THE new Scottish Premiership season opens tonight at 7.45 with an interesting clash between Partick Thistle and Dundee Utd.
Last season Jackie McNamara put the Jags on the road to promotion before jumping ship to Tannadice in what was an acrimonious departure.
He's since returned to take Thistle's star men Chris Erskine and Paul Paton north so he'll receive the kind of reception Mo Bangura got at Celtic Park on Wednesday when he takes his seat in the dugout.
And the Thistle fans could dislike their old boss even more when he also leaves Maryhill with three points. United have lost loads of goals in the shape of Johnny Russell and Jon Daly but Erskine will contribute and David Goodwillie is back at the ground where he made his name before an ill-fated move to Blackburn.
On his day Goodwillie can perform and he is 13-2 at BetVictor to bag the opener tonight. Erskine is 14-1 at bet365 but I'm focusing on the player whose hopes United will rest with in the absence of Russell.
Gary Mackay-Steven is a born entertainer with a decent goals ratio and he'll relish the chance to perform under the spotlight tonight. Back him to score first at 10-1 with William Hill and BetVictor or 7-2 with Betfred at anytime.
Thistle's side is much-changed under Alan Archibald but they've struggled to score pre-season and without Erskine could do so tonight. It could take time for the new boys to gel so I'm on United at 13-8 with William Hill.
Recommended Bets
Dundee Utd
(13-8, William Hill)
Mackay-Steven to score
(7-2, Betfred)
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.
SCOTLAND BASED ON STATS.
If one would have placed his Scottish first round bets the last five seasons like the following 27 out 30 would have been won. And a 7.36% profit at average odds would have been made. Only three lost.
Betting the favourites would have given a 2% loss, the draw a 12.8% profit and we would be much better of by staying away from the underdogs. Only one out of 30 underdogs won!
Partick – Dundee U.
Dundee +0 (Draw No Bet)
1,67
Aberdeen – Kilmarnock
Aberdeen +0
1,35
Inverness – St. Mirren
Inverness +0
1,38
Celtic – Ross County
Celtic
1,24
Hibs. – Motherwell
Motherwell +0
1,60
St. Johnstone – Hearts
St. Johnstone +0
1,40
The Dane.
The dane I agree with these predictions… Apart from the st Johnstone one !!!!