Scottish Championship champions St Johnstone mark their return to the Premiership on Sunday afternoon as they welcome Kilmarnock to McDiarmid Park.
St Johnstone made an immediate return to the Premiership after clinching the Championship title last season, eventually finishing 11 points clear of nearest challengers Partick Thistle.
Therefore, survival will be the main objective for the Perth outfit this season, but they have already made a poor start to the new campaign after being eliminated in the group stages of the League Cup.
Simo Valakari’s men had won each of their opening two group-stage matches against Linlithgow Rose and Greenock Morton, but a defeat at League One champions Inverness CT and a draw at home to third-tier East Fife saw them finish in third spot.
Kilmarnock looked in serious trouble last season, but a strong end to the campaign – including a run of four straight victories – saw them finish in 10th position, six points clear of the relegation playoff spot.
Despite drawing two of their group stage matches, Neil McCann’s visitors still topped their League Cup group, setting up a home tie against bitter rivals Ayr United in a fortnight’s time.
How the bookies view it: St Johnstone favourites
Perhaps surprisingly, St Johnstone have been chalked up as favourites to make a winning return to the Scottish top flight, with bet365 pricing a home success at 6/5.
Killie are 11/5 to claim a fifth consecutive victory in the Premiership, whilst the draw is 12/5.
Head to head: Killie with the recent upper hand
Kilmarnock have been victorious in four of their last six meetings with St Johnstone, winning each of the last two.
Players to watch: More joy for Joe?
Joe Hugill ended last season strongly for Killie, as he scored five goals across the final four fixtures of the campaign, including back-to-back braces against Kilmarnock and Livingston.
The Manchester United academy graduate has already opened his account in the group stages of the League Cup, and is an appealing 6/5 to Score or Assist in Perth on Sunday.
Predicted line-ups:
St Johnstone: Steward, Smith, Diabate, Mitchell, Foulds, McAlear, Holt, Chalmers, Gullan, Stanton, Paton
Kilmarnock: Stryjek, Schjonning-Larsen, Schilte-Brown, Deas, Bowie, O’Hara, Rice, Kiltie, Ring, Hugill, John-Jules
Anything else catch the eye?
Kilmarnock finished the Premiership season strong by recording four straight victories – including wins away at St Mirren (0-3) and Livingston (1-4) – and definitely look the value play at 11/5.
However, I’m happy to go for the safer option and back them +0.25 on the Asian Handicap at 37/40 at bet365, meaning if the game ends in a draw we will receive a half-stakes winner.
Killie’s four League Cup matches produced a measly two goals – and given Under 2.5 Goals landed in 3/4 of the Saints clashes in the same competition – I like the look of the 1/1 on offer at bet365 for Under 2.5 Goals.
GambleAware