IT TOOK a while for some shocks to come in the League Cup as the big boys flexed their muscles at the start of the group stage.
But some Premiership sides have copped a bloody nose in the last week or so and now face a fight to avoid a knockout blow.
The team in biggest threat are last season’s finalists Livingston who head into the final round of Group D games sitting third.
I tipped Livi to win at Alloa last weekend but they conceded two late goals and lost 2-1.
David Martindale’s men then followed that up with a 0-0 draw against group leaders Raith before winning 6-5 on penalties to bank an extra point.
But the Lions still sit behind Rovers and today’s opponents Cowdenbeath heading into the last round of games.
Livi are 2/11 hot favourites at McBookie to beat the Blue Brazil but that won’t be enough to bag them top spot if Raith win at home to Alloa.
And Martindale’s men would then face a sweat to see if they qualify as one of the three best second-placed teams.
Cowden kept a clean sheet against Alloa and only conceded once against Raith so there could be value in backing under 3.5 goals at 10/11 with BoyleSports.
Raith know a win at home to Alloa will take them through and John McGlynn’s men are a best 8/13 for a victory at Betfred.
That’s not great value but if you double it with under 2.5 goals the odds increase to 3/1 with McBookie.
John McGlynn’s men were free-scoring last term but drew a blank against Livi and only managed to score once in their win over Cowdenbeath.
The other Premiership side with a bit of work to do are Motherwell who also sit third in Group F after a shock midweek loss to Airdrieonians.
But leaders Queen’s Park have already played all four of their games and Well can jump above them by beating Annan at Fir Park this afternoon.
That still might not be enough to finish top though as second-placed Airdrie will be eyeing a win at Queen of the South who have nothing to play for.
It could come down to goal difference, with the Diamonds two goals better off than Well, so expect Graham Alexander’s men to go all-out attack.
They scored three against Queens last weekend and over 2.5 goals Well goals pays 3/4 at McBookie which is decent for accas. If you want to boost those odds further then over 3.5 goals for the Steelmen is 21/10.
A win is no gimme for Airdrie at Palmerston and the League One side are 12/5 outsiders with McBookie.
BTTS has failed to land in two of Airdrie’s three games and pays a decent 6/4 with McBookie here.
Dundee have maximum points in Group C but still haven’t qualified thanks to the fine form of Forfar who sit just a point behind them.
The teams face off at Dens and it could be worth betting against BTTS as that bet has landed in every Group C game so far, although two have been forfeits.
That bet is only good for accas at 3/4 with McBookie but if you double it with a Dundee win the odds increase to evens.
Group G is set for an exciting finale with one point separating Stranraer, Killie and Clyde.
Kilmarnock host the Blues and a home win to nil appeals at 5/4 at McBookie.
Super Singles
- Under 3.5 goals at Livingston (10/11, BoyleSports)
- BTTS no in Queen of the South v Airdrie (6/4, McBookie)
- Dundee win to nil against Forfar (evens, McBookie)
CONCACAF Gold Cup
It’s quarter-final time in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and tournament favourites Mexico shouldn’t have too much trouble seeing off Honduras this weekend.
The Mexicans topped their group without conceding while Honduras could only finish runners-up behind Qatar.
Another win to nil for Gerardo Martino’s men pays 13/10 at Bet365 and that looks a decent bet.
Qatar netted nine times as they topped Group D so there should be goals when they face El Salvador.
Both teams to score is 17/10 at SportNation while over 2.5 goals is the same price at Unibet.
Backing a lack of action paid off for me last weekend when hosts USA edged a 1-0 win over Canada.
The Yanks now face a Jamaica side who conceded just twice in their group so I fancy under 2.5 goals here at 9/10 with Red Zone.
Canada went through in second place behind the Americans but could be knocked out by Costa Rica who look good value for a win at 17/10 with SBK.
Olympics
THE Olympics are finally underway in Tokyo although Covid-19 has turned the Games into a bit of a farce.
It will be interesting to see how the lack of fans affects competitors who are used to feeding off the roars of a packed stadium on the biggest occasions.
Team GB scooped 27 golds at the 2016 Games but there will be a drop off this time around due to all the disruptions.
William Hill are offering evens on under 13.5 golds for the Brits and that looks pretty decent value.
Andy Murray has ruled at the last two Olympics but heads to Tokyo in bad shape due to injury woes.
He’s 66/1 with McBookie for gold in the tennis and it’s hard to see past Novak Djokovic at a best 7/10 with SBK.
In the women’s football Team GB are 5/1 shots at McBookie to rule the roost.
The USA were favourites for gold but were thrashed 3-0 by Sweden in their Group G opener.
The Netherlands, ranked fourth in the world, could be worth a punt at 9/2 with McBookie.
Brazil have started well in the men’s football, crushing Germany, and are 2/1 with McBookie for gold.
In December 2020 we sadly 
