WITH just three or four games to go for most clubs the race for a top-six finish is starting to hot up and Scottish bookies McBookie think it will be a fight between Dundee and Motherwell for the final slot.
The firm make Ross County and St Johnstone 4-11 to cement their top-six places with Dundee and Motherwell both 10-11.
Both have tough tests this weekend with Motherwell entertaining Aberdeen and Dundee at Dundee United in the derby on Sunday.
McBookie spokesman Paul Petrie said: “Things are so tight for the top-six places and it is made even more interesting by the fact a lot of the teams still have to play each other.”
Best bets in the Premiership today are Hearts who have kept seven clean sheets in their last eight games and four in a row in Gorgie and I'm confident about them at St Johnstone today with a best price of 21-10 from Paddy Power to win to nil fairly attractive.
Just to win the Jambos are evens at William Hill and midfielder Jamie Walker, who has netted in four of his last five, is 3-1 at bet365 to score again.
Aberdeen are nine points clear but Hearts have a game in hand with two meetings to follow so still have an outside chance of finishing second.
It took me a long time to be convinced Leicester can be crowned champions – and the Dons are yet to win me over.
Derek McInnes's side have performed brilliantly to keep Celtic in their sights and if they match the Hoops up to the split then beat them at Parkhead after it the title race will go to the last day.
There are a lot of ifs in there and it's important to remember the champions have a game in hand at Dundee.
Celtic look a shoe-in at Kilmarnock and while Aberdeen face the tougher test on paper at Mark McGhee's Motherwell the Fir Park men could be short-handed after a sickness bug swept through the club.
The Dons look decent at a shade of odds on at 10-11 at William Hill and Ladbrokes. Motherwell are a best 14-5 at sportingbet and 10-11 with Ladbrokes and bet365.
I'd wait for teams and if Motherwell are seriously weakened go for Aberdeen -1 at 2-1 with Paddy Power.
Killie have been a bit of a bogey side for Celtic this season with a 0-0 draw at Parkhead followed by a 2-2 at Rugby Park. The Glasgow side though usually enjoy their trips to Kilmarnock with no defeats in their last 11.
Lee Clark is still searching for his first point in charge and I don't think he'll get it today. Celtic are 1-4 at Coral so there's no value and backing them -1 is risky.
So let's go with old favourite Leigh Griffiths at 13-5 with Paddy Power to break the deadlock.
Elsewhere in the Premier League there is a huge Highland derby between League Cup winners Ross County and Scottish Cup holders Inverness.
County look to have the edge here against a side who will be reeling after a midweek cup defeat at home to Hibs ended their reign. I like County at 23-20 with William Hill and both teams should score at 10-11 with William Hill and bet365.
Hamilton v Partick Thistle is tough to call but best bet could be under 2.5 goals at 3-4 with bet365.
In the Championship I'd worry about Hibs' energy levels after a big week and I'm tempted by Raith not to lose at 11-10 with Paddy Power.
There was talk of Hibs resting players but I don't think Alan Stubbs can do that after Falkirk's incredible comeback to beat Rangers last night leaves them five points clear in second.
Morton look banker material at 8-15 with McBookie and William Hill to beat Alloa at home.
Bets to Consider
Hearts
Hearts to win to nil
Aberdeen -1
Griffiths to score first
Ross County
Raith not to lose
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.
