Scottish Premiership: Opening weekend analysis and score predictions for TV games
The Scottish Premiership is ready to kick off its 2024/25 season, with four games to be broadcast on Sky Sports over the opening weekend.
Dundee United return from the Scottish Championship and face fierce rivals Dundee FC, while Celtic and Rangers will both be hoping to start the season well in tough opening fixtures.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Sam Condy gives the rundown of this season's opening weekend and what to expect in each of the four televised matches.
Hearts vs Rangers
The first game of the season will see last season's second and third-placed finishers battle it out as Heart of Midlothian and Rangers will both be hoping to kick the season off with a big win on Saturday.
Rangers have not won the league title since the departure of Steven Gerrard at the end of the 2020/21 season.
This summer, the side has been subject to a rebuild at the hands of manager Phillipe Clement, who will be hoping to dethrone their Glasgow rivals and lift the Scottish title for the first time in his managerial career.
Hearts, on the other hand, put up a good fight last season, finishing in third place, with a second-place finish looking possible for the side up until the league table split in April.
Analysis and score prediction
Rangers have won four of the pair's last five meetings, with the most recent match-up finishing in a 3-3 draw at Tynecastle.
With seven new signings being brought to Ibrox over the summer transfer window, it is unclear who Clement will start as the club continues their rebuild in hopes of ending Celtic's recent Premiership dominance.
Despite a one-sided head-to-head tally, Sports New Blitz thinks Rangers will struggle at Tynecastle but will scrape a 3-2 victory and start the season on a winning note.
Dundee United vs Dundee FC
On Sunday, Dundee United will make their return to the top flight, taking on rivals Dundee FC in what will likely be a tense and competitive derby match.
Dundee United found themselves relegated to the Scottish Championship at the end of their 2022/23 campaign, finishing rock bottom of the table with only 31 points on the board.
However, Jim Goodwin’s side had a phenomenal campaign in the second tier, topping the table with only five defeats to their name.
Analysis and score prediction
Dundee FC have found little success against their rivals in recent years, with two losses and three draws in the last five derby appearances.
However, Dundee United are only just returning to the top flight so may struggle to compete at the higher standard now expected of them.
Dundee had a standout season last year, finishing in the top half of the table for the first time in nine years.
Sports News Blitz predicts that Dundee will manage to get one back over their rivals, with the final scoreline reading 2-1.
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Celtic vs Kilmarnock
Brendan Rodgers’ reigning champions Celtic will also look to get off to a flying start on Sunday, taking on heavy underdogs Kilmarnock at Celtic Park.
Celtic will be aiming to make it four in a row this season, having won the league title for the third successive time last season, recording just three losses.
However, Kilmarnock will be looking to upset the odds following a fantastic season which saw them steal fourth place and earn a place in the Europa League qualifying rounds.
Analysis and score prediction
The head-to-head between the two clubs is closer than one would expect, with three wins going to the current champions, one draw, and one win for Kilmarnock.
However, their last outing saw Kilmarnock subjected to a 5-0 thrashing.
Sports News Blitz predicts that despite Kilmarnock’s best efforts they will be unable to keep Celtic away from goal, losing 2-0 in their season opener.
St Johnstone vs Aberdeen
After a dire campaign last season, Aberdeen will be hoping to return to winning ways under the guidance of new boss, Jimmy Thelin, on Monday night.
Thelin follows Neil Warnock, whose eight-game tenure saw them win just two games, both of which came in the Scottish Cup.
However, the side did show promising signs towards the end of their campaign, winning four of their five matches following the split.
St Johnstone also found themselves struggling last season, ending the season in 10th place with just eight wins to their name.
Analysis and score prediction
Aberdeen have been victorious twice across the pair's last five meetings, with two draws and one defeat.
Thelin’s side will head into the match as slight favourites despite last year's lacklustre campaign.
Both sides struggled to keep clean sheets last season, with St Johnstone conceding a massive 54 goals and finishing the season with a whopping -25 goal difference.
Sports News Blitz predicts a 3-1 win for Thelin's side.
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