HIBS and Aberdeen were the big Premiership underachievers last term as they slummed it in the bottom six and missed out on European football.
But the doom and gloom has given way to optimism as the sleeping giants awake from their slumber after huge summer rebuilds.
It’s no great surprise to see the Dons in better shape than the Easter Road men at the moment, given boss Jim Goodwin has been in place since the final quarter of the last campaign.
Lee Johnson only took charge in the capital this summer and signed so many players in the transfer window he’s struggling to keep track of them.
That’s why results have been patchy so far but the Hibees have stepped up in big games, scoring late on to claim draws with Hearts and Rangers.
They now host the Dons and Goodwin’s side head to Edinburgh in good form, having gone four games unbeaten.
There’s plenty of quality in both squads so it’s a tough one to call and I fancy the half-time draw at 21/20 with Bet365.
McBookie are also offering 5/4 on a one-goal winning margin for either side and that looks decent value too.
Bojan Miovski looks the pick of Aberdeen’s summer signings with the striker netting six times in eight games. He’s 12/5 with Bet365 for anytime scorer and that seems a bit overpriced.
Martin Boyle’s return from Saudi Arabia was the headline news from Hibs’ recruitment and his pace unsettled Kilmarnock last time out, with Ash Taylor sent off for a last-man foul. Dons stopper Anthony Stewart doesn’t seem to be blessed with a great turn of speed so it could pay to back him for a card today at 15/8 with Bet365.
Rangers will be glad to welcome rock bottom Dundee United to Ibrox today after suffering heavy defeats to Celtic, Ajax and Napoli in their last three games.
There was a worrying lack of fight from Gers in those first two defeats but Gio van Bronckhorst’s players showed far more desire in the Ibrox loss to Napoli.
That suggests it could be a long day for Untied if they concede early in Govan today so I fancy Rangers to win both halves at 21/20 with Unibet.
James Tavernier is always worth backing for a goal as he takes the penalties and free-kicks. The skipper has gone five matches without scoring so I fancy him to end the drought today, with that bet paying 15/8 at SkyBet.
Backing Rangers for corners has paid off for me a few times this season, a trend that continued in midweek as they won the first flag kick against Napoli.
I’d expect them to rack up plenty here with United defending deep and over 8.5 Gers corners is evens (Bet365).
St Johnstone found their shooting boots last time out as they crushed St Mirren 3-0 in Perth.
New boy Nicky Clark made a big impact as he got off the mark and also brought the best out of Stevie May.
Saints now welcome Ross County to McDiarmid Park and it bodes well for an entertaining game if Callum Davidson’s men can click in attack again.
The Staggies have been terrific value for BTTS punters since Malky Mackay took charge and that bet has landed in their last two games against Celtic and Aberdeen.
Backing both teams to score today pays 21/20 with McBookie and that stands a chance of coming up.
Clark’s confidence will be high after his debut goal and the former Dundee United striker looks overpriced at 3/1 (Paddy Power) for another goal here.
The final game today sees Livingston host Kilmarnock in a game that’s often referred to as El Plastico.
Both sides are in decent form so it’s a tough one to call and the best option here seems to be the half-time draw which pays 21/20 at Betway.
The last three meetings have seen at least four yellows so over 4.5 cards also appeals at 6/5 with Bet365.
Celtic haven’t put a foot wrong so far in their title defence, with six wins out of six secured while scoring 25 times and conceding just once.
St Mirren will be hoping the wasteful finishing that cost the Hoops in their first two Champions League games continues in Paisley tomorrow.
But I’d expect Ange Postecoglou to keep his team vibrant with some changes and Liel Abada appeals for a goal at 13/8 with SkyBet after netting five times in his last two Premiership outings.
Celtic continues to rack up corners so I like the look of the 11/10 on offer at Bet365 for over five first-half corners.
Hearts head to Motherwell tomorrow after a Conference League trip to Riga and I fancy the Steelmen to score first at 11/10 with Betway.
Premiership Tips
- Super singles Half-time draw at Hibs (21/20, McBookie).
- Tavernier to score (15/8, SkyBet)
- BTTS in Perth (21/20, McBookie)
- Over five first-half corners in Paisley (11/10, Bet365).
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.
brilliant write and tip mate🤝