DUNFERMLINE could prove their title credentials by putting Championship favourites Dundee United to the sword today.
The Pars top the table and have been the standout team but are still third favourites to finish first at 5-1 with Stan James.
United lie third – two points off the pace – but remain title jollies at 6-4 with bet365 ahead of 3-1 St Mirren.
At home the Pars are unbeaten with three wins out of three, including a 3-0 trouncing of second-placed Buddies, and have netted 11 goals.
I fancy them to take down United and again they are underdogs at 7-4 with McBookie. United are 6-4 with the Scots firm and a draw is 12-5.
At those prices I'll reduce a bit of risk and go with Dunfermline draw no bet at evens with Paddy Power.
United boss Ray McKinnon was delighted to see Scott McDonald return to partner James Keatings up front in last week's defeat of Morton and with Pars boasting the likes of Nicky Clark, Andy Ryan and Joe Cardle there should be goals and over 2.5 pays 4-5 at bet365.
St Mirren will be hoping for a draw and they have what looks like a banker home win against basement boys Brechin who have lost five out of six.
The Buddies are 1-3 with bet365 and should do so by at least two which pays 19-20 at boylesports.
Big game in the Premiership is Celtic v Hibs with Neil Lennon returning to Parkhead.
He'll be fired up as usual and it will be interesting to see how the champions handle it after back-to-back big-game wins against Rangers and Anderlecht.
Celtic are no bigger than 2-7 at Coral while Hibs are 12-1 at Paddy Power with the draw paying 6-1 at Marathonbet.
Confidence should be sky high in the Hoops camp and even with a bit of fatigue they should get the job done as Brendan Rodgers has plenty of strength in depth. Skipper Scott Brown and fellow midfielder Stuart Armstrong are injured and that's a blow but the champions have plenty of cover in midfield.
Hibs though possess a decent goal threat and Anthony Stokes is 4-1 with bet365 to net against his old club.
Could be a high scorer and I fancy Celtic and over 2.5 match goals at 8-5 with Ladbrokes.
Elsewhere in the Premiership it might be worth taking on Ross County who sacked Jim McIntyre last week to the disgust of players such as skipper Andrew Davies.
He branded the decision “nonsense” so will players be able to lift themselves so quickly for a game at Kilmarnock. County have a great record there though winning five out of six but Killie tempt at 9-5 with Marathonbet.
McBookie are offering 9-2 new boss Owen Coyle can guide County to a top-six finish this season and 5-1 they finish bottom.
Paul Petrie, McBookie.com spokesman, said: “Coyle has failed in his last few jobs and really needs to rebuild his reputation with Ross County. He will certainly do that if he can inspire them to a top-half finish.”
Motherwell were a letdown against Aberdeen after thrashing them in the Betfred Cup. Derek McInnes's plan to keep Louis Moult and Ryan Bowman quiet worked but I'm not sure if a more leaky Partick defence can do the same.
Take Well at 21-20 with McBookie and back Moult to get back on track with the opener at 4-1 with bet365.
League One looks the place for goals today. Leaders Raith face an Albion Rovers side whose last three have totalled 16 so consider Rovers and over 2.5 match goals at 13-10 with boylesports.
Arbroath have slammed in 11 in two games against Sranraer and Forfar and face an Alloa outfit who have conceded 12 in four. Consider Arbroath and over 3,5 match goals at 15-4 with boylesports.
In League Two I like home wins for Annan v Cowdenbeath and Peterhead v Berwick while Montrose v Clyde and Stirling v Elgin look best for goals.
Recommended Bets
- Dunfermline draw no bet
- St Mirren -1
- Celtic v Hibs btts
- Motherwell
- Raith & over 2.5 goals
- Arbroath & over 3.5 goals
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.
