THEY may come round once every two or three months but games such as Aberdeen v Motherwell, Dundee v Kilmarnock and Hibs v St Johnstone have never looked more appetising.
The international break wasn't great for punters and less so for armchair fans who must have wondered if goals had been banned.
Six World Cup play-offs in a row ended 0-0 before Republic of Ireland v Denmark – one that had 0-0 written all over it – bucked the trend. Anyone who backed overs in that one deserves a medal.
Anyway it's back to normal this weekend although in Scotland most of the lower-league clubs are involved in Scottish Cup action.
In the Premiership none of the games look like 0-0s and plenty of people will back the top four – Celtic, Aberdeen, Hibs and Rangers in a fourfold. That pays 15-4 at Marathonbet but my fear is one could let us down. Not sure which one though.
Celtic look nailed on at Ross County but are no bigger than 1-4 at Sky Bet. Brendan Rodgers's men are unbeaten in 15 against the Staggies and of course in 63 domestically.
He might have an eye on the PSG game on Wednesday but in reality that one's about avoiding a heavy defeat more than anything else.
Celtic beat County 4-0 at Parkhead in September and have scored four or more on four of their last six visits to Dingwall. To do so again they are 12-5 at betfair but a safer is over 3.5 match goals at 13-10 with Marathonbet.
Moussa Dembele is back at his best and hit a 12-minute hat-trick for France Under-21s in midweek. If he starts take him to score first at 14-5 with Unibet – if not Leigh Griffiths at 13-5 with McBookie.
Second-placed Aberdeen entertain a Motherwell side they've got a great home record against. They've won five out of six including a 7-2 and 4-1 success.
This season Well beat Dons in the Betfred Cup quarters then lost at home to them three days later.
Aberdeen, despite the continued speculation linking Derek McInnes to Rangers, should win and are 4-5 with Marathonbet. Well have lost two in a row at Ross County and home to Hibs.
Neil Lennon's Hibees are up third and face a St Johnstone side who wouldn't have looked out of place in the Russia play-offs – after all they haven't scored in six.
Hibs, meanwhile, have conceded just won in four – winning them all. Hibs are a biggest 8-13 at William Hill and I'd consider them at 13-8 with boylesports to win to nil.
Rangers remain under the caretaker charge of Graeme Murty who has guided the side to convincing victories against Hearts and Partick Thistle. He should make it three in a row – something Pedro Cainxinha failed to achieve – when Hamilton visit Ibrox.
Gers won 4-1 at the SuperSeal in September and have won 4-0 and 6-0 in the last two meetings at home.
Accies are unbeaten in three but I'm on Murty's men at 1-3 generally and should win by at least two at 10-11 with Ladbrokes.
Killie tempt at 2-1 away to Dundee who have lost five in a row. Steve Clarke's transformed the Rugby Park men and a tough start against Rangers, Celtic, Hibs and Hearts has brought just one defeat.
The only Championship game sees Csaba Lazslo's Dundee United entertain Falkirk. Three of the last four meetings at Tannadice have been draws but I'm backing United to edge this one.
Lazslo played a weakened team against Crusaders last week so is fully focused on the league. United are
In the Cup it's about finding value and avoiding shocks. There are some mismatches – Banks o'Dee v Ayr, Livingston v Glenafton and Lothian Thistle v St Mirren. Ayr, Livi and Saints on a -1 treble pays 2-1 at Betway.
Irn-Bru Cup semi-finalists Dumbarton are a decent price at 8-15 with Stan James at home to League Two Elgin.
For a shock what about Cove at 15-2 with Stan James at Airdrie or Peterhead at 3-1 with Marathonbet at home to Raith.
Recommended Bets
- Ross Co v Celtic over 3.5 match goals
- Hibs to win to nil
- Rangers -1
- Kilmarnock or draw no bet
- Ayr -1, Livi -1, St Mirren -1 treble
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Mr F I know you are a busy man but if you get a chance could you check to see if you have received an email from me relating to being charged twice for annual membership.
The form I am in at the moment (currently contemplating a mid season sabbatical until Boxing Day) I could really do with a refund on the erroneous charge.
Many thanks in advance.
Only admin have access to the emails – if you’ve been charged twice they will refund you right away.
I’ll draw it to their attention in the morning.
Many thanks for your assistance.
I reckon I could get Frankel beat in a three runner seller at Southwell at the moment.