HIBS got back to winning ways in the Scottish Cup last weekend and there were signs that Shaun Maloney’s philosophy was finally starting to make sense.
Most people thought the Hibees were the team in biggest danger of a cup shock, myself included, and an upset looked on the cards when they fell behind to an early Arbroath goal at windy Gayfield.
But Maloney refused to abandon his passing football and his team ended up worthy 3-1 winners at one of the most difficult venues in the lower leagues.
That ended a five-game run without a win and it’s crucial for Hibs to follow it up with another victory against Ross County today.
However, it won’t be easy against a Staggies side who have hit form under another football purist in Malky Mackay.
A win at Easter Road would leave County just a point behind their hosts in the table and I fully expect Mackay to go for it.
County have been BTTS kings this season and that bet landed for the 11th time in 12 games last time out in a draw with Livi.
Backing both teams to score in Leith today pays 10/11 with McBookie and that looks good value given County’s amazing BTTS stats.
Kevin Nisbet grabbed a crucial goal for Hibs at Arbroath and it could give him the confidence boost he has badly needed.
The Scotland striker is 15/8 with Paddy Power for a goal today and that looks worth a punt. Hibs had two players sent off as they lost in Dingwall when these sides last met and the card markets could be worth a look today as well.
Paul McGinn is 15/4 at Bet365 to be carded and that looks decent as County have pace and power down the left flank.
St Johnstone can move off the bottom with a win today and host a Hearts side who have a terrible record at McDiarmid Park.
The Jambos haven’t won in Perth for a decade while Saints are in better form, losing just one of their last five games.
I cashed in by backing St Johnstone at odds-against in the double chance market at Aberdeen in midweek and that bet pays 10/11 today at BoyleSports which looks a great price.
Five cards or more have been dished out in both meetings this term and that makes over 4.5 cards a good option at 6/5 with Bet365.
Motherwell will be out to pile more misery on Aberdeen at Fir Park after last week’s Cup win led to Stephen Glass being sacked.
I’m surprised to see Well as big as 23/10 with SBK and plenty of punters will take a nibble at that price. But going for goals could be safer and I like over 2.5 strikes at 6/4 with Bet365.
There was a bit of needle in that match and Kevin van Veen was one of five players booked. We could see some afters today and the Well striker is evens (Bet365) for another card.
The other Premiership clash today sees in-form St Mirren head to Livingston and it should be tight. The half-time draw pays evens at Unibet and that looks the best shout.
The title race continues tomorrow as Celtic and Rangers head back into action after two drastically different European experiences.
Gers will be on cloud nine after their incredible win in Dortmund and should have too much for Dundee United. A win to nil for the champions pays evens at McBookie.
Celtic host the blue half of Dundee after a humbling loss to Bodo/Glimt. The Hoops are corner machines just now and I fancy over 8.5 Celtic corners at 19/20 with Unibet.
Super Singles
- BTTS at Hibs (10/11 McBookie)
- St Johnstone double chance (10/11, BoyleSports)
- Van Veen carded (evens, Bet365)
- Rangers win to nil (evens, 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.
