IT'S developed into a fascinating three-way title race but today Rangers can move six points clear of rivals Falkirk and Hibs.
Mark Warburton's rejuvenated side should see off Livingston at home with the minimum of fuss and will be hoping for a draw when the Bairns entertain Hibs.
Let's start with Rangers – last week I said they were best bet of the weekend to win by three or more against Cowdenbeath.
That price started out at evens with Ladbrokes and went off at 1-3 so there must have be some money on Rangers on the handicaps.
Backing them any other way is tough when the highest price on offer is 1-10 at Ladbrokes and William Hill. Since losing at Falkirk Warburton's men have hit 15 goals in three games – the kind of form they displayed at the start of the season.
Livi have already visited Ibrox twice this season – losing 3-0 in the league and 1-0 in the cup. Rangers to win to nil pays 13-20 at McBookie.
Martyn Waghorn and Kenny Miller have notched hat-trick in the last two matches and they are 9-1 and 12-1 at McBookie respectively to repeat the feat.
Falkirk are the league's in-form six wins and two draws in their last eight but Hibs's only recent defeat was at Rangers. Hibs have won four of their last five at Falkirk but this is a tough one to call and I can see the draw that would suit the leaders.
Anyone believe in the true power of stats? If so back under 1.5 goals in the Premiership game between Partick Thistle v Dundee. It's come in six out of seven times at Dens including this season when the visitors won 1-0.
The only time it didn't happen was with a 1-1 draw. To add to the argument for unders Thistle's last four Premiership matches have gone under 1.5 goals but Dundee's have been higher scoring with over 2.5 in their previous four. Under 1.5 goals pays a biggest 12-5 at 888sport.
Talking of stats – Hearts have netted 2+ in both their meetings with Motherwell this season and 2+ in their previous three home games.
Robbie Neilson's men were superb in beating Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup last weekend and it's always difficult to oppose them at Tynecastle.
However, I'm wary of backing the Jambos at a best 3-4 with McBookie and tempted by Motherwell not to lose at 23-20 with bet365.
Well are in great nick under Mark McGhee, unbeaten in six and scoring 17 in those games, and have lost just three of their last 10 in Gorgie.
For me the best bets are goals with Hearts to score 2+ at over 2.5 goals at 20-23 with McBookie.
Kilmarnock are another side in good nick and they can repeat their October home win against Inverness with another one big at 5-2 with 888sport. Prices are so out of cync you can have Killie draw no bet at 6-4 with the same firm.
At Rugby Park Killie's last three wins in this fixture have been 2-0 and that scoreline pays 21-1 at 888sport.
Inverness failed to net in a 0-0 draw at Stirling in the Scottish Cup and while they might have one eye on the replay it was a shoddy show.
St Johnstone have gone right off the boil with no goals in four and just one point in a 0-0 draw against Hearts.
However, maybe they'll find their shooting boots against a Hamilton side they've banged in eight against in two meetings this season – 4-2 away and 4-1 in Perth.
Tommy Wright will also look at Accies' recent results – 1-4 v Annan, 3-3 at Motherwell, 3-4 v Inverness and 0-4 at Dundee – and believe in his hitmen.
There should be goals here and both to score pays 17-20 at McBookie. To net 4+ against Accies for the third time this season you can have a mammoth 11-1 at Coral.
Bets to Consider
Rangers -2
Falkirk v Hibs draw
Hearts v Motherwell btts
Kilmarnock DNB
St Johnstone v Hamilton btts
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.
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Veracruz, s. laguna o2.5mgs 2/1 £2.00
week 3 fri 15th – thurs 21st
starting weekly balance £100
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I’m gonna stick my neck out and say hibs are a great bet on Sunday. 11/10 against any side in that league is a good price apart from the obvious..another big away following for the boys in green and white who don’t give away many goals and have a nack of grinding out results when not at their best. Although the inevitable signing of stokes should keep the strikers on their toes.
Also worth noting in the last meeting between the sides. It finished 1-1 despite Falkirk taking the lead with hibs playing with 10 men for an hour and going down to 9 before equalising with the last kick of the ball..get on the cabbage and ribs people!
And Falkirk beat rangers at home last time…….
Falkirk will win the.
It’s pointless trying to predict the game between Falkirk & Hibs, 1,2,X are all as likely as each other and previous matches against each other goes out the window as Falkirk are unbeaten in 8.
My advice would be not to touch it.
The fact that the 3 predictions on this thread, including Mr Fs, are Falkirk, Hibs, Draw tells you everything.