KevMac brings us his weekly round up of the best bets in this weekend's Scottish Premiership card.
Livingston v Motherwell
WE’RE just a few weeks into the new season but today’s clash between Livingston and Motherwell already looks massive for both clubs.
Travelling Well fans booed boss Graham Alexander as their side crashed out of the League Cup at Dens Park last week.
That anger had been simmering since an embarrassing 2-0 loss to Lanarkshire rivals Airdrie in the group stage and Well’s only victory in their last five games has come against lowly Annan Athletic.
It was always going to be a tough start to the season for Alexander after losing the spine of his team in the summer when Allan Campbell, Declan Gallagher and Devante Cole moved on.
But he needs to mastermind some victories to get the punters off his back.
Livingston have started the league with defeats to Rangers and Aberdeen but looked more like themselves last weekend when they knocked St Mirren out of the League Cup on penalties.
Today’s clash is a tough one to call so I’m steering clear of backing a winner and going for goals instead as the three meetings last term produced 10 strikes.
Over 2.5 goals pays 13/10 at Bet365 while both teams to score is odds-on at most firms but 11/10 with Mansionbet.
There’s not much between the sides so any victory is likely to be narrow and a one-goal winning margin for either team pays 5/4 at McBookie.
Livi’s Bruce Anderson looks the best shout for a goal at 7/4 with the same firm.
Celtic v St Mirren
The other Premiership game today sees St Mirren head to Celtic Park and the Buddies are as big as 19/2 (Betfair).
Ange Postecoglou’s Hoops are in fine form with the midweek win over Alkmaar making it five wins in a row. Goals look guaranteed under the Aussie due to his high-risk tactics so over 3.5 strikes stands a chance at 7/5 with Unibet.
The new Hoops boss plays with a lot of width and that has resulted in his side racking up a lot of corners.
Over 10.5 match corners is a decent 49/50 with Unibet and the 13/10 McBookie offer on over 7.5 corners for the Hoops also stands out. I’d expect Postecoglou to make some changes ahead of the return with Alkmaar and I fancy Odsonne Edouard for a goal at evens with BetVictor.
Ross County v Rangers
Rangers let me down on Thursday after I backed them to boost morale by smashing a few goals past Alashkert.
John Lundstram’s first-half red card played a big part in that but Gers still managed to grind out a 1-0 win.
They now head north to Dingwall for a clash with Ross County and it’s a fixture Rangers have bossed, winning the last six meetings without conceding.
Another win to nil tomorrow pays evens with Paddy Power and that looks decent value, despite Steven Gerrard’s side looking out of sorts.
Hearts v Aberdeen
The game of the weekend in Scotland is probably Aberdeen’s trip to Tynecastle.
The Dons made a flying start to the new campaign but have now lost two in a row after their shock league cup defeat at Raith and Euro setback in Qarabag.
Hearts were outclassed by Celtic last weekend but still scored twice so I fancy BTTS in this one (21/20, Mansionbet).
Liam Boyce has five goals already this term and takes penalties for the Jambos so he looks overpriced for another goal at 21/10 (Paddy Power).
St Johnstone v Dundee Utd
St Johnstone face Dundee United tomorrow off the back of another impressive away result in Europe.
The draw with LASK Linz proved Saints remain a tough nut to crack and they look decent value at 19/17 (SBK) to beat a United side who struggled to see off Ayr in the cup last weekend.
Dundee v Hibernian
Goals look the shout as Dundee host Hibs in the live TV game tomorrow and over 2.5 strikes pays 8/9 at SBK.
Both teams to score also appeals at 5/6 with Mansionbet.
Super Singles
- BTTS at Livi (11/10 Mansionbet)
- Over 7.5 Celtic corners (13/10, McBookie)
- Liam Boyce anytime scorer (21/10, Paddy Power)