: Draw (13/5)

Value bet: 1-1 draw (11/2).

Kilmarnock v Hibernian

Killie have lost just once in six top-flight games and are in decent form and will look to follow up last weekend?s victory over Aberdeen with three points against Hibs. The Edinburgh club have stuttered since their amazing victory over Rangers, with one win, one defeat and a draw last time out. Both clubs are comfortably in mid-table but a home win is predicted here in a tight contest at Rugby Park.

Verdict: Killie win (11/10)

Value Bet: Killie to win 1-0 (11/2).

Espanyol v Barcelona

Barca seem untouchable at present and Arsenal will probably find that out in the next stage of the Champions League but Espanyol must try to find a way to stop them this weekend. Espanyol are fourth in the La Liga standings but Barca have shipped just eight goals all season and seem certain to add another three points to their tally here.

Verdict: Away win (2/7)

Value bet: Barcelona to keep a clean sheet (5/6)

Real Sociedad v Valencia

Theses two clubs will be battling it out for a Europe League place or, in Valencia’s case, maybe a spot in the Champions League. Sociedad are looking to bounce back from their mauling at the hands of Barca last time out while Valencia were involved in a 3-3 draw with Osasuna in their last top-flight outing. Stalemate could be the order of the day here with neither side willing to give an inch in pursuit of a European spot.

Verdict: draw (9/4)

Value bet 1-1 (1/2).

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Sunday’s Elite League preview

Posted on by
Reply

Juventus host Lazio in Serie A’s crunch clash on Sunday and, fresh from their fine 3-1 win over champions Inter last weekend, the capital club are good value at 7/2 to secure an away triumph to underline their title credentials.

Mauro Zarate and Sergio Floccari were both on target in the win last weekend and have hit three and five league goals respectively this season to help fire Lazio up the league.

Juve are 4/5 to win (the draw 5/2) but were held 1-1 by Roma last week and will be desperate for a win to keep the pressure on leaders Milan at the top of the table.

However, the Old Lady have been shipping goals at home – they have conceded 11 goals in Turin this term, a league-high – and attack-minded Lazio will look to pile on the pressure as they go for their first win at Juve since 2002.

Totesport are offering EVENS on over 2.5 goals in the game which appears good value with both sides expected to go for the win on Sunday and Juventus are the most prolific side in the league, scoring 29 goals so far this season.

Elsewhere in Serie A, Milan (3/5) should be too good for Bologna (5/1) while Napoli, at 2/1, offer value for a win at Genoa as they look for back-to-back victories following the late 1-0 success over Palermo last time out.

In Spain this weekend, expect Real Madrid (1/4, the draw 5/1) to overcome Real Zaragoza (9/1) away from home while Barcelona should have little trouble seeing off Real Sociedad, who are a huge 28/1 to cause a massive shock as the big two keep up the pace at the top of La Liga.

Malaga head to Hercules with a draw looking the most likely outcome 23/10 while Getafe could cause a small upset by beating Villarreal at home (7/5) while Espanyol, who are currently fourth, are available at a tempting 13/5 to secure all three points at Athletic Bilbao.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Sunday’s Premier League Preview

Posted on by
Reply

West Bromwich Albion’s bid to follow up last weekend’s thumping 4-1 win at Everton could be determined by the outcome of fitness tests on several key players ahead of Newcastle’s visit to the Hawthorns (Albion 5/4 To Win) at 1.30pm on Sunday lunchtime.

The Baggies will be smarting from crashing out of the Carling Cup quarter-finals at Championship side Ipswich in midweek, while the shock win at Goodison Park made it four points from a possible run in what had been a sticky patch for Roberto Di Matteo’s side.

And the Italian will hope top scorer Peter Odemwingie will be fit to feature as he looks to add to his four league goals so far this term.

Chris Brunt, James Morrison, Paul Scharner and Nicky Shorey are also battling to be fit for the game and their involvement could make all the difference given that Youssouf Mulumbu will serve the second game of a two-match ban after his sending-off at Everton.

Newcastle arrive on the back of a creditable 1-1 home draw against reigning champions Chelsea last Sunday and they have the omens on their side given that they have not lost to West Brom in 17 league games.

The Magpies (11/5 Away Win) did the double over Albion in the previous two seasons they met in the Premier League and they will be boosted by the return of Joey Barton from a three-match ban.

However, captain Kevin Nolan is still out with an ankle problem, while Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson both serve the second game of their three-match bans.

The corresponding fixture last season ended in a 1-1 draw on the opening day of the Championship campaign and that looks a good bet at (11/2 Correct Score) for Sunday.

Newcastle’s north-east rivals Sunderland feature in Sunday’s later game at 4pm and they will look to get back to winning ways against struggling West Ham at the Stadium of Light (4/5 Sunderland Home Win).

The Black Cats produced a magnificent 3-0 win at Chelsea on November 14, but have since been held at home by Everton before losing out 3-2 at lowly Wolves a week ago.

However, boosted by John Mensah’s declaration of fitness, boss Steve Bruce will be hoping his side can maintain their unbeaten home run in the Premier League with a good result.

Despite currently occupying bottom spot, Avram Grant’s Hammers (10/3 Away Win) will be no pushovers as they arrive on Wearside on the back of two impressive results.

A 3-1 home league win against Wigan last Saturday was followed up by a 4-0 battering of holders Manchester United in the Carling cup quarter-finals at Upton Park on Tuesday.

With Scott Parker set to play on, despite a chest infection, the Hammers will hope to emulate their Carling Cup win at the same venue earlier in the season, while keeping up their record of scoring against Sunderland in every one of their last 15 head-to-heads (5/6 Both Teams To Score).

It is 12/1 for a repeat of last season’s 2-2 draw, but Sunderland’s strong home form should be just enough to edge them to a first win against the Hammers since March 2008.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Saturday’s EPL betting preview

Posted on by
Reply

Arsenal will go into the north London derby full of confidence after back-to-back away wins but Tottenham are not without hope because Arsene Wenger’s men have already lost at home twice this season (Arsenal 8/13 match betting v Tottenham).

Harry Redknapp will have Jermain Defoe back in the squad while Arsenal starlet midfielder Jack Wilshere is set for a late fitness test.

As ever with derby matches form does not come into the equation and the home side are tipped to continue their winning run on Saturday lunchtime.

Birmingham may be in the bottom three but they are a much tougher nut to crack at home with just one defeat this term at St Andrew’s.

However there is always the danger of a Chelsea backlash after their incredible 3-0 defeat to Sunderland at Stamford Bridge last time out.

The Blues of west London are capable of beating anyone on the day but we believe this will not be their day with a draw the likely result (draw 13/5).

Blackpool have won only once at home this season while Wolverhampton Wanderers have yet to win away from Molineux but that could all change this weekend at Bloomfield Road.

Wolves have been praised for their performances this term despite not picking up many points but surely their persistence will pay off against an unpredictable Blackpool side who will be without first-choice keeper Matt Gilks (Wolves 9/5 match betting v Blackpool).

Bolton have been the surprise team this season and face a Newcastle side who have also punched above their weight with 18 points from their first 13 games.

There is not much to choose between the clubs in the table but the Magpies excellent away form should see them secure a point at the Reebok Stadium (draw 9/4).

Manchester United could have Wayne Rooney back for the visit of Wigan and this must be the banker of the weekend in the top flight.

The Red Devils have drawn their last two fixtures and rarely will Sir Alex Ferguson’s men go three games without a victory.

Wigan have won only once on the travels and are a different side away from the DW Stadium while United remain a dominant force on their own patch and should win by at least two clear goals (United 11/2 to win 2-0 correct score).

West Brom and Stoke have both garnered 16 points so far this term but the Baggies have not won in four and face a Potters side who have won their last two, including a 2-0 victory over Liverpool.

However Tony Pulis’ men rarely win on the road and a draw seems the likely result here for two sides who will feel that finishing in mid-table obscurity is as good as it gets (draw 11/5).

Finally Liverpool are in desperate need of three points when basement boys West Ham arrive at Anfield on Saturday but will have to do without the services of the inspirational Steven Gerrard, who is out for four weeks.

The Hammers have improved in recent times and are unbeaten in three, and Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson knows that if they lose to the bottom club they will be dragged back towards the relegation zone, which looked a distant memory after three successive victories just a couple of weeks ago.

With Fernando Torres in the side the Reds will be confident of victory, however, and are tipped to win this one by a solitary goal (Liverpool 4/9 match betting v West Ham).

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Championship preview

Posted on by
Reply

Queens Park Rangers’ march back to the Premier League has stuttered in recent weeks with five draws and just one victory in the last six matches.

Goals have been hard to come by with just one a game during that run and they face a trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday having drawn 1-1 with Portsmouth in midweek.

Billy Davies’ men have been difficult to beat at the City Ground and are yet to lose a game and, with the Hoops unable to win at present, we predict a score draw could be on the cards, which could see Rangers knocked off the top of the table if Cardiff manage to win at Scunthorpe (1-1 draw 11/2).

And the Bluebirds are tipped to take all three points from their visit to Glanford Park to play a Scunthorpe side who have already suffered defeat five times at home this term with just one success.

The Iron have lost their last three home games and there seems no reason to believe that the horror sequence will end on Saturday.

The Welsh side are solid on their travels, with five victories under their belts already, and we predict that Cardiff will top the Championship table on Saturday night with a comfortable success by at least two goals (Cardiff 7/1 to win 2-0).

Derby are currently in the play-off zone but form will go out of the window this weekend as they travel to the Walkers Stadium to meet local rivals Leicester City.

Nigel Clough’s side have three away victories behind them and took all the points from a trip to Portman Road on Tuesday night – their third successive victory.

The Foxes are also in decent nick with seven points from their last three games and, with solid home form behind them, they should be able to hold on for a point in a high-scoring draw (2-2 draw 12/1).

Norwich City travel to Reading just two points better off than the Royals but without a win in three Championship games.

Their last victory came against Middlesbrough back on October 23 and they have drawn their last two fixtures, taking a point off Millwall on Tuesday night.

Reading also drew in midweek and have not reproduced the form that saw them put four goals past both Doncaster and Burnley prior to a loss to QPR.

It is hard to separate these two former Premier League sides and a draw seems the obvious result with Reading looking solid on their own patch (draw 12/5).

Finally, Ipswich will have hopes of slipping into a play-off spot after they play host to Barnsley, but Town are notoriously hard to predict at home.

Roy Keane’s men have won four but lost three at Portman Road and defeat to Derby followed two successive victories in East Anglia.

But they have won three of their last four games and should have too much ammunition for a Barnsley side who have recorded just one win away from Oakwell.

The Tykes did manage to down Preston at Deepdale on Tuesday but the chances of lighting striking twice appear to be slim this weekend with Ipswich tipped for a comfortable triumph (Ipswich 4/6 to beast Barnsley).

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

SPL preview and predictions

Posted on by
Reply

Dundee United take on Kilmarnock in a match that is too close to call, with both sides showing decent form of late.

The hosts lost last time out to St Mirren but won their previous two SPL encounters to sit sixth in the table with 17 points, while Killie are just one point and one place below them in the standings.

Strangely, Killie have done better on their travels this term, with three wins already, while United have either won or lost at home and have yet to share the points at Tannadice.

Kilmarnock have won three top-flight matches in a row but that may well end this weekend with a score draw predicted for this one (1-1 draw 11/1).

Hamilton have yet to win at home this season and face an Inverness side who have already tasted victory four times on the road.

The Accies have lost their last two and that will surely become three successive defeats on Saturday afternoon, with Terry Butcher’s men full of confidence after their midweek victory over hapless Aberdeen.

Caley have already taken a point from a trip to Ibrox and will not be daunted by the prospect of facing the basement club at New Douglas Park (Caley 6/4 to beat Hamilton).

Hibs had lost three SPL games in a row before Tuesday’s amazing 3-0 victory away at Rangers which gave them 11 points from 12 matches this season.

They will face a Motherwell side who are flying high behind the Old Firm and have specialised in winning on the road this term.

‘Well have already won four times away from Fir Park and that trend looks set to continue with Hibs tipped to come down to earth with a bump after their midweek heroics.

Hibs have only won once at Easter Road this campaign and we believe they will still have 11 points on Saturday night after a narrow Motherwell success (Motherwell 6/4 to beat Hibs).

Rangers still sit at the top of the table but there would not have been many who backed Hibs to turn them over at Ibrox, and a double with Celtic also losing would have been unthinkable.

They host an Aberdeen side in freefall and will surely be looking to set the record straight with an emphatic victory in Glasgow.

The Dons did take a 2-0 lead in the first encounter this season only to see the Gers score three to claim the spoils, but it is unlikely that Walter Smith’s men will be so welcoming this time around.

Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne has given the dreaded vote of confidence to under-fire Aberdeen boss Mark McGhee, but anything like a repeat of the 9-0 reverse to Celtic will surely force his hand into making a change (Rangers 14/1 to win 5-0).

Finally St Johnstone welcome Hearts to McDiarmid Park desperate to arrest the three-game losing sequence which culminated in a 4-0 hammering at Motherwell last time out.

They have already lost four games at home this term and will have their work cut out to prevent that becoming five this weekend.

Hearts have been superb away from home with four wins already and they appear to be a solid bet to take all three points from this one with the confidence gained by downing Celtic on Wednesday night (Hearts 6/4 to win).

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Premier League Preview – Tuesday

Posted on by
Reply

Stoke City take on Birmingham City on Tuesday night with manager Tony Pulis still seething from yet another big decision that appears to have gone against his men at the weekend.

Mark Clattenburg is set to take charge at the Britannia Stadium and Pulis will be hoping that he can cut out his high-profile mistakes that have caused controversy in recent weeks.

Potters fans never know what to expect from their team at the moment as they lost their first three Premier League matches, then took 10 points from their next four, and haven’t added to that tally since beating Blackburn on October 2.

But the current poor run includes three away defeats and the only reverse at home was against Manchester United when they looked set to take a point from the Red Devils before Javier Hernandez won the game with just four minutes to go.

Stoke do not have a great recent record against Alex McLeish’s side at home, as Birmingham have won three of their last four league and cup games at Stoke, keeping a clean sheet in each match, and the Midlanders  travel to the Potteries after coming back from 2-0 down to take a point against West Ham at the weekend.

Goals may be at a premium in this match as Birmingham have only scored six in their last eight matches, while they have won just three of their last 21 Premier League contests.

Stoke have scored two goals in their last four top-flight matches but if they can get the rub of the green then we predict that their losing streak will come to an end and they will sneak this one by the odd goal (Stoke 11/2 to win 1-0).

Tuesday’s other Premier League match-up sees Tottenham entertain Sunderland with Harry Redknapp’s men desperate for a win to get their season back on track.

The north Londoners have been superb in Europe and it may be that their league form has suffered as a consequence, with a draw and two defeats in their last three games leaving them in seventh place on 15 points.

However the table is so congested, with four other teams also on 15 points, two on 14 and a couple more on 13, and so the standings could alter significantly over coming weeks.

Spurs are back at White Hart Lane and that should give them the edge over a Sunderland side who have also garnered 15 points to date.

They bounced back from humiliation in the north-east derby to beat Stoke on Saturday, albeit with a little help from the officials, but they are a different side away from Wearside, with three draws and two defeats on their travels.

Steve Bruce is likely to go looking for a point on Tuesday, as his men rarely score away from home, and it could be like the Alamo at times with Spurs; attacking talent bearing down on the Sunderland box.

Tottenham are capable of beating the best on their day and we believe they will run out winners by at least two goals, although an early strike will be vital to force the visitors to come out and try to get back into the game (Spurs 5/1 to win 2-0).

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Premier League Preview

Posted on by
Reply

Bolton will be quaking in their boots at the prospect of facing a Gareth Bale-inspired Tottenham at the Reebok Stadium as the youngster is currently on fire.

Bale was an unused substitute in the same fixture 13 months ago but has now been mentioned in the same breath as Lionel Messi.

Spurs should bounce back here after the defeat at Manchester United – as long as the officials let them! (Spurs 13/10 to beat Bolton)

West Ham have not won since beating Spurs on September 25 and I would not hold your breath if you are expecting an away win against Birmingham.

The Blues are solid at home and the Hammers have scored just twice away from home all season and the points should stay in the West Midlands (Birmingham 10/11 to beat West Ham).

The north-west derby between Blackburn and Wigan is usually spicy but with the sides separated by just one point near the foot of the table, a draw must be on the cards with neither side prepared to give anything away at Ewood Park, and with goals at a premium (draw 12/5).

Blackpool have surprised many in the early part of the season but they face an improving Everton and it is high time the Seasiders received another Premier League spanking.

David Moyes’ men were never as bad as their league position suggested and, with 10 points out of a possible 12, they will surely be too good for Ian Holloway’s side (Everton 4/5 to win).

Fulham and Aston Villa have both garnered 12 points so far in a tight division but the Cottagers are tipped to win this one, as the Villans have no experience up front with Heskey, Agbonlahor and Carew all out, and 19-year-old Nathan Delfouneso set to make a rare start.

Fulham are much better by the Thames while Villa have already lost four times away from home (Fulham 5/4 to win).

Manchester United will be without Wayne Rooney for three weeks as he has been sent to the USA for conditioning but it should not matter as they are tipped to easily beat a Wolves side who cannot win on their travels and have only taken one point away from Molineux all season.

The Red Devils seem to have cured their draw-itis which threatened to leave them lagging behind Chelsea at the top of the table and they have won their last five matches in all competitions.

Despite Rooney’s continued absence they will have far too much ammunition for Mick McCarthy’s men at Old Trafford.

United do have one injury doubt – Sir Alex Ferguson – as the boss has been struck down by a virus and is currently bed-ridden (United 1/6 to win).

Finally Sunderland play host to Stoke City on what will probably be the last game showed on Match of the Day.

A low-scoring or goalless draw could be on the cards here despite the fact that the Black Cats’ newest signing, Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan, is tipped for his first starting appearance in the top flight.

In the four Premier League meetings between Stoke and Sunderland no goals have been scored by the away team, so do not expect too much goal-mouth drama on Wearside at the weekend (0-0 draw 8/1).

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

SPL Preview

Posted on by
Reply

Celtic responded well to the Old Firm defeat and put three past St Johnstone last time out, cutting Rangers’ lead at the top to just one point.

They now face an Aberdeen side who have already lost three times away from home this season and the Dons are not fancied to end the Hoops’ record of having won all their SPL games this season – bar the clash with their Glasgow rivals.

A point for Aberdeen would represent a great result, which just emphasises the gulf in class between the top two and everyone else north of the border, in what has become effectively a race for third.

Bhoys legend Henrik Larsson trained with the squad on Friday but we are reliably informed that he will not be in the starting line-up on Saturday afternoon (Celtic 7/1 to win 2-1).

Hamilton host Dundee United and the market suggests this is too close to call (Hamilton 7/4 to win, Dundee United 7/5 to win).

United are five points better off but, with the SPL tight, apart from the Glasgow clubs, punters should not read too much in league positions at present.

David Goodwillie and Barry Douglas could miss out after their part in the incident which saw Danny Swanson receive a facial injury in Glasgow this week.

Hamilton are yet to win at home, while the Terrors have won just once away from Tannadice.

Although it is the obvious prediction, this could be the banker draw of the weekend in Scotland (goalless draw 8/1).

Inverness will welcome Motherwell to the Caledonian Stadium full of confidence after holding Rangers to a 1-1 draw last time out at Ibrox.

Indeed, Terry Butcher’s outfit have taken 11 out of a possible 15 points since their last SPL defeat to Hearts and, with home advantage, they are tipped to beat the team just one place above them in the standings (Inverness 13/8 to beat Motherwell).

Their current unbeaten run includes away wins at St Mirren and Kilmarnock and they are one of the form teams in the league at present.

Midfielder Lee Cox is pushing for a return to the squad following an ankle injury but Gil Blumenshtein, David Proctor, Chris Innes and Kenny Gillet remain on the sidelines.

Well lost at home to Hamilton last week but could have Jamie Murphy and Keith Lasley back if they have no adverse reaction to training on Friday.

Finally, St Johnstone entertain Kilmarnock at McDiarmid Park in another contest which could fall into the category of a ‘toss of a coin’.

Derek McInnes’ side, as expected, lost heavily to Celtic last time out but, away from the Old Firm, they can be a match for anyone on their day and had run into some decent form before the visit of Neil Lennon’s men.

Wins at home to Hibs and away at Hamilton, plus a draw with Inverness, have seen them move up to seventh in the table, with 11 points from 10 games, with Killie just one point behind in ninth.

St Johnstone will look to bounce back from their Celtic reverse and are tipped to take all three points from this one (St Johnstone 11/10 to win).

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.