Aberdeen v Celtic
Scottish Premiership, Wednesday, December 26. KO 2pm. Live BT Sport 2
ABERDEEN were struggling to make the top six a few weeks ago – now they're just three points off the summit.
The Dons have set up a Boxing Day cracker against Celtic and they'll go level with the champions with a victory.
Derek McInnes's men have won four in a row and if it wasn't for a poor record against the Hoops I'd consider backing them at 5-1 at 888sport. Celtic are 1-2 at 888sport
But they've lost five in a row at home to Celtic and this season both meetings have been 1-0 defeats including a Betfred Cup semi-final at Hampden.
Brendan Rodgers has been missing key players such as Odsonne Edouard, Leigh Griffiths, Ryan Christie and Kieran Tierney and while some could be back others will be saved for Rangers on Saturday.
Remarkably these sides haven't drawn in 28 games – six years – so we must be due one and I'm backing the stalemate at 16-5 with 888sport. The Dons are 6-4 not to lose and the Dons draw no bet is 7-2.
Young hitman Sam Cosgrove is in a rich vein of form with six goals in four and is 7-2 to net at any time.
That's the same price as Mikey Johnston who has been leading the line for Celtic in the absence of Edouard and Griffiths – but make sure he starts before backing him.
A third 1-0 win for Celtic this season pays 5-1 at 888sport while not to both teams score is 8-11 – and that's come up six in a row.
It's a bet I don't like backing and if you prefer both teams to score that pays 6-5 but it's difficult to ignore the trend.
The ref for this live TV showdown is Willie Collum and while he's got a reputation for handing out cards as if every day is Christmas he's calmed down a bit.
In his last three Scottish games he's shown four yellows and no reds although in charge of Juventus v Valencia and Red Star v PSG in the Champions League in the past month he handed out 14 yellows.
Collum's given four reds this season and another one at Pittodrie is possible between two fierce rivals.
Recommended Bets
- Draw
- Red card in match
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.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Christie plays through the middle with Rogic who is a nailed on starter in behind him