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Betfred Cup Final – Livingston v St Johnstone
EVEN in this strangest of seasons you would have got pretty astronomical odds on Livingston and St Johnstone scrapping it out for the first piece of silverware.
But that’s what will happen tomorrow at Hampden and any fan who took a punt on their heroes to win the competition when the group stage kicked off will be out to toast a double triumph.
The bookies are finding it hard to separate the teams with Saints narrow favourites at 17/20 to lift the trophy with McBookie and Livi priced at 10/11.
I fancy the Perth men to edge this showpiece as they head into the game in better form, with their only defeats in the last 11 matches coming against the Old Firm.
They also beat Livingston 2-1 in the league a few weeks ago, ending the incredible 14-match unbeaten run the Lions had been on under new boss David Martindale.
Livi haven’t won since then, losing 3-0 to Dundee United and drawing 1-1 with St Mirren, so they have lost a bit of momentum.
I wouldn’t rule out a 90-minute stalemate at 21/10 with McBookie but I’m going to back St Johnstone to finish the job without extra time at 17/10.
It wouldn’t be a huge surprise if the score was level at half-time and that pays evens at Bet365.
Both sides are a huge threat from set-pieces so it could pay to back corner and free-takers for assists.
David Wotherspoon and Craig Conway put in the deliveries for two of St Johnstone’s semi-final goals and are 7/2 and 3/1
respectively to see up a final goal.
A Josh Mullin free-kick led to Scott Robinson’s winner in Livi’s semi and he’s 6/4 for an assist here.
There has been a one-goal winning margin in four of the last five meetings so it could pay to back a repeat here at 5/4 with McBookie.
Celtic v Aberdeen
The pick of today’s Premiership action comes at Celtic Park as the Hoops begin life without Neil Lennon.
Aberdeen will be looking to take advantage of any uncertainty in the Celtic ranks with John Kennedy in caretaker charge.
It’s the second time in 10 days these sides have faced off in Glasgow, with Celtic edging a 1-0 win last time. That was a sixth blank in a row for the Dons but they finally ended the drought last week with a 1-0 win over Kilmarnock.
The last eight Aberdeen games have all seen under 2.5 goals so I’ll be backing a repeat here at a best 6/7 with SBK.
Hibernian v Motherwell
The Dons are four points behind Hibs in the race for third place and the Easter Road men are favourites to beat Motherwell in Leith at just 8/11 with McBookie.
Well drew 0-0 with St Mirren in midweek and have scored just twice in their last four so I’d be surprised if this was a thriller.
Under 2.5 goals is 11/13 at SBK while betting against both teams to score pays 20/23 at BetVictor.
St Mirren v Ross County
St Mirren have been looking a bit jaded of late so a Ross County side buoyed by their win over Celtic last week might get some Paisley joy.
The Staggies are 31/10 with McBookie for a win and are also a decent 10/11 in the double chance market, which pays on the draw as well.
Kilmarnock v Dundee Utd
Kilmarnock host Dundee United seeking to end an eight game losing streak and I’m betting against BTTS at 9/10 with BetVictor.
Morton v Dundee
DUNDEE are playing catch-up in the race for promotion and need a win at Morton today to spark their season back to life.
Since a thrilling New Year win over Hearts at Dens, the Dark Blues have gone four league games without a victory.
Their games have mostly been thrillers but it was a 1-0 win when they faced Morton earlier this term and the Cappielow side’s last three have all see under 2.5 goals.
This could be tight again so I’m going for under 2.5 strikes at 10/11 with McBookie.
Raith Rovers v Alloa
It should be more open in Raith v Alloa, with BTTS coming up in the last 12 for the Wasps. A repeat here pays a decent 17/20 at McBookie while over 2.5 goals is shorter at 8/11.
Queen of the South v Dunfermline
In-form Queen of the South face Dunfermline and I’m backing BTTS again here at 17/20. A stalemate looks decent at 9/4 when Ayr host a resurgent Arbroath side.
Super Singles
- St Johnstone (17/10, McBookie)
- Cup final, one-goal winning margin (5/4, McBookie)
- Under 2.5 goals at Morton (10/11, McBookie)
Deadly Double
- Under 2.5 goals at Hibs and Killie (2/1, SBK).
BTTS Double
- QOS & Raith (242/100).
I'm a sports journalist, football tipster and author from Dundee, who is now working in Glasgow. I've covered games at every level, from Junior football to internationals, and still love football even though it has clearly sold its soul. I've been in football tipping since 2018 with the MFT site.
