Will Celtic beat out Rangers for the Scottish Premier League title?
It’s not a surprise that the Scottish Premier League title will remain in Glasgow for yet another season, bu
The final round of the Scottish Premier League season takes place this weekend, and Rangers go into the weekend in position to win their first title since the 2004/05 season, as they hold a two-point lead over archrivals and three-time defending champions Celtic.
However, Rangers have a tough away match against Europe-chasing Dundee United, while Celtic are at home to Hearts, who have already clinched third place.
At the bottom of the table, last-placed Falkirk go into the weekend still with a chance to save themselves from relegation, but it’ll require an away win against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Below, I preview and predict this weekend’s key matches.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle v. Falkirk
Previous Meetings
8/30/08: Falkirk 1-2 ICT
11/12/08: ICT 1-1 Falkirk
3/21/09: Falkirk 4-0 ICT
ICT at home: 4 wins, 5 draws, 9 losses
Falkirk away: 2 W, 7 D, 9 L
Scenarios: With a win or a draw, ICT would be safe, and Falkirk would be relegated. If Falkirk win, they’ll be safe, and ICT are all but relegated, unless St. Mirren get whipped by Hamilton.
It’s pretty simple for ICT. Avoid defeat, and they’re safe. They’ve been a pretty good side at home since the start of the new year, so they have to like their chances. Falkirk have only two away wins in 18 away matches this season, but one of those two wins came in their last away match, at Hamilton, and in their previous away match, they earned a 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock. That has kept them in position for a great escape, but nothing less than a win will do.
Prediction: Unfortunately for Falkirk, that win won’t happen. ICT won’t get the win, but they don’t need the win. They only need a draw, and that’s what I see them getting. A small consolation for Falkirk is that they will get to play in the UEFA Europa League next season, thanks to having made the final of the Scottish Cup.
Dundee United v. Rangers
Previous Meetings
11/4/08: Rangers 3-3 Dundee United
12/15/08: Dundee United 2-2 Rangers
1/31/09: Rangers 2-0 Dundee United
Dundee United at home: 7 W, 8 D, 3 L
Rangers away: 10 W, 6 D, 2 L
If Rangers are going to break Celtic’s stranglehold on SPL supremacy, it’s going to have to be done the hard way. Dundee United haven’t given them anything easily in their previous three meetings this season. In the two draws, Rangers drew first blood, only to need late equalizers after Dundee United had taken leads, and in the win in January, Rangers’ two goals came in the final 15 minutes.
Rangers haven’t won at Dundee United since a 4-1 win in April 2006, and with Dundee United chasing a place in Europe, Rangers will be in for a serious fight, which may not end up going their way when all‘s said and done.
Prediction: It’s hard to see Rangers leaving Tannadice with a victory, and even getting a draw won’t be easy. Scottish Premier League odds have Rangers as a pretty solid favorite, but I see another draw, and there’s a good chance that there’ll be some late heroics on one side, but will Rangers be left wishing they’d slaughtered a few more opponents along the way?
Celtic v. Hearts
Previous Meetings
11/2/08: Hearts 0-2 Celtic
12/15/08: Celtic 1-1 Hearts
4/11/09: Hearts 1-1 Celtic
Celtic at home: 14 W, 3 D, 1 L
Hearts away: 5 W, 5 D, 8 L
Can Hearts hand Rangers the title? Hearts already have their league finish and place in Europe secure, but they won’t just lay down and let Celtic win and potentially take the title. The last two meetings haven’t gone Celtic’s way, and Hearts have done a good job overall of getting results against the two Old Firm sides, earning a win and three draws in seven league matches against Rangers and Celtic this season, so Hearts will be very confident about their chances of spoiling Celtic’s hopes of a fourth straight title.
Prediction: Can Hearts pull off a third straight positive result against Celtic? I think they can, and I think they will. Hearts get the draw at Celtic Park, and they also get many, many thank-you notes from Rangers fans, grateful for helping them secure the SPL title.
Dont Agree? Let us Know. We love hearing your thoughts and picks!
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