THERE are big live games in England and Scotland today with Arsenal facing Man Utd at 5.30pm and Hearts taking on Rangers at 12.45.
So let's start with the early on that's been tagged a title decider. It's too early of course for that but unbeaten Hearts will move nine points clear of their Ibrox rivals with a win and it's a big gap.
The Jambos won 2-1 at Ibrox earlier in the season with a late winner by Osman Sow but he's a doubt so James Keatings could return to the attack.
Robbie Neilson's men will also miss Prince Buaben but face a Gers side who were poor last week as they drew with Alloa for the second time this season.
Hearts are a best 6-4 with bet365 and Paddy Power and while I believe they can edge it best option could be Hearts draw no bet at 4-5 with Paddy Power.
Ally McCoist's men had been on a great winning run until being stung by the Wasps last week and will have backers at 37-20 with Ladbrokes. The draw pays a best 5-2 at bet365.
McBookie go 5-2 Hearts win and take the title and 9-2 for Rangers to triumph and bag the glory. On the other hand Rangers are 7-1 to lose and win the league – and it's 5-2 for Hearts.
In the evening game I'm on Arsenal to beat Man Utd even though they don't have a good recent record in the fixture – they couldn't even beat Davie Moyes's men.
My reason for backing against United is their huge injury list with Danny Blind definitely out and his absence is a huge blow to Man United. The Dutch star was one of several internationals to return to Old Trafford crocked and boss Louis van Gaal could be without 12 players.
Blind queued up with Angel di Maria, Luke Shaw, David de Gea, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Rafael da Silva, Jonny Evans, Michael Carrick, Ashley Young, Ander Herrera and Radamel Falcao for a shot on the treatment table.
Some of them will play today but van Gaal's squad is wafer-thin and remember United haven't won away and have been to places such as Burnley, Leicester and Sunderland.
The Gunners also have problems with Mikel Arteta, Mesut Ozil, Mathieu Debuchy and Laurent Koscielny out. Danny Welbeck is expected to shake off an injury to start against his former team and Olivier Giroud could be back.
Blind's absence will leave gaps at the back and with Alexis Sanchez in great from playing behind Welbeck and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain be on a high after his goal against Scotland we could see a performance from Arsene Wenger's men.
Arsenal are a best 5-4 at Betfred and can be taken not to lose at a less risky 4-7 with Ladbrokes.
Welbeck is 11-2 at BetVictor to net first while Robin van Persie is 2-1 at Ladbrokes to net on his return to the Emirates.
Recommended Bets
Hearts draw no bet (12.45pm)
(4-5, Paddy Power)
Arsenal (5.30pm)
(5-4, Betfred)
Welbeck to score first
(11-2, BetVictor)
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.
Heart’s and arsenal both winning with all teams scoring looks good bet
Hearts -2
Arsenal-2
Small singles and double y not. Can see Rangers gettin a red and Man U jus being crap
Hearts v rangers Btts 8/11 at hills looks good
I’m backing arsenal to win at 5/4 aswell but I’ve got a feeling I’ll regret that
Should be a cracker of a game in the capital, I will be in the away end not fully confident but I’m hopeful our so called bigger name players get the victory. Kenny Miller could be the difference in a tight game, he still has it and he will relish the big game occasion.
Arsenal are big game bottlers for me. Think it’ll be Utd’s day tomorrow
ARSENAL V UTD
I can see this game being a tight affair and it will be won by the odd goal, if there even is a goal. I dont think it will be the goalfest that many expect and im on under 2.5. Dont like backing them bets, but UTD struggled to break down a poor palace at home and then were happy with a 1-0 in the end, and ARSENAL will not want to lose this one so will be ultra cautious.
Just my thoughts
Paul I hope its not ‘Danny’ Blind as hes atleast 45 lol.
I think Rangers are too big a price to ignore, theres too much focus on last weeks blip and thats all I see it as, before that they won 5 on the bounce scoring 17 and only conceeding 1. They have more experience in the “big” matches and with Hearts missing a couple of key men that should be a blow to them.
I think Rangers will conceed so I like the look of Rangers to win and btts at 4/1 Coral.
Raal, are Buaben and Sow out tomorrow?
Ok Rangers aint playin well but I still think they have the better squad and will revel in the cauldron today.Hearts have been avg in a few of their games ie.Hibs,Alloa & Raith.I think they will score but Gers will score more.So its Btts Rangers win for me.
Arsenal should take care of Man.U. too many players missing for Utd.I don’t think the Arsenal players out comes into it considering they have been out for weeks.Can see Arsenal winning this to nil.
If Rangers were the home team today, the odds would look something like; home win 8/11 and away win 7/2+.
It’s interesting that the bookies are seemingly using Ranger’s historical record as the basis for not separating these sides in the odds. Hearts last couple of matches have seen the goals slow down a little but they’re at home today, are top by a few points and will want to make a point that they’re not just warming the top spot until Rangers come and dethrone them. Therefore, it would seem 8/5 is a decent price..
United are playing well as of late. im going Van Persie anytime – United win.
Mr F skybet evens Hertz draw no bet
On