Dunfermline v Hearts
Football : Scottish Premier League
Saturday 15/10/2011 - Kickoff 15.00 (local)

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Dunfermline

Dunfermline are starting to genuinely struggle in the SPL. They have now not won a match in 5 games and find themselves 2nd bottom of the league just 1 point ahead of Inverness CT. Alarmingly they have lost their last 2 games 4-0 which highlights their defensive frailties. In fact they have conceded the most goals (20) in the league so far and still have to play their game in hand against Celtic.

They are not helped in this fixture with striker Andrew Barrowman injured and defender Jason Thomson not allowed to play as he is on loan from Hearts. Also they still miss Kevin Rutkiewicz who sounds close to fitness but not for this match.

Former Hearts man Andy Kirk I'm sure will be brought in to replace Barrowman in attacked which I always thinks a good idea as you always get 100% out of a player playing against their old club, especially a club that released you.

Possible Dunfermline lineup :
Gallagher, Boyle, Potter, Keddie, McCann, Cardle, Mason, Hardie, Burns, Dowie, Kirk (4-5-1)

Hearts

I reckon the fact that Mad Vlad Romanov was actually in town to see Hearts beat Celtic might have been a factor in the players putting in such a good performance.

Paulo Sergio picked the perfect match to get his troops performing, however, I am still a little doubtful he actually has a handle on what his prefered starting XI are as it seems to chop and change every week. You would think though if it is ever going to remain unchanged it might be this week.

One change might be if 1st choice keeper Kello if back fit again but apart from that i expect the team to be unchanged. Obua is down as a slight doubt for this match.

Possible Hearts lineup :
Kello, Grainger, Webster, Zaliukas, Hamill, Smith , Skacel, Black, Stevenson,Templeton, Jonsson (4-5-1)

THE BETTING VERDICT

People will look at Hearts away record and notice that they have only won 2 matches on their travels since 2nd February. That dismal run spans 15 games in all competitions and is pretty appalling really.

Call me crazy though as I think this is the match Hearts will finally end the run and get a win. You would have to think this is one of the easier places to get an away win.

Dunfermline are starting to show the form that I think will see them having a dog fight with Inverness CT for relegation this season. They have simply not got the squad to cope with many injuries and I think as the season goes on this will show. Hearts on the other hand can build on the great win against Celtic last match and kick on up the league to challenge for 3rd or dare I say it 2nd place this year.

I'll back a Hearts away win. (finally)

The Pick :

Dunfermline 0-2 Hearts

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

Dunfermline 25% - Draw 28% - Hearts 47%

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Main Bet :
Take Hearts to win at odds of 2.0 (Coral)