Saturday’s Top Tips: Celts in A Rush to Tie up the Title

This lunchtime sees Celtic and Rangers meet for a fourth time this season and it could be a decisive one as far as the Cinch Premiership is concerned.

The blue half of Glasgow aren't quite ready to admit that the race for the title is over, despite Celtic's 9 point lead and a vastly superior goal difference, but defeat today would definitely have the fat lady doing a soundcheck.

The Hoops have had the upper hand in derbies this season, winning comfortably 4-0 at Celtic Park, grabbing a 2-2 draw at the start of the year at Ibrox and picking up the first piece of silverware in a 2-1 League Cup final victory at Hampden.

And with no away fans to embolden Michael Beale's men at Celtic Park this lunchtime it's hard to make a case for anything other than a Hoops victory.

Seldom have both sides gone in to the fixture in such winning form. Rangers remain unbeaten in the league under Beale, only Celtic have blemished his impressive Premiership record of 14 wins and a draw since his arrival. Indeed, it's a measure of the relentless form the Bhoys have shown that Rangers have failed to close the gap on their rivals in that time.

Undoubtedly Rangers have improved under Beale but it's Celtic's 4-0 win in this fixture back in September that will have given their fans a sleepless night last night. Celtic lost Kyogo through injury a matter of minutes in to that one but blew Rangers away in a devasting first 45 in which they race in to a three-goal lead. That fast start has become a trademark of Ange Postecoglou's side and we should probably expect to see the same again today.

Celtic have found the net inside the first 15minutes in 50% of their Premiership matches this season and they've scored inside the first 10 minutes in four of the last seven meetings between the sides. Another early goal today pays 5/1, while a goal for either side in the first 10 is 3/1.

Kevin Clancy is the man in the middle and he's brandished a league-high, six red cards in the Premiership to date. There's not been a red card in the last 8 clashes between the two – there were five in the eight previous to that – so if you think there's one overdue you can have 5/2 on someone taking an early bath.

Aberdeen have been backed to win at home to Kilmarnock later in the day . The visitors have yet to record an away league win all season whilst resurgent Aberdeen have been given a new lease of life under temporary manager Barry Robson. The Dons have closed the gap on Hearts to just one point and have been pretty solid at home where they've won 10 of 15. At the time of writing they're 8/11 but will probably go off even shorter so get on early.

Motherwell are another team on the up under a new gaffer. Stuart Kettlewell has guided the Steelmen to four wins, a draw and a solitary defeat (at home to Rangers) since he took up the hotseat at Fir Park, sterring them clear of relegation concerns. They host a Livingston side who's season looks in danger of fizzling out.

Livi's only win in seven was against Ross County and they're now in danger of missing out on a top six finish. Well were 23/20 earlier in the week but now in to 11/10. Still backable at that price though.

In the Championship Hamilton can boost their survival chances against a hapless Cove Rangers who have been free-falling down the table. Cove were 10 points ahead of the Accies when Jim McIntyre departed to be replaed by Paul Hartley, defeat today would see them fall five points behind and in big, big trouble.

Hamilton were thumped 7-0 by Dundee in the wake / hangover of their Scottish Challenge Cup success but bounced back with a win over Raith Rovers in midweek and can add another three points at 11/10. They're the same price to score two or more and the way Cove ship goals that's a good option too.

In League One Dunfermline can take themselves to the brink of the title with a win at second placed Falkirk. The Bairns are winless in four and now nine points behind the Pars who'd love nothing more than to wrap up the title in style. 7/4 on the away win is tempting.

In the Premier League only Arsenal and Manchester City have won more points than Aston Villa since Unai Emery arrived at Villa Park. They made it three victories in a row with a late winner at Leicester City in midweek and on current form should take care of business against a Nottingham Forest side who have the worst away record in the division. A Villa win combined with Over 1.5 match goals pays 1/1.

Newcastle will be popular with punters too at 21/20 after their win over Manchester United and a 5-1 hammering of West Ham which made it 12 unbeaten in the capital for the Eddie Howe's men. But Brentford are enjoying a brilliant season and their defeat at Old Trafford on Wednesday was only their second in 17 league outings. A share of the spoils looks very possible between the Bees and the Magpies.

A 4/5 (or thereabouts) double isn't everyone's cup of tea but the Manchester Double pays just over at 87/100 today. Manchester United have lost just once at Old Trafford in the league, visitors Everton have won just once on their travels so the home win looks nailed on in the early kick-off. In the evening Manchester City are unlikely to slip up at Southampton who have taken 10 points from a possible 42 at St Mary's.

Super Singles

• Celtic win Over & Over 1.5 match goals 1/1 Bet365
• Aston Villa win & Over 1.5 match Goals 1/1 Bet365
• Hamilton to score 2+ goals 11/10 Bet365

English Double

• Man Utd & Man City to win 87/100 Bet365

Scottish Treble

• Aberdeen to win
• Motherwell Draw No Bet
• Stirling Albion to win
• Treble pays 17/10 Bet365

Longshot Treble

• Brentford v Newcastle – Draw
• Celtic v Rangers – Over 1.5 First Half Goals
• Dunfermline to win
• Treble pays 22/1 Bet365

Upcoming Match Previews & Tips

• Saturday Football Cheat Sheet: Best Value Bets for This Weekened
• SlipsTips Tips: Airdrie vs Montrose
• Scottish Tips: Best Bets at Albion Rovers, Aberdeen and Hamilton
• Football Bet of the Day: Dons to Deliver at Home to Travel Sick Killie
• Sat 12:30 Celtic vs Rangers
• Sat 12:30 Manchester United vs Everton
• Sat 15:00 Tottenham Hotspur vs Brighton & Hove Albion
• Sat 15:00 Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Chelsea
• Sat 15:00 Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest
• Sat 15:00 Brentford vs Newcastle United
• Sat 15:00 Fulham vs West Ham United
• Sat 15:00 Leicester City vs AFC Bournemouth
• Sat 17:30 Southampton vs Manchester City
• Sat 19:45 Lazio vs Juventus
• Sat 20:00 Real Madrid vs Villarreal
• Sun 12:00 Dundee United vs Hibernian
• Sun 14:00 Leeds United vs Crystal Palace
• Sun 16:30 Liverpool vs Arsenal

Racing Tips

Five selections have been picked out for Saturday's busy day of racing, including a NAP at Haydock priced up at 6/1.

• Racing tips: Some Scope gets a suitable trip for his handicap debut

As always, let us know your best betting tips and predictions for today in the comments section below and good luck with all your bets!

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