Celtic v Kilmarnock
Scottish Premiership, Saturday, December 8. KO 3pm
I DON'T know if any other league in the world would offer the leaders at 16-1 away to a team in third.
But that's the Scottish football and the price shows just what a remarkable job Steve Clarke has done in guiding unfashionable Kilmarnock to the top of the table.
His shocktroops lead Rangers and Celtic by one point although both of the Glasgow big guns have games in hand.
I joked about Killie's title credentials in midweek and the big question is: Can they do a Leicester?
Since Clarke arrived performance levels have been exceptional but they don't have a big enough squad or enough money to stay with the big two going down the final straight.
And then there's Clarke who has done an amazing job since taking over last October – in fact over the last 38 games his side have picked up just three points fewer than Celtic.
Killie were 150-1 before going top for the first time since 1965 (after 10+ games) and have been cut to a best 100-1. It's still out of sync with Celtic at a 1-5 with Paddy Power and Rangers 6-1 at 10BET.
Everyone knows Celtic are capable of going on a long winning run but displays against Aberdeen and Motherwell weren't great and maybe they'll improve after the Europa League groups end on Thursday.
We'll get a much better idea of where Killie are when they visit Celtic on Saturday and the champions could have an eye on Thursday's crunch clash with Red Bull Salzburg.
Brendan Rodgers hasn't got the better of Clarke in four meetings – two Killie wins at Rugby Park and two draws at Parkhead – so he'll be desperate to pick up the points.
If I was a Killie fan I'd be considering 16-1 although 888sport at more cautious at 10-1. At those prices you can have Killie +2 at 13-10 with Betway because I don't see them being well beaten.
Killie are 16-5 at 888sport not to lose and on-form Greg Stewart – three goals in the past week – is 5-1 to score and 17-1 to break the deadlock.
Celtic are 1-5 to win and I don't know anyone who will see value in that.
James Forrest was rested at Fir Park and could return all guns blazing. If you're looking for a bet on Celtic consider the wideman at 15-8 to net.
Recommended Bets
- Killie +2 (11-10)
- Stewart to score (5-1)
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.
