WITH no Premiership games last week it proved tough to pick winners in Scotland.
The opening of the transfer window contributed to shock results with the likes of Ross County, Ayr, Dundee Utd, Peterhead and Edinburgh City all slipping up.
They were some of the most fancied teams on the coupon and while County were just rubbish at Morton on Friday you could blame Ayr's loss on the absence of Lawrence Shankland and the introduction by Falkirk of five new faces.
Ray McKinnon's signings – he's made eight in total – sparked a massive change in fortunes and the 1-0 win lifted his side above Partick Thistle and off the basement.
The Jags though earned a point at Tannadice in what was a better result for Gary Caldwell's strugglers who have brought in five.
Now the new-look sides meet at Firhill and this should be a 50-50 call by the bookies but it's not.
Thistle are somehow odds on with 188BET going a biggest 11-13 – although they beat today's opponents at home back in August.
That makes the Bairns massive at 10-3 with William Hill and even if you don't have total confidence in them you can have Falkirk draw no bet at 9-4 with William Hill or Falkirk not to lose at 19-20 with McBookie.
It was an “old” face in Zak Rudden who netted last week and while he has been recalled by Rangers after eight goals there is a chance he'll be returned.
The Championship's been tough to call all season and it's no different today. No wonder so many backed five draws when they landed a few weeks ago.
Another five today wouldn't be crazy and if you're trying them perm three, four and five (16 bets). The fivefold pays a best 484-1 at Marathonbet.
Take Inverness v Ayr for example. It was 0-0 in the Highlands earlier in the season and Ayr's goal threat will be blunted again by the absence of Shankland.
Dunfermline have drawn three of their last four and could pick up another point at Tannadice under new boss Stevie Crawford if United don't improve.
Alloa are again holding their own and are unbeaten in five including three 2-2 draws. Morton will be feeling better after beating County but I can't see them winning. Take the Wasps draw no bet at 23-25 with Marathonbet while another 2-2 is 15-1 with McBookie.
County were awful in last Friday's live game on Alba and will need to improve if they're to win at Queen of the South who hit two late goals to nick the points at Inverness.
Queens are big at 3-1 with bet365 and again I'm looking at Queens not to lose at 5-6 with betfair.
In League One Arbroath have maintained their 11-point lead from Raith at the top and Rovers face a tough test at Airdrie today.
The Diamonds have won three in row but have lost three out of four at home to the Kirkcaldy side. Stats say there should be goals with the last four meetings producing 17 goals. Over 3.5 pays 8-13 at betfair or be braver with over 3.5 at 13-8 with the same firm.
Goals have also been a theme at Stenny v Arbroath with four out of five going over 3.5 goals. Stenny have conceded 10 in three so Arbroath and over 2.5 goals looks the best bet at 11-10 with Ladbrokes.
Five points separate the top three in League Two after Edinburgh's form blip coincided with a Clyde revival.
Clyde's win at Peterhead last week was superb but they are no bigger than 2-5 at Berwick while the Blue Toon are 3-10 at Albion Rovers so the double is 4-5 at sportingbet.
If you believe class is permanent take a chance on Edinburgh City at 11-10 with Ladbrokes away to Queen's Park.
Recommended Bets
- Falkirk draw no bet (19-20, McBookie)
- Alloa draw no bet (23-25, Marathonbet)
- QoS not to lose (5-6, betfair)
- Airdrie v Raith over 3.5 goals (8-13, betfair)
- Arbroath & over 2.5 goals (11-10, Ladbrokes)
- Clyde/Peterhead double (4-5, sportingbet)
- Edinburgh City (21-20, Ladbrokes)
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.
