HAMILTON start life without Alex Neil tonight as they tackle nearest rivals Dundee United.
Neil as well all know made a flying start in charge of Norwich at the weekend and the big questions is: How will Accies cope without him?
Players and fans have been on a magical journey under Neil, winning the play-offs last season and marching to the top of the Premier League, beating Celtic at Parkhead on the way.
They now sit third and Neil's left them in rude health – but what's next for the club? Players were in tears when their gaffer, colleague and mentor told them he was heading down south and Neil was such an inspiration you have to wonder if performance level will suffer.
Continuity isn't an issue with skipper Martin Canning being named caretaker boss but Accies have lost a key player as well as a gaffer and face a tough test against a Dundee United side sitting just one point behind them in the table.
If Neil was in charge I'd be on an Accies side who have suffered just one defeat at home and who mauled Motherwell 5-0 last time out. United's away form is patchy with four wins and five defeats but they usually carry a goal threat.
So best best could be to go for goals with both to score a best 13-19 at 888sport and over 2.5 goals a better price at 5-6 with McBookie and BetVictor.
Just to win Accies are 29-20 at McBookie and BetVictor with United 2-1 at Stan James and the draw 13-5 with McBookie.
If you fancy the draw consider a small stake on a scoring stalemate at 18-5 with McBookie and BetVictor.
Mickael Antoine-Curier is 13-2 at McBookie and BetVictor to score first but the Accies player in hot form is Tony Andreu who is 7-1 to break the deadlock and 9-4 at Paddy Power to net at any time.
Nadir Ciftci is the most likely United scorer at 11-2 with McBookie and 15-8 at Betfred to score.
Recommended Bets
Over 2.5 goals
(5-6, McBookie, BetVictor)
Andreu (Hamilton)
(9-4, Paddy Power)
I like the look of Hamilton DNB @ 1.73
Not a tip, but could be worth a point or 2.
Jamie, as I say we’re kind of guessing how they’ll do without Neil. Over 2.5 goals is my main bet on the game.
Yeah that’s very true, I’ll be on that bet as well!
this is a game of many imponderables.
will accies continue their fine form without their general on the touchline.
they have lost only 1 at home and that was the 1st game of the season.
have concede only 6 in 9 home league games
drew 2-2 at Dundee united.
united win only 1 of their last 6 away league games, and that was at ross, who are pants.
united kept only 2 clean sheets away in the league.
if accies are not affected by their manager leaving they are more than capable of getting a score draw here at least, and given their good defence at home cant see united scoring more than 2.
my pick is both teams to score and draw which is about 3-1
Dundee United – Draw No Bet @11/10
Guys what do u think of these: Dundee utd win or draw double chance
Swindon win
Rayo vallecano win or draw DC
The main concern is how poorly Dundee United perform on plastic pitches. They were awful when losing to Kilmarnock with John Rankin admitting the players found it difficult to cope with the surface.
Goals is 100% safest bet tonight. Both to score and over 2.5 goals is evens at William Hill
Dazinho, it’s a fair point but I think that was just an excuse. Celtic played fine on Killie’s pitch last week and actually praised it after the game.
This is true Mr F but different players can adapt to conditions better than others. Celtic have had more experience on testing surfaces and conditions in Europe which may explain their ease with it.
In truth there are so many variables in this game it’s a bit of a minefield hence why goals is the popular choice I think. Good Luck with the betting everyone :)
What a free kick by Garcia!! Great way to win a bet, good shout Mr F!
Wicked shout to Mr F your a legend!