This Sunday sees the final day of the 2015 Scottish Premier League season and whilst the title has been decided, as well as the relegation places – don’t think there are six dead rubbers.
By Tim Oliver / womenspremierleague.co.uk
Celtic v Aberdeen
This is the key match of the day with it deciding who will finish in third place. Aberdeen had looked like they had secured a third-placed finish, but a combination of poor form and a run of Celtic wins means it is the Hoops who lead the Dons by one point. Celtic won their last two games, whilst Aberdeen have lost both of their past two. The first league match between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw, whilst Aberdeen won the second match 3-0.
Rangers v Glasgow City
Rangers will not want to end the season in sixth place, meaning they would finish bottom of the championship section. They will also be looking to right the wrongs from their 9-0 defeat to Hibernian in their last match, especially in front of their own fans.
Glasgow City won their ninth title in a row against Aberdeen in their last game, but they have two targets in their match against Rangers. First of all, they have players vying for their place in the Scottish Cup Final next Sunday and secondly, they are looking to go through the whole season unbeaten. It has been City who won the two league this season: 3-0 and 7-0, however, both were home ties for Glasgow City.
Photo: Andy Buist
Hibernian v Spartans
Like City, Hibernian will have players looking to force themselves into the starting lineup in the Scottish Cup Final. They will hope to continue the attacking ruthlessness they showed in their 9-0 win over Rangers. This will be the last game for Spartans under Debbi McCulloch and they will be looking to mark the occasion with a victory in the Edinburgh derby that would secure fifth place. As they sit one point ahead of Rangers, a victory will secure their current spot. Both league games between these sides have ended in 3-0 wins for Hibernian.
Stirling University v Forfar Farmington
This the battle of the two sides who secured their places in the SWPL 1 next season, and with the gap of five points between them, it means that neither side can swap places. However, this does not mean the tie is meaningless with bragging rights up for grab. As the home side, Stirling will be looking to put on a show after a season that has been incredible. To survive relegation in the SWPL is no mean feat as a newly-promoted side, but to do it in the season where four of the bottom six sides go down is highly impressive.
Forfar, on the other hand, are more of an established SWPL side, but for a while it looked like they could be relegated. But their post-split form, now with just one defeat means they have deservedly grabbed their place in the top flight next year. Both games this season between the sides have been played at Forfar’s ground: the first ended in a 2-2 draw and the second in a 1-0 Forfar win.
Hutchison Vale v Hearts
In another Edinburgh derby, Hutchison Vale will be looking to overtake Hamilton in the league with a victory, as well as picking up three points in front of their own fans. They come up against a Hearts side whose season has been one of so close, and yet so far. They had nearly sneaked into the top six before the split, and then after the split it looked like they could secure one of the two safe spots, but the 5-2 defeat to Forfar ended these dreams. If Hearts do not lose, they will secure their current spot of ninth. Both games between the sides have ended in one-goal victories for Hearts, 1-0 and then 2-1.
Inverness City v Hamilton Academical
This may not have been a season to remember for Inverness City, but like the last game, they will be looking to give a good performance to their loyal fans. In that match, they picked up their third point of the season with an entertaining 3-3 draw against Hutchison Vale.
Like Inverness, Hamilton will be playing in the newly created SWPL 2, and like them in their last match, they had a great result as they became the first side to beat Forfar in the post-split league. They have a chance of catching ninth-placed Hearts who are two points ahead of them. Both games this season have ended in Hamilton victories, but they have not been played at Inverness’ ground.
All the ties have 2 pm kick-off times.
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