THERE was a school of thought Ayr’s title challenge would crumble this month if top scorer Lawrence Shankland was sold.
But actually their form dipped before the window opened and the Honest Men have been knocked off the top of the Championship by Ross County after a run of three draws. However, last night's shock defeat for County at Morton means Ayr will take over at the summit if they win their games in hand.
All is not lost though for Ian McCall’s men and victory at home to Falkirk today will put them back in the hunt – and later the boss can worry about Shankland who misses out through injury and has been linked with a move to Swansea this week.
There are no Premiership fixtures today so the focus is on the Championship and it’s tough to find value.
Ayr, for example, are no bigger than 4-11 at Ladbrokes to return to winning ways against a Falkirk side that’s winless in four.
Two meetings this season have finished in one-goal victories for Ayr and that pays better at 9-5 with Betway.
Shankland’s netted 28 times this season but without him Ayr have plenty of firepower with the likes of Michael Moffat and Craig Moore.
Dundee United and Inverness are the teams chasing the top two and both should win today.
United are 3-5 at home to a Partick Thistle side now rock bottom and with boss Gary Caldwell having serious work to do in the transfer window.
Inverness face a tougher test against a Queen of the South side they've drawn with twice this season. The home wins pays 10-11 at Betfred while another stalemate is 13-5 at bet365.
There have been some trends in the Championship recently. All five games were draws a couple of weeks ago and last weekend every team scored. What about all four going over 2.5 goals today at 10-1 with Marathonbet.
In League One leaders Arbroath followed their first defeat of the season by drawing at Montrose but should return to winning ways at home to Brechin.
The Hedgeman have lost six in a row so you don't need to hedge your bets. Arbroath are just 2-7 at William Hill so consider Arbroath and over 2.5 goals at 3-4 with Ladbrokes as two meetings this season have totalled 10 goals.
Second-placed Raith also need to bounce back and are 2-5 at Ladbrokes at home to Stenny. They've won both meetings this season by two so back Rovers -1 at 6-5 with bet365.
East Fife can make it four wins on the spin against Airdrie and are 32-25 with Marathonbet.
I'm still feeling sore at Edinburgh for wrecking my Top Treble last week and wondering if I can trust them at 1-2 at home to Stirling. City have won both meetings this season while their opponents have conceded 10 in five so should be a home win.
Game of the day is second-placed Peterhead against third-placed Clyde with both teams in good form. Five of Peterhead's last six have gone over 2.5 goals so that looks the sensible bet at 4-5 with Marathonbet.
Recommended Bets
- Ayr to win by one
- Arbroath & over 2.5 goals
- Raith -1
- East Fife
- Peterhead v Clyde over 2.5 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.
I’m hearing shankland May miss the game tomorrow with an ‘injury’
Again just read he’s out. Will update the post.
Opportunity of promotion to the premier doesn’t come often for ayr, don’t think they will let him go this window unless he returns on loan.
He can sign a pre-contract. It’s s difficult one if a club want him now – he might not get the move again.
Ayr as you say will desperate to take this chance and they don’t seem to need the money.
Already posted on another thread but I’ve bet my team Alloa at 7’s with Bet 365(now 11/2) & also Zanatta to score first 20/1 & anytime @ 6/1. Alan Trouten(penalty taker) also bet at around the same odds. Win or lose all value bets.