Ayr v Inverness
Scottish Championship. Friday, December 7. KO 7.45pm. Live on BT Sport 2
AYR have been one of the phenomenons of the season – and Lawrence Shankland one of the players of the season in Scotland.
Ian McCall's promoted side sit proudly at the top of the Championship and in Shankland have a prized asset who has smashed in 26 goals.
I'm slightly nervous writing this preview after tipping Ayr to lose at Dundee United last Friday. But that was a freak result with United having been unbeaten under new boss Robbie Neilson who picked up the Manager of the Month award after losing 5-0 at home and that must be a first.
I wonder if the trophy's in his display cabinet or if it went straight into the Tay!
After Friday night's super show Ayr are back on the telly this Friday with Inverness the visitors.
And they will attract admirers at 19-20 with 888sport as anyone who saw them blow away United will lump on.
I can't back against the Honest Men but you have to remember Inverness have lost just one in 27.
They suffered a first defeat of the season last Saturday at home to Falkirk and that was a poor result but bounced back to hammer Edinburgh City 6-1 in their Scottish Cup replay on Tuesday.
There is no doubt though this will be John Robertson's side's biggest test of the season and if Shankland's on fire there will be only one winner.
I'm sure the savvy Robbo will task his experienced defenders with stopping Shankland at all costs but most teams have failed with that policy.
Ayr were tipped to win the league by many including Johnb at the start of the season – some of the reasoning was because there weren't any outstanding teams and 66-1 was worth the gamble.
Anyone with 66-1 should be studying cover options because if Shankland leaves in January – as he is likely to do – Ayr are almost certain to slip back. Ideally for them he signs a pre-contract and moves in the summer.
But Shankland might not get this chance again. He's on a rich vein of form and has to cash in on his big chance.
He's 23 and had loan spells at Dunfermline, St Mirren and Morton – 21 goals in 58 starts – but being freed by Aberdeen seems to have given him a new lease of life.
Against Dundee United he was outstanding and it's difficult not to back him at to score first or to net at any time. He is 12-5 to break he deadlock and no bigger than 8-13 to net at any time. An alternative is Michael Moffat, another useful marksman, at 6-1.
There are no 888sport scorer prices yet but I'm sure they'll be added to the site later.
Inverness lie fourth but are a massive 11 points behind Ayr and after too many draws this season the best they can hope for is a play-off spot. They are 14-5 to win with 888sport while a draw pays 47-20.
It was 0-0 when they met in the Highlands in August but recently both teams have been scoring plenty – Ayr have eight in two and ICT 11 in five so there should be goals and over 2.5 pays 4-5 at 888sport.
Recommended Bets
- Ayr (19-20, 888sport)
- Shankland to score first (12-5)
- Over 2.5 match goals (4-5, 888sport)
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.
