BETFRED CUP acton tonight in Scotland and I'm taking Celtic to get their season back on track as they travel to Perth to play a St Johnstone side who shipped five goals against Rangers on Sunday.
St Johnstone v Celtic (7.45pm)
Prior to the weekend I really fancied us to give Celtic a game tonight but two things have happened since then that have altered my opinion on the outcome of this match.
Celtic lost away to Kilmarnock on Sunday and make no mistake about it, there is something seriously wrong at Parkhead at the moment.
They have already dropped 8 points but the most alarming thing for Celtic fans is 1) they are not playing well 2) they are really struggling for goals which is criminal with the talent they have at their disposal.
Secondly, we shipped 5 goals against Rangers and although we have a much better squad attacking wise our midfield is not a ball-winning, battling midfield which you need against the league’s top teams.
I fear we may be on the receiving end of a backlash. Celtic haven’t turned into a poor team overnight and after losing to Kilmarnock the players have a point to prove and owe themselves and their 4500 fans who'll be at the game a performance.
We're a decent side and we'll be challenging top 6 again this season but I just have a feeling Celtic are going to come here and put in a performance and will score a couple of goals.
I really don’t fancy us, not so much because of our defeat on Sunday to Rangers, more because Celtic are still a quality team and head and shoulders above everyone else in the league.
It’s a cup game and they will be wanting to continue their domestic dominance. Leigh Griffiths has scored in his last two and is a good shout to score again tonight. Add Celtic at 4-9 to a line but I'm taking them to win by 2 goals.
Recommended Bet
- Celtic -1
- (11-8) (Betfair) (NAP)
It’s a really busy card on the continent with matches from Germany, France, Italy and Spain and most other leagues. Due to the way the European leagues operate (staggered matches across a weekend) it’s very rare to have so many kicking off at the same so tonight is one of the those nights where I’m going to be like a dog with a bone doing my early goal bets.
- 6 French Ligue 1 matches (6pm)
- 5 Swedish Allsvenskan matches (6pm)
- 5 Swiss matches (7pm)
- 6 Italian Serie A matches (8pm)
Greg's early goal bets explained
To those unfamiliar with it, bet365 on certain matches offer goal time markets in play. They'll appear 10 minutes before KO. I'll be on the following bets in each of the above leagues (will choose 5 matches from 6 in the leagues with 6 games)
Goal before 10 mins in the 5 matches
- fivefold
- fourfold
- treble
Goal before 30 mins in the 5 matches
- fivefold
It’s a market I started doing a few seasons ago and I’ve had some good success with it, especially the 30 mins market. I've already managed all 5 up in the first 10 mins this season (Serie A week 2) and that paid £1500 for £15 stake.
All 5 within 10 mins will pay between 900-1 to 1300-1 depending on the league, while you'll get around 20-1 to 30-1 for goal before 30 mins.
It’s a market I love – due to the big returns for small stakes. You try picking 5 horses at 3-1, 7-2, it's near impossible. But it's not unreasonable to think a match will have a goal in the first 10 mins. Even with three right you'll still get double your stake back and it sets you up nicely for the 30 mins bet.
It’s a bet I do every week and I'm fortunate I managed to land one so early in the season (all 5) – 30 mins landing is quite a regular thing. If you love goals you'll enjoy this market.
I'm a St Johnstone diehard and football tipster from Perth, now living in Glasgow. I've been writing football previews and tips for Mr Fixit since 2015, with in-depth knowledge of Scottish football and betting markets, particularly goals and corners markets. You’ll often find me conversing on Twitter @GregBrowning84.
Gonna give this a bash
Only 365 that offer it? Been using betfair recently
Not sure if betfair offer it mate – good luck if you get it on
likewise i think Celtic will be scratching at the doors to get their toe to the line tonite….fancy them to score 2 or more and over 4 corners at Evens……
Celtic have to win but until they show improvement I’m not prepared to back them when they are just 1-2 to win.
Going to have a go cheers Greg
Good luck mate
Can anyone recommend suggested stakes to use for the trebles / 4folds and 5folds so that’s it’s even if that makes sense ?
Hi mate – because the odds are massive you don’t need to put much on
Here’s an example
5- fold -50p
4fold – 30p ( £1.50)
Trebles 30p (£3)
Total stake £5
And then would you just do £5 on the 5fold for the 30min matches ?
Spot on
Greg,
I would think Tommy Wright will have had them in doing shooting practice I was at game on Sunday I’ve never seen so many shot’s go over the bar from team in a game at Ibrox Stadium , One shot going in early doors and put the pressure Celtic
You’ve obviously never seen Clydebank play, haha
Yeah wasn’t our greatest day on Sunday
Which Ligue 1 games are you picking Greg?
Celtic blacklisted
you get up to and including 15th minute on William hill