Doddsy's predictions

Former Aberdeen, Chelsea, Dundee United, Rangers and Scotland striker Billy Dodds will this season analyse each weekend's Scottish Premier League fixtures.

Doddsy, now a respected pundit with BBC Scotland, here gives his views on the opening fixtures in the new season and predicts the scorelines.

THIS WEEK'S PREDICTIONS

SATURDAY

Dundee United v Aberdeen

I've been involved in this fixture many times, both as a coach and as a player, and it is great to play in.

They regularly play each other at the start of the season and they are always tight affairs.

Both teams have new faces, but they are generally of a similar type to those they have lost, basically to suit their budget, and I can't see anything other than another draw.

Prediction: 1-1

Gretna v Falkirk

Gretna are the new boys on the block - and are everyone's favourites to go straight back down. To be honest, they are my tips as well.

They haven't made any big-name signings and need to do what St Mirren did last season - get points in the bag early on - to have any chance of survival in their first-ever season in the top flight.

Falkirk are now firmly established in the SPL and have had a good pre-season, especially that victory over Ajax.

Although it's Gretna's home game, they are having to play at Motherwell's Fir Park, so it remains to be seen what kind of crowd they will have - and many will be Falkirk fans anyway.

So, although I think Gretna will give John Hughes' side a good game, I see Falkirk coming out on top.

Prediction: 1-2

Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Rangers

I have already seen two sides of Rangers this season, closing down and showing the right attitude in beating Chelsea in their friendly.

Then they showed the wrong attitude before scraping a win over Zeta in their first competitive game.

By signing Steven Whittaker, Walter Smith now has at least two players for every position and I'm sure he will make changes.

In fact, I'm sure Nacho Novo, who provided a spark when coming on as a sub in both games, would be a starter if he was not now an injury doubt.

Inverness will again adopt a tight formation, with two banks of four, that will make it very difficult for Rangers.

However, I think Rangers will just do enough to get their title challenge up and running.

Prediction: 0-1

St Mirren v Motherwell

St Mirren made four good signings at the start of the season as they realised they had to raise their budget a bit in terms of wages so they don't repeat last year's struggle to avoid relegation.

They will now look to establish themselves in the SPL, but staying up will still be seen as a success.

Motherwell haven't brought many new faces in, but new manager Mark McGhee has them working hard in training.

And I am told that Ross McCormack has been unbelievable up front in pre-season, while Jim Paterson has lost a lot of weight.

So I expect this to be another tight game, with a share of the points at the end of it.

Prediction: 1-1

SUNDAY

Celtic v Kilmarnock

Kilmarnock must be cursing their luck as they always seem to face the Old Firm at the start of the season and end up having to do catch-up.

They have David Fernandez back from injury, while Steven Naismith's transfer has still not materialised, so Jim Jefferies has been able to keep the bulk of his side together.

Killie will be up there in the top six by the end of the season, but I can't see past a victory for the reigning champions.

Scott Brown is the best talent to come out of Scotland for years and, together with fellow midfielder Massimo Donati, it shows that Celtic now have great strength in depth.

Prediction: 2-0

MONDAY

Hearts v Hibernian

This is a great fixture for the first weekend and it's just a pity that it has been moved until the Monday for TV purposes.

Hibs have lost Steven Whittaker and lost Scott Brown, but their pre-season has gone well.

Hearts have brought in another four foreign players and we must wait to see if they are any better than those at the club last season.

I feel that some kind of controversy will again rear its ugly head at Tynecastle this season, but for now they have some stability after confirming that Anatoly Korobochka and Stephen Frail will remain in charge.

And, spurred on by their vocal home support, I think they will just do enough in what is usually a tight Edinburgh derby.

Prediction: 2-1

Listen to Billy Dodds and the other BBC Scotland football pundits on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound programme seven days per week.

Billy Dodds was speaking to BBC Sport's Clive Lindsay.

Source: BBC Sport