Leapfrog Anyone?

INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE welcome fellow high fliers Hamilton to the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium this Saturday. Both teams will be keen to forget recent losses and continue to compete at the top end of the table. A win for Inverness would see them jump above Hamilton on Saturday in the season long game of leapfrog.

Caley Thistle currently occupy fourth in the SPFL table, following a one nil loss against Celtic at the weekend. John Hughes’ men have been ever present in the early stages of the title race having gone undefeated in October. Hughes felt his side were unlucky not to have gained any points against the Hoops last Saturday.

Hamilton have been the surprise package in the SPFL this season and recently topped the table. However a recent dip in form has resulted in dropped points against Partick Thistle and Dundee as well as an exit in the League Cup at the hands of Aberdeen. Despite this, the Accies still sit in second place in the SPFL table. Hamilton's last game saw them secure a last minute point against Partick in a topsy turvy game after losing a two goal advantage, something that did not best please Alex Neil, citing defensive lapses as the reason behind the mini collapse.

Caley Thistle have been effective in shutting out attacking opposition so far this season, having only conceded 10 goals in 13 games. Hamilton are not only flying high in the SPFL; their players occupy 1^st, 2^nd and joint 3rd in the leagues top scorers table. Saturday will be a test for the Accies goal machines.

IN THE PAST

These two sides are no strangers to facing each other in top of the table clashes, ICT and Hamilton headed up the table after one game in the 2008/2009 season. The sides met in Inverness on match day two. Recently promoted Hamilton were an unknown commodity in the Highland capital having never played a competitive league match against ICT. Hamilton’s Richard Offiong capitalised on a Jamie Duff mistake to score the only goal of the game. Inverness would be relegated at the end of this campaign.

Six years later, the teams met each other in the opening game of this campaign. ICT comfortably dispatched the newly promoted Accies at New Douglas Park after goals from Ryan Christie and Billy McKay. Hamilton travel to Saturday’s game having never lost a league game in Inverness. They will be eager to continue this streak and gain ground over a team who can continue to challenge them throughout the season.

We did of course knock Hamilton out of the Scottish cup on the 22nd February 2003 in Inverness winning 6-1 after going behind to a Martin Bonnar goal in the second minute (I see a theme here). A shock looked likely but a brace from the prolific Dennis Wyness and a couple from Barry Robson along with a Paul Ritchie strike and a Stuart McCaffrey header saw 1st division Inverness progress at the expense of the then 2nd division Accies. It was merely revenge for Accies coming North in January 1997 and dumping Inverness out of the cup by 3-1. Iain Stewart had headed the opener after 12 minutes, but Sean McEntegart equalised soon after. The Accies took over in the second half and a certain Mr Ritchie scored twice to put Accies into the next round.

Ahh, those were the days..............

TEAM NEWS

Inverness will be without long term absentee Richie Foran. The Irishman is yet to feature for the Caley Jags this season. Other than that it's a clean bill of health for the Highlanders.

Hamilton appear to have no new injury worries ahead of the game and Jesus García Tena is back in training, but Grant Gillespie is suspended.

KEY PLAYERS

Josh Meekings (Inverness CT) – The 22-year-old is set to make his 100^th appearance for the club on Saturday. The back line for Inverness will be key to shutting out a Hamilton side capable of scoring goals.

Billy McKay (Inverness CT) – The stuttering striker scored his only goal of the season against Hamilton. With the recent addition of Ibra Sekajja to the squad, McKay will need to start scoring to ensure he continues to start.

Anthony Andreu (Hamilton) – The Frenchman tops the SPFL scoring charts with six goals. Andreu has first hand experience of working under John Hughes during his spell at Livingston. The midfielder’s late strike salvaged a point against Partick Thistle last weekend. A player of his calibre could certainly be a thorn in ICT’s side.

Dougie Imrie (Hamilton) – The former Inverness CT player is in his second spell at Hamilton having left Morton in the summer. The 31-year-old has a habit of scoring in Inverness and will need to be watched closely.

PROC'S PREDICTOR

This will come down to Inverness’ ability to take their chances in front of goal. While Hamilton have proven that they are a side capable of scoring, ICT have been solid at the back all season. If McKay can find his goal scoring form again then another home win is on the cards.