This weekend we look at another round of Premiership fixtures from a betting perspective, coupled with recommended trades from the lower leagues. Midweek seen the end of the title race in all but name however the league from second place to twelfth is separated by very fine margins and there is still a lot of excitement to come in the months ahead – hopefully we can ensure we make a few pounds from it along the way.
Scottish Premiership Prices
Aberdeen v Celtic
After mentioning that the title race is over in my opening paragraph, I suppose an argument could be made for it being ever so slightly back in the melting pot if the Dons could get a win here. Personally, I don’t see it. Celtic will travel to Pittodrie in great health to face a side that seen it’s winning run come to an end with a pretty abject performance at New Douglas Park in midweek. Overall, Aberdeen haven’t been overly impressive to me this season for large swathes of time. Celtic have been backed in from a backable price of 5/6 in the immediate aftermath of the midweek matches and now sit at a best price 8/11 with Coral. I expect that price to shorten by tomorrow and it’s a price that might still appeal to some.
Prediction: Aberdeen 1-3 Celtic.
Inverness CT v Hearts
A great midweek for Inverness, a terrible midweek for Hearts. By all accounts the 3-0 win for Inverness was a touch flattering against Motherwell (and evenly matched game until the first goal). It was certainly a surprising result to me after ICT’s poor performance only a few days earlier at home to an improving Kilmarnock side. The Ayrshire side however, followed up that credible point with a sterling display at home to Hearts in a thoroughly deserved win. This leaves Robbie Neilson with a lot of food for thought for the long journey to the Highlands. Hearts are playing well in patches, but aren’t quite hitting the heights of what they are capable of. Watt and Salmon are not having the impact that it’s assumed they are capable of. In saying that, the squad is very strong and if they can click these are matches that they should be looking to take three points from. From a betting perspective, the bookies have the prices bang on the money here and there’s no value in the match betting prices.
Prediction: Inverness CT 1-1 Hearts.
Rangers v Kilmarnock
Rangers’ indifferent form continues, but this does not seem to be reflected by the prices offered by the bookmakers. Rangers are extremely short here to defeat one of, ever so surprisingly, the form teams in the division over the last few weeks. If you are capable of winning in Perth, drawing in Inverness and winning at home to Hearts then you are most definitely capable of getting a result at Ibrox. The quotes of 1/3 for a home win is far too short.
TRADE: Kilmarnock – Double Chance @ 11/4 (Bet365) – 1pt.
Prediction: Rangers 1-2 Kilmarnock.
Motherwell v Ross County
Ross County’s performance against Celtic in midweek was a lot better than the 0-4 scoreline suggests, indeed few could have argued if the match had finished in a draw. The return of Liam Boyce and the introduction of Chris Burke are huge bonus factors for the Staggies. In saying that, they have underperformed until this point, but with a late goal at Firhill last week and an improved showing in midweek there are shoots of recovery showing. As for their opponents, despite a reasonable performance at Parkhead a few weeks ago, the results either side of that would give Mark McGhee and all Motherwell fans a great deal of cause for concern. Betting wise, I think Ross County are slightly overpriced here and should be going here with just as much chance of coming away with a win as Motherwell. I couldn’t put anyone off backing Ross County in the Match Betting, or Draw No Bet markets.
Prediction: Motherwell 0-2 Ross County.
Hamilton v Dundee
A huge match for both sides, but especially for Paul Hartley. A manager under severe pressure and becoming more and more likely to be the first casualty of the season. Partick Thistle came to Dens Park and recorded a comfortable and efficient 2-0 win on Wednesday that turned a worrying situation into a crisis for all those in dark blue. The previous evening Hamilton had put in a workmanlike shift to record a fortunate, but welcome 1-0 win against an in-form Aberdeen. Dundee will do well to stem the poor run of results here – Hamilton are favourites with the bookies and rightly so. As for betting, the prices are spot on the money and they take a similar view to myself.
Prediction: Hamilton 1-0 Dundee.
St Johnstone v Partick Thistle
St Johnstone continue to go about their business in a quiet and efficient manner that is bound to get them not only a Top Six place once again, but has them as serious contenders for second place in the league. What a credit to Tommy Wright, a man who must be on the radar of many clubs around the UK. Partick Thistle will offer stern opposition on Sunday however – a side who have been slightly unfortunate with late goals conceded this season (for unfortunate, see weakness), but certainly put things right against Dundee. St Johnstone look slightly overpriced to me here and I would be close so siding with them as a 1 point bet if they drift beyond even money.
Prediction: St Johnstone 1-0 Thistle.
LOWER LEAGUE PRICES & TRADES
TRADES:
LAY Dunfermline @ 2.36 on BF Exchange – 1pt.
LAY Peterhead @ 2.04 on BF Exchange – 1pt.
BACK Arbroath DRAW NO BET @ 11/10 @ PaddyPower – 1pt.
POSSIBLES:
LAY Forfar
LAY Queens Park.
——
To keep up to date with all the latest betting news have a look on Twitter and follow @FootballAnd147. In the first two weeks of trading we have proceeded to ensure a 9.85 point profit. That means that if you had followed every trade with a stake of 1 point = £100 you would be lying on the couch with and extra £985 in your pocket.