Scottish Football / John Girvan / 15 August 2008 /

Hearts will be looking to add to the Ibrox misery while, despite an unconvincing start, Celtic should be able to take three points, says John Girvan.

In some respects it was an opening weekend of shocks in this season's Bank of Scotland Premier League and punters will be looking for some stability. Rangers and Celtic are both odds on to continue where they left off last week while Hibernian could find things tough at home to Falkirk and Aberdeen might still be in search of some points after a trip to Motherwell.

Carlos Cuellar's departure from Ibrox has left Rangers in turmoil and Hearts are looking to add to their misery this weekend. The Jam Tarts got off to a great start last weekend in their 3-2 triumph over Motherwell and travel West with confidence. They have been no pushovers on any of their last 3 trips to Ibrox, going down 2-1 twice in a row since a goalless draw in January 2007 and they will be similarly difficult to beat this Saturday. Rangers didn't perform last weekend and the [1.51] on offer for a home win looks short. Yes, Rangers should win this one, but under the current circumstances there is a risk and many will be taking a small chance on the draw at [4.3] or even an away win available at [7.8]. Furthermore, Rangers haven't dropped a single point at home in the league since 6th October last year and are maybe due a slip up on home soil.

Such has been his start to proceedings as new Hibernian boss, Mixu Paatelainen is already facing questions on his thoughts on possibly resigning. But the big-hearted Finn insists it is never going to happen and is only focusing on getting 3 points out of Falkirk's visit to Easter Road on Saturday. Easier said than done though as the visitors coped very well at home to Rangers last Saturday, dominating in long spells and very unfortunate not to take at least a point from the game. It's still early days but the hosts are finding goals hard to come by and the best option here would be to Lay Hibernian at [2.2].

Defensive errors ensured Motherwell left Tynecastle empty handed last week and they face an Aberdeen side at Fir Park this Saturday who are also looking for their first points of the season. Both sides have European aspirations this term and neither will fancy the prospect of remaining pointless after two games. Dons boss Jimmy Calderwood admitted after last weeks home defeat to Inverness that it may take time for his newly assembled squad to gel. Motherwell are a settled side and if they manage to eradicate last weeks defensive lapses they could take all 3 points here at [2.2].

This weekend's live fixture comes from Tannadice on Sunday where champions Celtic visit Dundee United. Arabs boss Craig Levein told his squad they cost him a night's sleep after Monday nights 3-1 defeat at new boys Hamilton. He also rubbed salt in the wounds of his players by insisting that the loss could have been a lot worse had it not been for a series of super saves from Polish No. 1 Lukasz Zaluska. Levein pinpoints Mondays disappointment on poor defending from set pieces - "just about everything they did was causing us a problem" he told Wednesdays Scottish Sun.

Celtic are returning to the ground where they clinched their third successive championship in a row just 3 months ago. There are very few changes to the side from last season and they return knowing they won here recently under intense pressure. The away side have a good recent record at this venue, winning in five of the last six visits and drawing once. It was an unconvincing start for Gordon Strachan's men last Sunday however, relying on a soft second half penalty to dispose of St Mirren by a solitary goal, but [1.65] looks decent for them to sustain a 100% record. Goals have also been a recent feature in this fixture with the last six matches throwing up an average of 3.5 per game. Both sides have started slowly on this front so far but backing over 2.5 goals could still appeal.

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