THERE’S just three games left before the Premiership split and the middle of the table is more tightly packed than the velvet trousers of someone having a mid-life crisis.
Just five points separate fourth-placed Hibs from Aberdeen in 10th and eight teams have a genuine chance of claiming a European slot for next season.
It makes for a thrilling conclusion to the season, especially with Celtic and Rangers slugging it out for the title while Dundee and St Johnstone scrap for survival at the bottom.
While the title and relegation won’t be decided until maybe the final weekend of the season, the scrap for top-six places will hurtle towards a conclusion in the next few weeks.
This weekend’s card could be pivotal and teams will be desperate to clamber a few places up the table before the international break gives them a breather.
The most important clash comes at Pittodrie this afternoon as Aberdeen bid to fire themselves back into the European mix at home to Hibs.
Things haven’t gone to plan so far for Jim Goodwin since taking the reins from Stephen Glass with just two points from his four matches in charge.
But the fixtures have been pretty tough with his side losing at Tynecastle and Ibrox in their last two games.
A lack of firepower cost them in both of those matches and the Dons have scored just twice since the Irishman arrived.
But Goodwin needs to take the shackles off today as only a victory will spark their campaign back to life.
Hibs had also been finding goals hard to come by but new boy Elias Melkersen changed that with a match-winning double against Motherwell in the Cup last weekend.
That made it six games unbeaten for Shaun Maloney’s men but they still looked unconvincing and Well almost forced extra-time despite playing with 10 men for pretty much the entire game.
So I’ve a hunch Aberdeen might get the better of them today and Betfred price them at a tempting 7/5. It should be a close game and that makes a one-goal winning margin for either side appealing at 6/5 with McBookie.
The half-time draw is another good option and that pays 20/21 with the same firm.
Before a ball was kicked I tipped St Mirren for a top-six finish and they are still in the hunt.
A victory over Dundee United today would probably catapult them from ninth into the top half and there were some positive signs despite losing to Hearts in the Cup last week.
One of them was Eamonn Brophy getting back on the scoresheet and the former Scotland striker is 47/20 for a goal today. This has the makings of another tight match and under 2.5 goals is tiny at a best 11/20 with BoyleSports.
The card markets offer better value and United’s Callum Butcher appeals at 13/8 with Bet365 for an 11th card of the season.
Ross County currently sit sixth but the bookies don’t expect them to be there after today’s trip to Parkhead with Celtic as short as 1/8 with Paddy Power for another win.
The Staggies have picked up just two yellows across their last three games so the best strategy could be betting against a busy day for the ref.
Under 3.5 cards pays 49/50 at Unibet while betting against a card for both teams looks great value at 7/4 (Bet365).
Livingston’s place in the top six also comes under threat this afternoon as they face a tough trip to in-form Hearts.
The Jambos were superb in attack against St Mirren last weekend but needed penalties to beat Livi at Tynecastle in the Cup.
BTTS has failed to land in all three meetings this term so betting against it looks wise at 9/10 (BetVictor).
The same bet also appeals as Motherwell visit St Johnstone (3/4, BetVictor) as these teams have lacked a cutting edge in recent weeks.
Rangers head to Dundee tomorrow after coasting to a 3-0 win at Dens in the Cup. Despite their midweek exertions in Europe, another Gers win to nil looks the shout in this one and it pays evens at Betfred.
Super Singles
- One-goal margin at Pittodrie (6/5, McBookie)
- Butcher to be carded (13/8, Bet365)
- Both teams card at Celtic Park? No (7/4, Bet365)
I'm a sports journalist, football tipster and author from Dundee, who is now working in Glasgow. I've covered games at every level, from Junior football to internationals, and still love football even though it has clearly sold its soul. I've been in football tipping since 2018 with the MFT site.
