After a dramatic GW7, what will this weekend have to offer?
Before October’s international break, there is a big derby in the capital, a new man in the dugout for Rangers as well as precious points up for grabs.
Celtic v Kilmarnock
Can anyone leave Matt O’Riley out of their team? The cinch Premiership’s top scorer has earned a whopping 174.3 points over the course of seven appearances.
Greg Taylor remains the game’s highest scoring defender, producing another assist for O’Riley last weekend to take his total to 118.8 for the campaign.
Brad Lyons has firmly established himself in the Kilmarnock team this term with his header against St. Mirren amounting to 16.7 points.
If you are considering Killie’s attacking options, it is worth noting that only Rangers and Celtic have attempted more shots than Derek McInnes’ men but they sit joint seventh in the table when it comes to efforts on target.
Dundee v Ross County
These sides are level on points heading into this encounter so what could give either team the edge at Dens Park?
Trevor Carson was GW7’s top scorer after making nine saves to earn a clean sheet at Easter Road but could this be a match to add some Dundee forwards to your line up?
Malky Mackay swapped both his strikers at half time during last week’s defeat to Heart of Midlothian so Fantasy players will be looking to see if he opts to start with Jordan White or whether Simon Murray or Eamonn Brophy have earned a place in the first XI.
The returning Alex Samuel could be a good pick up for your Super Sub selection.
Heart of Midlothian v Hibernian
It’s Derby Day at Tynecastle and there’s plenty of intrigue around this one.
Zander Clark is the game’s highest scoring goalkeeper with 119 points and four clean sheets to his name. Stephen Kingsley is included in the list of top 10 leading defenders with his ability from set plays proving popular with players.
Calem Nieuwenhof and Paul Hanlon were named in the SPFL Team of the Week for their GW7 displays but will either of them be derby heroes?
Elie Youan is up there with the Premiership’s leading chance creators while Martin Boyle often thrives on a big occasion like this.
After pairing Dylan Vente and Adam Le Fondre in the 0-0 draw with Dundee, will Nick Montgomery opt to do so again? The duo have scored over 100 points in the early part of the season.
Livingston v Motherwell
Sean Kelly’s return to fitness has provided Livingston with a real boost and his penalty earned a share of the spoils against St. Johnstone on Saturday. Priced at £9m, the defender amassed 15.1 points on his first cinch Premiership appearance of 2023/24 and he has the potential to earn the same this weekend.
Motherwell travel to the Tony Macaroni on the back of two narrow defeats but Fantasy bosses have seen enough from Blair Spittal to make the midfielder the third most purchased player this week. With one goal and two assists, the playmaker is becoming a talisman for the Steelmen under Stuart Kettlewell.
St. Mirren v Rangers – Live on Sky Sports
It’s 2nd v 3rd live on Sky Sports this Sunday lunchtime as Steven Davis takes his place in the Rangers dugout.
The Buddies remain unbeaten in their opening seven cinch Premiership matches with Scott Tanser’s assist against Kilmarnock seeing the defender reach the 100-point mark in Fantasy Football.
Ryan Strain and James Tavernier are considered amongst the best right backs in the top flight and with 91 and 94 points to their names – both will be in demand with players for this match.
Fantasy bosses will be keeping a close eye on how Rangers line up under their new management team. Abdallah Sima was Rangers’ leading points scorer last weekend after finding the net against Aberdeen.
Aberdeen v St. Johnstone
Owners of Aberdeen players certainly enjoyed GW7 with three players (Jack MacKenzie, Jamie McGrath and Stefan Gartenmann) all in the top five scorers.
Faith in the Dons is high with Bojan Miovski becoming the most purchased player ahead of this weekend’s matches, closely followed by goalkeeper Kelle Roos. Celtic pair Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda are the only forwards to score more points than Miovski’s 73 this term.
Dara Costelloe got off the mark for Saints against Livingston last time out and the on-loan Burnley player will hope it is the start of a promising partnership with Luke Jephcott.
Manage your team and pick up some points before Saturday’s deadline - https://fantasy.spfl.co.uk/#/game/play/me
Gameweek 8 Fixtures
Saturday 7 October
Celtic v Kilmarnock – 3pm
Dundee vs Ross County – 3pm
Heart of Midlothian v Hibernian – 3pm
Livingston v Motherwell – 3pm
Sunday 8 October
St. Mirren v Rangers – 12pm – Live on Sky Sports
Aberdeen v St. Johnstone – 3pm
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