THERE looks to be no stopping Celtic as we enter a crucial phase in the title race.
Neil Lennon’s side made it 11 domestic wins in a row since losing to Livingston when they won at Hearts on Wednesday.
It doesn’t matter how they play – if it’s good, bad or ugly they still get the job done.
Rangers and Hamilton are among the sides in recent weeks who would say they didn’t get what they deserved but Celtic know grafting is more important than dazzling.
Next up are Aberdeen today and while meetings at Pittodrie have been thrill a minute in recent seasons it’s been different in Glasgow.
The last four have totalled four three goals – a 0-0, two 1-0 Celtic wins and a 1-0 defeat.
Celtic’s last four matches have finished 2-0, 2-0, 0-2 (Cluj) and 1-0 so statistically Celtic and under 2.5 goals looks on at 12-5 with Coral.
In recent seasons the Dons have been the Hoops’ closest challengers but already trail by 14 points and third spot has to be their aim.
Celtic are a best 1-4 at Ladbrokes with the Dons as big as 14-1 at bet365.
Odsonne Edouard and Ryan Christie have been bagging most of the champ’ goals and it could be Christie on target against a side where he had a successful loan spell.
Christie, with 18 goals already, is 9-2 with bet365 to score first and 6-5 to net at anytime.
Elsewhere in the Premiership, it could be a day of unders instead of Christmas crackers.
Hearts are targeting the top six but should be looking to avoid the drop. New boss Daniel Stendel has started with two defeats and no goals and heads to a Hamilton side one goal worse off than the Tynecastle men.
This is likely to be a proper battle and while a draw at 12-5 with McBookie shouts out I don’t think Accies will lose on the plastic and I’m on the double chance at 7-9 with sportingbet. Another big game at the bottom sees St Johnstone entertain a St Mirren side with whom they are locked on 15 points.
The Perth men have kept back-to-back clean sheets for the first time and face a side who have failed to net on three visits to Perth.
I don’t like sitting on the fence but again this has the feel of a draw at 5-2 with McBookie.
Managerless Killie have Alex Dyer in caretaker charge at home to Motherwell and we could see a reaction from players who seem to have been unhappy under Angelo Alessio. Killie could be worth a look at 7-5 with bet365.
In the Championship the big games is Dundee United v Ayr with the Tangerines closing in on the title – 13 points ahead of Inverness and 14 clear of Ayr.
Robbie Neilson’s men have won eight out of eight at home and I’m on them to make it nine in a row at a best 3-5 with Betway.
Lawrence Shankland goes up against his old team and I’m on him to score first at 7-2 at betfair.
In League One I’m back on the Airdrie bandwagon after their winning run ended at Raith last week. The Diamonds are 13-10 with Sky Bet at a Clyde side that’s sunk to third bottom. I also like leaders Raith at at home to Dumbarton.
Edinburgh City looks the best bets in League Two at 23-20 with bet365 away to Stirling.
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Recommended Bets
- Celtic & under 2.5 goals (5-2, Coral)
- Christie to score (6-5, bet365)
- Hamilton not to lose (7-9, sportingbet)
- Shankland (Ayr) to score first (7-2, betfair)
- Airdrie (13-10, Sky Bet)
- Edinburgh City (23-20, bet365)
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.
