I TIPPED Aberdeen to win the Scottish Premiership without Celtic but their bid got off to a terrible start with Sunday's 3-0 defeat at home to Dundee United.
Aberdeen were described as “leggy” by boss Derek McInnes after their loss and while that's difficult to understand for those who work long hours at the coalface they did put a lot into their Europa League clash with Real Sociedad.
The Dons should have recovered and I expect them to bounce back at a Kilmarnock side who were happy enough to draw 1-1 at Dundee. Killie face a season of struggle without Kris Boyd – and replacement Lee Miller isn't fit yet – so I'm on Aberdeen at 11-10 (general) and hopefully they don't let me down this time.
Adam Rooney has already scored four goals away from home this season and is 21-10 to score in an away win.
Killie's new plastic puts a slight doubt in my mind but players these are getting more used to performinging on synthetic surfaces as their use increases.
Aberdeen were all the rage in the Premiership betting without Celtic but Dundee Utd gave the market an unexpected kick on Sunday.
Their 3-0 was the performance of the weekend as Jackie McNamara's men showed they can still be a force without the likes of Andy Robertson, Ryan Gauld and Gavin Gunning.
Last season's runners-up Motherwell also opened with three points and their trip to Tannadice tonight is the highlight of a full Premiership card. United by all accounts could have dumped the Dons by more than three while Well edged past St Mirren 1-0 at home.
The Terrors look the shout to maintain their maximum run and are 23-20 (general). Nadir Ciftci was on the target on Sunday and I'm on the Turkish hitman to score first at 6-1 with Ladbrokes and William Hill.
Champions Celtic launch their campaign at St Johnstone and it should be a cracking contest between two sides who have racked four European games each.
Saints started with a super 2-1 win at Ross County and are likely to give Ronny Deila a serious test as he tries to win back fans' faith after the Legia Warsaw debacle.
With a weakened side from last season the jury's out on Celtic and I don't fancy them at a best 11-20 at McBookie. Of the new boys winger Alex Tonev is carrying a knock while young centre-half Jason Denayer, on loan from Man City, is available to start.
Last term Celtic drew 3-3 and won 1-0 at McDiarmid so it should be close again and while Saints have lost Stevie May they could force a draw as Deila attempts to find his feet.
The stalemate pays 10-3 at bet365 while Saints are 7-1 at William Hill to notch a shock success. A might I'll consider is Saints plus two at 4-7 with boylesports.
Kris Commons has failed to score while coming close on several occasions and he could be the shout for first goal at 4-1 with bet365.
In the absence of May it's Stevie MacLean who is the Perth men's biggest threat and he is 3-1 at Betfred and bet365 to score at any time.
I tipped Hamilton for relegation and they failed to get off to a flier as they crashed at home to Inverness. Next up it's a visit to St Mirren and no points from their first two games would be a bit of a disaster for Alex Neil's men.
But that's how it could transpire and Saints, whose display with 10 men hailed at the weekend, could edge this at 23-20 with William Hill and McBookie.
Having taken care of Hamilton it's another promoted club Dundee for Inverness and it could be another three points for John Hughes's men who are 11-10 at McBookie and Paddy Power.
ICT looked good at the weekend and star striker Billy Mckay is 4-1 at McBookie to bag the opener after hitting the first at New Douglas Park – he's netted in his last four meetings with Dundee and is 7-4 at William Hill to net in an Inverness win.
It could be Mckay's last game with Eintracht Frankfurt the latest club in for the Northern Ireland striker after Fleetwood had a bid turned down.
Finally, Partick Thistle open their account at home to Ross County and I'm on a score draw at 23-10 at Coral. Three of the matches between these sides last season produced at least four goals and four or more in the match pays 11-4 at William Hill.
Recommended Bets
Dundee Utd
(23-20, various)
St Mirren
(23-20, William Hill, McBookie)
St Johnstone +2
(4-7, boylesports)
Mckay to score first
(4-1, McBookie)
In December 2020 we sadly 
A btts treble will do fr me tonight a cant c by stjohnstone. Dundee utd and partick games gl all.
ST JOHNSTONE VS CELTIC TIPS
Celtic played poor in Europe but I expect them to get their league campaign off to a great start by picking up all 3 points. Looking at the Goalscorer market I’m going with midfielder Nir Biton. He’s yet to score for Celtic but for his previous club Ashdod he scored 14 goals in 123 appearances. I agree that this is not great record but it shows that he does get on the score sheet and at 6ft 5 he’s always going to pose a threat with set pieces. It looks as though he’s going to be handed a start and it’s only a matter of time before he scores. He’s as short as 14/1 for first goal and 5/1 anytime but Coral are offering 33/1 and 12/1. I’ll also be having a bet on Van Dijk anytime @ 7/1.
Recommended Bets:
Nir Biton First Goalscorer 33/1 @ Coral
Nir Biton Anytime Goalscorer 12/1 @ Coral
Van Dijk Anytime Goalscorer 7/1 @ Coral
Good luck everyone
Afternoon gents – it’s a case of should wins in the SPL tonight! Was going to do a write up but Mr F has already covered the games and has similair thoughts
Aberdeen to beat Kilmarnock 10/11
St Mirren to beat Hamilton 21/20
Dundee Utd V Motherwell KO 7.45pm
The Arabs let many a coupon down in Sunday when they stunned Aberdeen 3-0! What’s was more surprising was the fact they kept a clean sheet! Their first in 17 matches! Motherwell wedged it against St Mirren on Saturady bit on paper you’d expect Utd to win! Ciftci again nooks like he is going to have another cracking season!
Meetings beaten these two recently have been goal crazy! 22 goals in the last 5 meetings with the last 4 all seeing over 3.5! Should be goals again tonight!
Back over 2.5 goals 4/7
Dundee United over 1.5 team goals 4/6
Missed the biat here as over 2.5 would have been bigger last night! Not going to let the price put me off posting it
Greg great write up as usual, what you think of the Ciftci first goalscorer or anytime scorer at 9/2 or 6/5?