THE only online bookmaker listing first-scorer prices on all SPFL games are McBookie .com.
It’s a great service they provide and we’ve teamed up with the Scots firm to look at some of the best bets from the Scottish Premiership.
Here is McBookie.com’s Damian Walker with his latest selections.
He says: “St Mirren’s Jon Obika did the business for this column for the second weekend running with the opening goal for the Buddies but more of him later.
“I’m starting this week tipping Dundee United who I was extremely impressed with against Celtic last weekend.
“I thought Micky Mellon’s side would really struggle this campaign having had an easy time of it last season in what was a poor Championship.
“But the level of commitment from the players was second to none at Tannadice as they chased down every ball and were extremely well organised defensively.
“They even carved out a few chances themselves and with main striker Lawrence Shankland out injured they failed to take them.
“On Saturday they get a really good test of just where they are in the Premiership with a trip Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock.
“I don’t want to sound like Chris Sutton but I’m not a fan of artificial pitches. Sutton has aesthetic arguments against 4G but mine are purely betting related as I’ve lost count of the number of times I fancied away sides only to see them flounder on the “plastic”.
“But I still think Dundee United are an excellent price at 11-5 even allowing for the inherent advantage the home side has.
“Shankland seems likely to be missing again on Saturday as he tries to recover from an ankle injury so I’m going for Nicky Clark who already has two goals this season – one of which was the winner against Ross County.
“Clark is also on the pens in the absence of Shankland and is 5-1 with McBookie to open the scoring.
“My second selection is Hibs who have been successfully tipped here a number of times already this season – just without a first scorer to go with the win!
“Their injury-time winner against St Johnstone last weekend was McBookie’s worst result of the weekend – even allowing for Bayern Munich’s Champions League Final victory later in the day.
“Punters seem to have cottoned on to Jack Ross’ side’s continuing improvement, especially at the back.
“Hibs have conceded just two goals this season and none in their last five hours of football with three clean sheets on the bounce.
“Last season under Ross, Hibs kept just four clean sheets in his 22 games in charge. Clearly work has been done and it is paying dividends as the Hibees are second in the table on goal difference.
“Ross’ side have even taken over from Aberdeen as favourites in the betting without Celtic and Rangers and on Sunday they get the chance to test the strength of that market with the visit of the Dons to Easter Road.
“With Aberdeen having their Europa League exertions on Thursday night most likely still in their legs, a fresh Hibs side look good value at 11-8 to take all three points and maintain their unbeaten record.
“Christian Doidge already has a great scoring record at Hibs with 14 goals from 29 appearances and has scored twice this season. The 9-2 with McBookie about him being the game’s first scorer looks good.
“Finally, returning to Obika and his St Mirren side I don’t think the bookies have got the Buddies yet, because I can’t see how they are 5-2 to win at St Johnstone.
“So for the third week running I’m weighing in with Obika to net first at 5-1 with McBookie.”
Damian's Diamonds
- Clark (Dundee Utd) 5-1
- Doidge (Hibs) 9-2
- Obika (St Mirren) 5-1
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.
