RANGERS rescued their title hopes with a late winner against Hibs but Steven Gerrard may see the Scottish Cup as his best hope for silverware.
A seven-point gap to Celtic isn't insurmountable with a game in hand and two Old Firm games to come but there's a growing feeling the champions won't slip up.
That piles the pressure on Rangers who simply can't afford any more mistakes.
Gers travel to Hamilton at lunchtime and it has the makings of a good one. The Ibrox side have won six in a row there with the matches producing 30 goals.
Accies have netted in five of them so going by stats the best bet is Rangers and both to score at 21-10 with McBookie.
That's enforced by Accies scoring in last Sunday's defeat to Celtic – and they only caved in near the end after defending well with 10 men.
Rangers are just 1-5 to win so other bets to consider are Rangers and over 3.5 match goals at 17-10 with Paddy Power while Rangers -2 – they've covered this in the past five meetings – is the same price.
Alfredo Morelos has hit the headlines for everything recently but scoring goals so it's time to do what he's paid for. The Colombian is 23-10 with McBookie to break the deadlock.
Accies netted first against Celtic and if you're looking for a value scorer returning ex-Ger David Templeton is 16-1 first and 6-1 anytime at McBookie. He bagged the opener against St Mirren on Wednesday.
There are five other ties today and all should be hard fought. I there's a shock it could come at Falkirk where Hearts are the visitors.
Hearts have followed their defeat of Rangers with a 3-3 draw at St Johnstone and 3-2 defeat at home to Killie and Daniel Stendel must be concerned at the number of goals conceded.
Keeper Joel Pereira has had nightmares and League One Falkirk could take advantage. They are a biggest 5-1 with McBookie but best bet could be both to score at 4-5 with William Hill with quality strikers such Liam Boyce, Steven Naismith and Declan McManus on show.
St Johnstone will be tested at Ayr, where Ross County lost in the last round, but I expect Tommy Wright's improve side to edge through at 11-10 with sportingbet.
There are two all-Premiership games – Aberdeen v Killie and St Mirren v Motherwell – while today's final tie sees Inverness entertain Livingston.
The Dons have failed to score in four but are odds on at 5-6 while Killie are a massive 15-4 with McBookie. I can't back Aberdeen just now so Killie draw no bet is the call at 12-5.
St Mirren have lost four in a row at home to Well including a 3-0 defeat this season but Jim Goodwin's side are also improving so I'd take a draw here.
Tomorrow is the day of the underdogs with Clyde hosting Celtic and Lowland League minnows BSC Glasgow at home to Hibs – although “home” is in Alloa.
I can only see big wins for the favourites unless Celtic play their second string. Neil Lennon could make changes with the likes of Patryk Kilmala getting a start but whoever he puts out should beat the League One side easily.
Once I see the strength of the line-up I'll have a bet on goals or handicaps. Could easily be 4-0 or 5-0 if the main men are involved.
No reason for Hibs to rest players so best bet here is Hibs -2 at 11-10 with Sky Bet. Again this could be a rout and I don't expect 11-10 to survive.
There are three games in League One and I like both to score at Stranraer v Raith with the Blues holding Falkirk last week.
In League Two Edinburgh should beat Elgin at home after losing to Stirling last week and on the back of that result the Binos look too big at 6-4 with William Hill at home to Queen's Park.
Recommended Bets
- Rangers & Btts
- Morelos to score first
- Falkirk v Hearts Btts
- St Johnstone
- Killie draw no bet
- Hibs -2
- Stirling
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