THE SPFL roars back into life on Friday as the Championship gets underway with Dundee United making the short trek up the coast to Arbroath.
The bookies reckon two divisions will separate these sides next season, with United favourites to go up and Arbroath right at the bottom of the betting at 33/1 with McBookie.
But Dick Campbell’s part-timers have made a habit of upsetting the odds and this opener is a tricky one to call.
United have the strongest squad in the Championship and have won three games in a row to nil since starting their League Cup campaign with defeats to Spartans and Partick.
That suggests Jim Goodwin’s side are starting to get their act together but Gayfield is a tough place to come, with Arbroath losing just one of their last eight at home.
That’s why the odds are quite close for tonight’s game, with United 21/20 at McBookie, Arbroath at 23/10 and the draw paying 23/10.
I’ve a feeling Goodwin’s side will edge it but the safest bet looks to be corners on such a tight pitch.
Bet365 are offering 6/5 on over 10 corners and that bet has landed in three of the last four league games at Gayfield.
Armchair fans will be hoping for a thriller but over 2.5 goals has only come up in one of Arbroath’s last eight games at home.
That makes under 2.5 strikes a good shout here at 19/20 with Bet365.
The English Championship also kicks off tonight and it should be a cracker as promoted Sheffield Wednesday host relegated Southampton.
New Saints coach Russell Martin likes to attack so we should see goals, with over 2.5 strikes paying 21/20 at QuinnBet.
- Super singles: Over 10 corners at Gayfield (6/5, Bet365), Over 2.5 goals at Hillsborough (21/20, QuinnBet)
- McBookie bet builder: Combining under 2.5 goals with BTTS no in Arbroath pays 112/100.