IT'S the game everyone but the beaks wanted to see – so let's hope it lives up to the billing.
And Celtic v Rangers on Sunday should be a belter if the Ibrox men remember to turn up.
There's no doubt players will want to make up for Scottish Cup no-show but that's 10 in a row without a win against the Hoops and in some games they've looked beaten from the first whistle.
Brendan Rodgers's side have rarely hit the heights this season but that 4-0 romp at Hampden showed there's still a big gap between the teams and Celtic are no bigger than 4-7 at Ladbrokes to win and clinch seven in a row.
After that loss Rangers suspended Kenny Miller and Lee Wallace for apparently having a go at boss Graeme Murty – and if he wasn't sure about his own future he'll know his time is up after the move for Steven Gerrard.
I expect more fight from Murty's men but can see Celtic winning by two or three in a charged atmosphere.
Celtic -1 pays 6-4 at McBookie and for the more ambitious Celtic -2 returns 4-1 with the Scots firm.
For any optimistic Gers fan you can have 11-2 at William Hill on the away while the draw pays 17-5 with Unibet.
Moussa Dembele was again the scourge of Rangers at Hampden and is 4-1 at betfair to break the deadlock and 13-10 to net at anytime.
At a bigger price consider Callum McGregor at 16-5 with betfair while James Forrest is the same price to bag his first derby goal.
Elsewhere Hibs were superb in beating Celtic last week and if they can get close to that performance should see off Killie as they maintain their push for second.
Hibs have drawn two and won one of three meetings this season and are 3-4 at William Hill.
At the other end of the table Ross County trail Partick Thistle by one point and Hamilton by two in the fight to beat the drop.
County are boosted by the permanent appointment of co-managers Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson and will be confident at an Accies side that's picked up one point in eight games.
It will be tight and tense but County, one defeat in five, could edge this at 31-20 with McBookie.
In the Championship there's just one issue left to bet settled – Dunfermline or Inverness for the final play-off place.
Dunfermline need to match ICT's result and have the easier game at home to Dumbarton. The Pars are no bigger than 3-14 with 188BET so consider them at 20-23 with Coral to score 3+ against a side that's conceded 18 in six.
Nicky Clark has been an inspiration in recent weeks and is 11-4 at McBookie to score first.
Two helicopters will be at the ready to present league trophies to Raith or Ayr and Montrose or Peterhead.
If I were the pilots I'd be eyeing places to land near Stark's Park and Links Park and I'm backing the teams in the driving seat to bag the wins they need.
Raith are 3-10 at Marathonbet at home to Alloa as they try to stay ahead of Ayr while Montrose are 3-10 with sportingbet for the visit of Elgin.
Ayr slipped up badly at Alloa on Sunday but should finish with a win at home to Albion Rovers and are 4-11 at Marathonbet. Three meetings this season have seen Ayr win and over 4.5 goals – that pays 7-2 at Sky Bet but remember they are minus top scorer Lawrence Shankland.
Peterhead should take care of Edinburgh at 1-4 with sportingbet and hope for a favour from Elgin.
A draw between Stirling and Stenny at 2-1 with McBookie would see both in the play-offs unless Clyde beat Berwick by six. The first is likely – the second less so but Clyde should win at 4-9 with BetVictor.
Clyde have scored 3+ in three of their last six and is worth a look at 7-4 with Unibet.
McBookie spokesman Paul Petrie said: “Bookies up and down the country will be cheering on Montrose in League Two as Peterhead were one of the most popular antepost selections. Indeed Montrose were a massive 14-1 and would be a major shock.
“Two weeks ago Raith were 9-1 for the title but are back to favourites after Ayr lost their last two games. At the other end of the table Queen's are 1-3 to finish bottom with Albion Rovers 9-4.
“Meanwhile, it is 40-1 for Inverness to make the play-offs while Stirling and Stenhousemuir can potentially play out a draw in order to secure their top-four places. That outcome is now 2-1.
“People have already mentioned the West Germany v Austria game from 1982 when they played out a draw and it will be interesting to see what happens at Forthbank on Saturday.”
Recommended Bets
- Celtic -1 (Sunday)
- Dembele to score (Sunday)
- Ross County
- Dunfermline to score 3+
- Clark to score first
- Ayr/Raith double
- Peterhead/Montrose double
- Clyde to score 3+
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.
