GREG STEWART'S return to Aberdeen means today's meeting with Kilmarnock will be a grudge match.
Steve Clarke was raging when Stewart arrived at Pittodrie via Birmingham and said the move smelled of “bulls**t”.
It looks a good bit of business by Derek McInnes and Clarke's mood could worsen at full-time … especially if Stewart is on target.
He hit eight goals in his 16-game Killie loan spell as opposed to three in 17 with the Dons but marked his second league debut with a strike in the 3-0 win at Hamilton on Wednesday.
Clarke must have feared the worst after losing Stewart as well as Jordan Jones signing a pre-contract at Ibrox but he got the best out of his side with Jones scoring the winner against Rangers in midweek.
I still believe the pitch played its part and both Killie's goals came from bad mistakes.
It should be a good, competitive game at Pittodrie but I'm taking Aberdeen to edge it at evens with bet365.
Stewart is 11-2 with McBookie to net first against his former team and 11-5 to score. But Dons' man of the moment is Sam Cosgrove who looks big at 7-1 with bet365 to break the deadlock.
Celtic have what looks an easy three-pointer against Hamilton and are short at 1-10. Accies have netted just twice in six visits to Parkhead so look at a home win to nil at 1-2 with bet365.
It was 4-0 in midweek against St Mirren and the result should be similar. Back Celtic -2 at 5-6 with Ladbrokes.
New boys Oli Burke and Timothy Weah have both netted twice and if Weah is handed a first start back him at 29-10 with McBookie. Burke is 3-1.
St Johnstone have a poor record at Tynecastle, with no wins in six, but could be worth a look at 16-5 after four successive wins to nil. A fifth pays 11-2 at McBookie.
Rangers are back on the plastic at Livingston on Sunday where Steven Gerrard's men lost 1-0 in September. Everyone's found it difficult there so this will be a big test for the Ibrox men.
They didn't handle the Rugby Park surface well and while Gerrard needs the points I'm looking at Livi +1 at 8-5 with bet365.
There's a tough Championship card today with all four games looking close to call.
Leaders Ross County returned to form with cup victory at Motherwell after back-to-back defeats. They face an Alloa side who pushed St Mirren all the way and have netted exactly two goals in their last six games.
County should win this at 4-9 with Ladbrokes but I much prefer both to score at 10-11 with bet365.
Both Morton and Dunfermline are trying to bounce back from Scottish Cup defeats to lower-league opponents and this could be a draw.
Partick Thistle are improving and that's three unbeaten as they welcome Queen of the South. Possibly another draw but both have scored in the Jags' last four so back that at 8-11 with bet365.
Falkirk are also showing signs of revival and home to Inverness looks another tight contest.
In League One Raith will be on a high after their 3-0 thumping of Dunfermline in the Cup and are 8-13 with Betway to win at Brechin.
Arbroath seem to be back on track after a blip and while they are 8-15 at Ladbrokes I'd prefer to take Ladbrokes' 4-6 on btts for the third time this season.
Clyde are the form team in League Two and they return to action at home to Cowdenbeath with Ladbrokes going 1-2. Beath could have one eye on Rangers on Wednesday so consider the Bully Wee -1 at 11-8 with McBookie.
Annan stunned Edinburgh City last week and now take on Peterhead. They are 3-1 at William Hill to cause another shock but the Highlanders' only recent defeat was against Clyde.
The Blue Toon have won both meetings this season and conceded so try a repeat at 5-2 with bet365.
Recommended Bets
- Stewart (Aberdeen) to score (11-5, McBookie)
- Celtic -2 (5-6, Ladbrokes)
- St Johnstone (16-5, McBookie)
- St Johnstone draw no bet (2-1, McBookie)
- Livingston +1 (8-5, bet365)
- Ross Co v Alloa btts (10-11, bet365)
- Clyde -1 (11-8, McBookie)
- Peterhead & Btts (5-2, bet365)
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.
