Friday Football Preview. 18th October.

After another boring international break (okay if Scotland hadn't long ago horsed their efforts to qualify for Rio it wouldn't be boring - damn you Craig Levein) its back to domestic matters this weekend. The midweek Scotland game was more encouragement for the future as we competed the double over Croatia. A result that can't be underestimated in its importance with the forthcoming Euro 2016 qualifying draw. A larger European championships means that qualification will become easier and winning our last game will help no end with the FIFA ranking. Seedings for the qualifying draw will be determined by ranking and therefore a higher ranking will mean a place in a higher pot for Scotland and an easier draw. A second place in a group will see automatic qualification - much like it did when we were qualifying all the time, and it should be achievable.

The international break has been good for Dundee United.. We're providing the captains for both the u21s (Stuart Armstrong) and u19s (Darren Petrie) and Adrian Coots also scored twice for the schoolboys. The youth set-up started by Craig Levein is really paying dividends. Ironically, given his poor performance as national team manager, his vision at United may very soon start helping the national side out. Especially if young Ryan Gauld keeps on progressing as he has.

This weekend is a massive game for United and big test. They've been playing some really exciting football and earning the plaudits of late, however, if they are to be a team that wins things and challenges at the top end of the table, they have to get a result against Aberdeen. The dons under Derek McInnes look favourites for 2nd with their blend of proven SPL talent and youngsters. It's a tough one to call but i'm hoping a fast start can see United take a 2-1 victory. Elsewhere in the SPL this weekend i expect Hibs to be shown up by Cetlic and take a real hammering, Motherwell to heap more misery on Hearts and my game to watch is the Saints derby where i think Danny Lennon will further his case to stay in charge by taking a victory 1-0. 

Down south, the press will be cock-a-hoop at England's professional job of taking care or Montenegro and Poland to get to Rio. Back to premiership duty, theirs no games that really stand out. However, Newcastle v Liverpool always makes you harp back to the 4-3's and hope for a high-scoring game. Liverpool will be hoping for a win to keep them back on the right track for a title challenge,with Gerard still on a high from his midweek goal. Likewise, Arsenal will want to stay top with a straight forward win against Norwich. Where they my be intrigue is where West Ham  meet Man City at Upton Park. West Ham will be bouyant after their 3-0 win against Tottenham last time out but i think Man City will ruthlessly see them off.

In Germany, they national team finished their campain with the entertaining 5-3 win against Sweden. DoHibernmestically, can the Polish contingent at Dortmund get their heads back up and get their side back to winning ways against Hannover? Can Schalke's resurgance continue apace against Eintracht Braunschwieg - with the Boatend the new Prince of the Veltins-Arena. This weeks player to watch is Schalke youngster Julin Draxler - expect some goals from him this week.

Predictions:

SPL

Hibernian 0 Celtic 4

Aberdeen 1 Dundee United 2

Kilmarnock 1 Ross County 1

Motherwell 2 Hearts 0

St Mirren 1 St Johnstone 0

Inverness 2 Partick 1

EPL

Newcastle 1 Liverpool 3

Arsenal 2 Norwich 0

Chelsea 1 Cardiff 1

Everton 1 Hull 0

Man Utd 2 Southampton 0

Stoke 1 West Brom 1

Swansea 0 Sunderland 1

West Ham 0 Man City 2

Aston Villa 2 Spurs 2

Bundesliga

Dortmund 2 Hannover 1

Braunschweig 0 Schalke 4

Eintracht Frankfurt 1 Nuremburg 1

Bayern Munich 2 Mainz 0 

Werder Bremen 1 Freiburg 1

Hertha Berlin 1 Borussia Moenchengladbach 3

Hamburg 2 Stuttgart 1

Augsburg 1 Wolfsburg 2