FESTIVE cheer was in short supply at Aberdeen across Christmas and New Year as Jim Goodwin’s men slumped from one bad result to another.
The Dons have taken just one point from their last five league games so under-pressure boss Goodwin desperately needs to deliver a victory at home to St Johnstone today.
The Red Army are growing restless but it looks like the board have faith in the Irishman, having released the funds to sign Graeme Shinnie and Patrik Myslovic on Thursday.
After leaking eight goals in three games, Goodwin managed to shore things up when Ross County came first footing.
But his strikers also drew a blank and that stalemate against the team propping up the table was a missed opportunity to get back on track.
Now Aberdeen will need to break down a Saints side who also had a bad run of results over the festive fixtures.
Having gone six unbeaten to move into the top six, it’s now three defeats in a row for Callum Davidson’s men.
St Johnstone drew a blank last time out at home to Dundee United but BTTS has happened in six of their last seven matches.
That bet pays evens at William Hill today and I also like the 7/5 on offer at McBookie for either side to win by a one-goal margin.
Ryan McGowan is usually good value for a card with the Saints star picking up seven yellows in his last 13 outings. The Aussie is 6/4 with Bet365 for a card today.
Hearts have taken advantage of Aberdeen’s slump to move five points clear of the Dons in third place.
A 3-0 derby win on Monday made it five matches unbeaten for the Jambos but they face a tough test on the road at St Mirren today.
The Buddies have also gone five games without tasting defeat, although four of those games have ended in draws.
Stephen Robinson’s men have lost just once at home in the league all season with even Celtic and Rangers unable to get the better of them. The stalemate looks tempting at 12/5 with McBookie but I’m going to play it a bit safer and back the half-time draw at 23/20 with the same firm.
St Mirren have been involved in some fiery games of late, with red cards flashed in their last three matches against Aberdeen, Livingston and Kilmarnock.
That makes the card markets worth a look and I like the 15/8 on offer at Bet365 for Cammy Devlin to fall foul of the referee as the Hearts star is always in the heat of the battle.
Celtic emerged from Ibrox with their nine-point lead still intact and can now move 12 clear today with a Parkhead win over struggling Kilmarnock.
Jota has started on the bench for the last three games but remains Celtic’s most creative player so I’ve a feeling he will start today against a Killie side set to defend deep.
The Portuguese winger is 20/21 with McBookie for anytime scorer.
Ange Postecoglou’s men are always good value for corners and backing Celtic at -7 in the handicap pays a best 6/5 with Unibet.
The other game today sees Ross County host Livingston and I fancy the half-time draw at evens with McBookie.
Rangers have yet to taste defeat under Michael Beale and will take a lot of heart from their second-half display against Celtic.
But it remains to be seen how the blow of conceding a late leveller will affect them and the Ibrox side face a tough road trip tomorrow against revitalised Dundee United.
The Tangerines have lost just one of their last five games and have the attacking players to cause Gers some problems.
I’m going for over 1.5 first-half goals in this one at 6/4 with Paddy Power.
Two teams in woeful form also face off tomorrow as Hibs head to Motherwell. Despite losing heavily at Tynecastle, the Hibees played well in the second half so I’m going to back them for a Fir Park win at 6/4 with McBookie.
Scottish Premiership Tips
- Super singles BTTS at Pittodrie (evs, William Hill)
- Devlin card (15/8, Bet365)
- Jota anytime scorer (20/21, McBookie)
Hibs win at M’Well (6/4, McBookie)
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.
