NOSTALGIA will hang heavy in the Pittodrie air this afternoon as Sir Alex Ferguson watches Aberdeen take on Dundee United.
In Fergie’s time as Dons boss this clash would often have big say in who would win the title as he jousted with another legendary gaffer in the shape of Jim McLean.
But today’s clash is all about the battle for a top-six place as Jim Goodwin takes charge of Aberdeen for the first time on home soil.
Sir Alex has now joined Wee Jum in having a statue unveiled outside his old stomping ground and the Dons will be desperate to mark the occasion with a victory.
McBookie make them 3/4 favourites with United as big as 4/1 but it’s hard to trust the Reds as they have gone seven games without a win while Tam Courts’ side are unbeaten in five.
So I’m looking at other markets and BTTS could be worth a punt at 13/10 (QuinnBet) even though it has failed to land in both meetings this term.
That’s because the bet has landed in Aberdeen’s last six while United have also scored in their last three after a spell where they fired blanks.
There isn’t much between these sides so the half-time draw could also be worth a punt at 26/25 (Unibet) while McBookie price a one-goal winning margin for either side at 13/10.
Goodwin left St Mirren to take the reins at Pittodrie and the Buddies replaced him with former Motherwell gaffer Stephen Robinson.
The Northern Irishman was supposed to take charge for the first time at Dens in midweek but that became the latest Scottish game to fall victim to a seemingly endless succession of storms with bizarre names.
A Tynecasle tempest could envelop Robbie Neilson if he fails to end Hearts’ Premiership slump when they head to Paisley today.
Despite sitting nine points clear of bitter rivals Hibs in third place, some Jambos are far from happy about Neilson’s stewardship.
I backed St Johnstone in the double chance market last week and it paid off as the Jambos made it three league defeats on the spin.
Two of those losses came to teams who were sitting bottom of the table and Neilson’s men now face a Buddies team unbeaten in eight, with six of those games victories.
It remains to be seen how the loss of Goodwin will impact on St Mirren though so I’m going for goals today with BTTS 13/10 at QuinnBet and over 2.5 strikes 6/4 with Bet365.
Greg Kiltie has hit form for the Paisley side, with three goals in his last two games, and the former Kilmarnock star is 9/2 with Paddy Power for anytime scorer here.
Robinson’s Motherwell sides never held back and with Hearts desperate for the points we could see some tasty tackles.
I could only see a price for over 3.5 cards (8/13, McBookie) but the odds were far too skinny so individual cards look a better option.
Andy Halliday is 11/4 for an eighth card this term while St Mirren’s Joe Shaughnessy has the same disciplinary record and is a fraction shorter at 11/5.
There’s a huge clash at the bottom of the table as St Johnstone head to Dingwall looking to cut the gap on third-bottom Ross County to a point.
The Staggies drew a rare blank at Easter Road last weekend, ruining my BTTS tip, and this match could be tight with so much at stake.
That makes the half-time draw a good option again at 28/13 with VBet while McBookie price a one-goal winning margin at 5/4.
Rock-bottom Dundee will be hoping for a draw in Dingwall as they look to reel in both sides and Mark McGhee makes his Dens bow as boss today when Livingston come calling.
The pitch could be in bad nick after it was deemed unplayable in midweek so don’t expect much in the way of fancy football.
Betting against BTTS looks the shout here at 9/10 with BetVictor and there could be more cards than clear-cut chances.
Dundee new boy Vontae Daley-Campbell put in a few fierce challenges against Celtic and appeals at 9/4 (Bet365) for a card today.
Leaders Celtic travel to Hibs tomorrow and it promises goals with Shaun Maloney sticking to his passing football. Over 2.5 strikes looks great value at evens with SportNation.
Rangers will be on a massive high after dumping Dortmund out of Europe but Motherwell won’t be pushovers at Ibrox. It could be a game of patience and I fancy most goals to come after the break in this one (21/20, Bet365).
Super Singles
- Half-time draw at Pittodrie (26/25, Unibet)
- Vontae Daley-Cambell carded (9/4, Bet365)
- BTTS at St Mirren (13/10, QuinnBet)
- Over 2.5 goals at Hibernian (Evens, SportNation)
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.
