CELTIC fans headed into the World Cup break with a smile on their faces after watching the Hoops open up a nine-point gap at the top of the Premiership.
Ange Postecoglou could hardly have asked for a better start to their title defence with his side racking up 14 wins from 15 games.
The only blip so far has been a defeat away to St Mirren but Celtic have been relentless domestically and Giovanni van Bronckhorst paid the price for failing to keep pace when he was sacked by Rangers during the break.
Postecoglou’s side are now 1/16 favourites with McBookie to defend their crown but the Aussie will know the job isn’t done yet.
And his side have some tough aways before 2022 draws to a close, with trips to Aberdeen, Hibs and Rangers.
They restart at Pittodrie today and it’s a big test after the long lay-off with Jim Goodwin’s side in superb form at home this season.
The Dons have won nine of their 10 matches in the Granite City so far but have yet to host the Old Firm.
And McBookie don’t fancy them to beat the champions, with Aberdeen 6/1 outsiders and the Hoops just 2/5.
Postecoglou’s side weren’t keeping a lot of clean sheets before the break, conceding in their last four matches.
That makes BTTS likely in this one but the odds aren’t great at a best 7/10 (Quinnbet). It ended 2-0 to the champions when these sides met at Celtic Park on the opening weekend with Jota scoring a wonder goal.
The Portuguese is the best player in Scotland on his day and netted three times on two visits to Pittodrie last term.
So it could be worth backing him for anytime scorer today at 11/8 with Bet365 while McBookie price him at 13/8 to net in a Hoops win.
Ylber Ramadani will be at the heart of the midfield battle and the Albanian was racking up cards before the break.
He has been booked in four of his last six outings so looks a good candidate for another card today at 5/2 with Paddy Power.
Dundee United have been the biggest disappointment in the top flight this season and sit bottom of the table after qualifying for Europe last season.
They desperately need to string some wins together but face a horrible fixture today with a trip to Livingston’s plastic pitch.
United won at the Tony Macaroni Arena in the League Cup earlier this season but their record in West Lothian was poor before that, going eight games without tasting victory.
David Martindale’s Lions sit fourth in the table so plenty of punters will back them at 21/20 with McBookie.
But I’m more drawn to a one-goal winning margin for either side at 13/10 with the same firm as that bet has landed in the last four meetings.
Hearts were hampered by injuries and a punishing schedule earlier in the season but should push on in the second half of the campaign now they’re no longer in Europe.
They host Kilmarnock today and the Jambos are a best 4/5 with William Hill for the win.
Killie have struggled for goals so I’ve a feeling Derek McInnes will park the bus at Tynecastle. That makes under 2.5 goals appealing and it pays 10/11 with Bet365.
Kilmarnock edged a 1-0 League Cup win on their last trip to Tynecastle and BTTS has failed to land in four of the last five meetings in Gorgie.
Betting against both teams netting could pay off again and that pays evens at BetVictor.
The break came at a bad time for Ross County as they were finally starting to find form.
The Staggies were kings of the BTTS market last term and that has also landed in three of their last four. So I fancy that bet today against St Johnstone and it pays 21/20 (McBookie).
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.
