I HEARD more than one person back a cap call for Lawrence Shankland last week – and the striker will be the centre of attention today.
Shankland returns to the Ayr club where he made his name last season with 34 goals before joining Dundee United on a free transfer.
He's hit the ground running with 10 in nine games for the Tannadice outfit and we know how much players love scoring against their former clubs … even if they don't always show it.
Shankland's scoring record is better than the likes of Scotland strikers Oli McBurnie and Matt Phillips but could he step up from Championship level and play internationals? I'm not so sure.
There's no doubt he loves the Championship though and is 3-1 at bet65 to score first and 5-6 to net at anytime.
This is second v first and the Tangerines are 7-5 with McBookie to bounce back from a miserable Challenge Cup loss on penalties at home to Arbroath.
It's all about promotion for Robbie Neilson's men and while I think they'll win best bet could be to go for goals.
Ayr have survived the loss of their star man to score eight in four games but their visitors have smashed in 14 so look at both to score at 8-11 with McBookie and over 2.5 goals at 9-10.
Elsewhere in the Championship Dundee can't lose too much ground on the top two and should beat Alloa at home after also suffering a Challenge Cup shocker against Elgin. They are 4-5 with 888sport.
Dunfermline have made a terrible start with two points from 12 and I fancy Inverness to add to their misery at 7-4 with McBookie.
In the Premiership first up it's Hamilton v Celtic and the Hoops should make it five wins out of five.
Never easy after the international break for clubs who've had loads of players away but Neil Lennon has a decent-sized squad and his side are going for five in a row at the Foys Stadium.
Celtic have netted 12 in their last four visits and nine in three matches. They're short to win at 2-11 so consider Celtic and over 2.5 match goals at 4-7 with McBookie.
Rangers v Livingston is second v third and I'm on Steven Gerrard's men to bounce back from their Old Firm defeat.
Steven Gerrard is boosted by the addition of £7million man Ryan Kent and the fact fewer of his players were away on international duty. I reckon it's Alfredo Morelos' turn to start and he is 9-4 with McBookie to break the deadlock. Kent is 5-1 to mark his return with the opener.
Gers are no bigger than 1-5 at McBookie to win so take a chance on them covering the -2 handicap at 9-5 with the Scots firm. Last season it was 4-1 and 3-0 at Ibrox.
Aberdeen should beat St Johnstone at home but 8-13 is a little short and I can see a draw between Ross County and St Mirren.
Killie v Hibs is tough to call but I can see Motherwell adding to Hearts' woes at Tynecastle.
Hearts are still without a win this season – in fact they haven't won in 11 Premiership games – and the pressure is piling on Craig Levein. Motherwell were impressive 3-0 winners against Hibs before the break and are as big as 5-2 at bet365.
In League One it's bottom v top and I fancy East Fife at 6-5 with McBookie at Montrose.
League Two leaders Cove head for second-bottom Brechin and Cove and over 2.5 goals should land again at 11-10 with Paddy Power.
Recommended Bets
- Shankland to score
- Ayr v Dundee Utd over 2.5 goals
- Inverness
- Morelos to score first
- Rangers -2
- Motherwell
- East Fife
- Cove & over 2.5 match goals
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.
