THERE is no Celtic, Rangers, Hibs or Aberdeen in action on Saturday so the Premiership has a low-key feel to it.
Leaders Hearts face a tricky test at home to Killie while Dundee v St Mirren looks impossible to call as two managers without a win in charge lock horns.
So my focus is on revitalised Greg Browning's revitalised St Johnstone at home to Hamilton – and I'll be surprised if he doesn't tip them.
Saints were heading towards the basement after losing 6-0 to Celtic last month but have bounced back with four victories in a row to nil. Suddenly Tommy Wright's men are in the top six with no chance of being relegated.
Those wins include 1-0 successes at Hibs and Livingston and have come despite missing three penalties in their last three matches.
Saints are handily priced at 4-5 with Ladbrokes and if you fancy them to win to nil again that pays 7-4 at Ladbrokes.
Accies are no mugs but find scoring difficult and have bagged just two goals in six on the road and once in four visits to McDiarmid.
They will be boosted by the return of combative skipper Darian Mackinnon – and if you want to see football in the raw go to clydebankfc twitter for highlights they've posted of a cup tie at Perthshire a few years ago where Daz netted a hat-trick. We play them on Saturday in the West of Scotland Cup weather permitting I suppose.
A penalty to be awarded at McDiarmid Park is 10-3 with William Hill but after misses by Liam Craig, Tony Watt and Danny Swanson don't expect it to be scored!
Hearts haven't netted in three and are missing strikers Steven Naismith and Uche Ikpeazu. They face a Killie side who have lost just once away from home and don't make life easy for anyone. I can see a draw here but the value is with Killie draw no bet at 17-10 with betfair.
Celtic head for Livi on Sunday in good shape after a fine Europa League win at home to Leipzig. Their hosts haven’t scored in back-to-back defeats against St Johnstone and Hamilton so try Celtic to win to nil at 4-5 with Ladbrokes or Celtic -1 at 8-13 with Betway.
Not sure what to make of Rangers after their 4-3 loss away to Spartak Moscow. They were good up top but woeful at the back.
Motherwell visit Ibrox on Sunday and after a 3-3 draw at Fir Park early in the season the best bet here could be both teams to score at 19-20 with bet365.
In the Championship there are some good looking games including Ayr v QoS, Ross County v Dundee United and Partick Thistle v Inverness Caley Thistle.
Ayr are back at the top and looking to avenge a 5-0 defeat at Palmerston earlier in the season. They face a side whose form has faded with three defeats in five and I like the home win at 17-20 with William Hill.
Dundee United have done me a turn the past few weeks and I'm backing Robbie Neilson to maintain his unbeaten record by taking a point at Dingwall. The draw pays 11-4 at Betway.
Inverness drew for the seventh time in a row last weekend and could break the run at a Partick Thistle side hammered 5-1 at Morton.
It's started badly for Gary Caldwell with three defeats and if they weren't draw experts I'd be all over ICT at a big price.
They are unbeaten in 23 but stalemates are killing them and while I fancy an away win I'm playing safer with Inverness draw no bet at 3-4 with Marathonbet.
In League One East Fife's form has faltered after following eight wins in a row with defeats to Dumbarton and Arbroath. It could be three in a row when Raith visit.
Rovers have won just three of their last six but both sides have scored in all of them and they've contributed 12 in five. The past two meetings at New Bayview have totalled 10 goals so what about over 3.5 at 2-1 with William Hill.
Forfar have won three in a row and head to a Brechin side with three successive defeats. Back the Loons in the Angus derby at 29-20 with McBookie.
Clyde stunned League Two leaders Edinburgh last week and should follow up with a home win against Stirling at 3-4 with William Hill.
Edinburgh should get back on track against Albion Rovers, Scotland's worst league team, but are no bigger than 3-10 at McBookie. They've beaten Rovers 3-1 and 4-0 this season so try Edinburgh -1 at evens with Paddy Power.
Recommended Bets
- St Johnstone
- St Johnstone to win to nil
- Killie draw no bet
- Rangers v Motherwell btts (Sun)
- Celtic -1 (Sun)
- Ayr Utd
- Inverness draw no bet
- East Fife v Raith over 3.5 match goals
- Forfar
- Clyde
- Edinburgh -1
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.
You know me too well Mr F – St Johnstone are my NAP tomorrow
Really really fancy us – we are a dam good team and have in my opninon our strongest squad in years.
We have a terrific record against Hamilton and It would be a huge surprise if he we didnt collect three points
I Like the other Scottish games you’ve highlighted – here’s to a good Saturday
Good stuff – happy with my picks but slightly concerned by the weather.
That was tough for Aberdeen and Hibs last night.