GW 3 – Ones to Watch

Matt: It’s taken only a fortnight for the game to produce some serious fireworks, as the new season exploded into life in GW 2 – 61 tons were amassed and a top score of 152 recorded, which already beats the highest weekly total from the whole of the 2020/21 campaign! We love to see it here at TUG!

It’s an all Scottish affair for me in terms of this week’s top tips…..

• Hibernian. I’m starting off with a trip to the capital, where Hibs take on an out of sorts Livingston in the Premiership. The Hibees are often a solid bet when playing at Easter Road and they’ve made a strong start to this season; indeed they currently find themselves top of the league, albeit on goal difference and having only played three games! That trio of matches has seen Jack Ross’s side amass 8 goals, topped only by the free-scoring Celtic, with Motherwell and Ross County on the receiving end of 3 goals apiece and a 2-2 draw at Dundee last weekend. Seven points from nine could (and probably should!) become 10 from 12 against The Lions from Livingston, who by stark contrast to their hosts, have made an appalling start! Three games, three defeats and 7 goals conceded – things won’t get any easier for the West Lothian side on Saturday! Livi also suffered a 2-1 loss on the road at League One Alloa Athletic in the cup recently and you have to go way back to the 2nd of February for the last time they won away from home in the Premiership. I’m backing Hibs to continue their good form in front of goal in this fixture.
• Forfar Athletic. Heading down into League Two, Gary Irvine’s men have begun reasonably solidly in their bid to regain their League One status at the first attempt. Boasting one of my favourite club nicknames, The Loons are unbeaten in their opening four league games, with two wins and two draws, including a very entertaining 2-2 against bookies’ favourites Kelty Hearts in their previous home match. Having scored in every one of their league encounters so far, Forfar will no doubt be expecting that trend to carry on against a Stranraer side who arrive at Station Park bottom of the table, with just a solitary point to their name. Worryingly for The Blues, they’ve already shipped 7 goals in their first three league games, with consecutive 3-0 home reversals against Annan Athletic and Stirling Albion not exactly the sort of form they’d be wanting to take into a tough looking away match like this! Whilst Forfar having been banging in the goals, they have been reliable scorers and I’m expecting them to do the business again on Saturday. Good luck to you all.