LAST season Celtic and Aberdeen were Scotland's best two teams – this term they lie sixth and seventh.
It's early days and both would prefer to have more points on the board but take Hearts out the equation and just two points split Rangers in second to the Dons.
For the first time in years we could have a proper title race even if it's taken Celtic to go backwards to allow it.
Brendan Rodgers admitted before the Betfred Cup win against St Johnstone he'd been offered a big-money move to China in the summer and that's possibly unsettled him.
A scrambled 1-0 win in Perth was needed after losing to Killie but chances were missed and only once in the league have Celtic scored more than one goal – on the opening day against Livingston.
Aberdeen head to Parkhead knowing they've got a terrible record there – nine defeats in 10 – but Derek McInnes must believe his side have a decent chance.
They beat Hibs on penalties in the Cup after a 1-0 victory against Motherwell last week so things are looking up.
Celtic again look too short at 1-3 with McBookie while the Dons will have backers at 9-1 with Betfred.
The draw pays 9-2 at betfair and as it was with St Johnstone best bet could be Aberdeen +2 at 4-5 with Betfred.
Leigh Griffiths has netted Celtic's last three goals – all openers – and is 7-2 at bet365 to again break the deadlock. To net at any time he is evens with Unibet.
Hearts dropped their first points last week but bounced back to beat Motherwell in the Cup.
Craig Levein's men tempt at 4-5 at home to a St Johnstone side hammered 5-1 at Rangers last week.
Dundee remain winless and it could be curtains for Neil McCann if his side lose a seventh in a row at Hamilton.
Accies notched their first win of the season against St Mirren and look value at 29-20 with bet365.
Rangers travel to Livingston tomorrow and won't find it easy against a side who don't give you a minute's peace.
Steven Gerrard will have had them well watched though and I'm on his side to edge it at 1-2 with Ladbrokes although it's a little short.
Livi's goal difference is 6-4 – identical to Celtic's – so don't expect a goalfest. Gers to win to nil has a chance at 29-20 with McBookie.
In the Championship all four games are tough to call. Falkirk need a win and have won four in a row at Alloa – a fifth pays 17-10 at McBookie.
The rest could be draws, especially Dundee United v Ross County and Morton v Ayr.
Unbeaten Arbroath have a four-point lead at the top of League One after three wins on the spin and are 3-4 at bet365 to beat Airdrie at home.
East Fife are 28-25 at Marathonbet to notch a fifth successive victory against a Stenny side who have lost five out of six.
Edinburgh have been a favourite of mine in recent weeks and the League Two leaders are worth putting on accumulators at 4-7 with bet365.
City were last week's Super Single pick at 21-10 and they are going for seven wins in a row.
Albion Rovers collected their first point last week but Stirling look a little big at 10-11 with Sky Bet at Cliftonhill.
I like both to score at Annan v Peterhead at 4-6 with bet365 and Clyde are 4-5 at bet365 to make it five successive victories at Berwick.
Recommended Bets
- Griffiths to score
- Aberdeen +2
- Hearts
- Hamilton
- Rangers to win to nil
- Arbroath
- East Fife
- Edinburgh
- Stirling
- Clyde
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.
