KevMac shares his best bets in Scotland this weekend.
Livingston v Aberdeen
LIVINGSTON’S stunning run under David Martindale has been one of the stories of the season and they will look to make it 13 games unbeaten when they host Aberdeen today.
Most people thought Martindale would suffer his first defeat when Livi had a double-header with Celtic but his side deservedly claimed a share of the spoils in both those games.
And those are the only points Livi have dropped since he replaced Gary Holt, with all their other games ending in wins.
They left it late in midweek before flooring Kilmarnock with two late goals and are 17/10 with McBookie for another victory against the Dons.
But their run has to end sometime and a few punters will fancy a punt on Derek McInnes’ men at 9/5 given they have won their last three against Livingston and haven’t lost to them since 2004.
Both sides helped bring up my under 2.5 goals double in midweek – with Aberdeen drawing 0-0 in Perth – and a repeat pays just 8/15 at McBookie.
But over 2.5 strikes has come up in their last two meetings while both teams have scored in five of their last six clashes.
So that suggests we might see some goals, with BTTS paying 21/20 at McBookie and over 2.5 strikes as big as 31/20 with Unibet.
There’s little between these teams and any victory is likely to be tight, with a one-goal winning margin coming up in four of the last six meetings. A repeat here pays 6/5 with McBookie.
Celtic v St Mirren
With Rangers not in action this weekend it gives Celtic the chance to eat into their 23-point lead a little.
The Hoops claimed their first victory of 2021 by beating Hamilton in midweek but now face a tougher task against a St Mirren side who demolished Dundee United at Tannadice on the same night.
Celtic still look ropey at the back, especially with Neil Lennon constantly changing his goalkeeper, so I fancy the Buddies to score at Parkhead.
Both teams to score is a best evens at SportNation while over 3.5 goals pays 48/29 at SBK.
Leigh Griffiths is back in form for the Hoops and appeals in the anytime scorer market at 13/10 with Paddy Power.
Celtic’s last four games have all seen over 10 corners so it could also pay to look at that market, with over 10.5 corners priced 21/20 at McBookie.
Dundee Utd v Hibs
Dundee United and Hibs will be looking to bounce back from painful midweek losses when they meet at Tannadice.
Both sides are in poor form, with United without a win in six and the Hibees winning just one of their last seven.
That lends appeal to the stalemate at 14/5 with McBookie, especially with United drawing four of those six games.
I was surprised to see Micky Mellon’s side leak five goals against the Buddies as they have generally been pretty solid at the back this season.
And I’m going to bet against goals in this one, with United drawing blanks in three of their last four and Hibs scoring only three goals in seven matches.
Under 2.5 goals pays 13/16 with SBK while betting against both teams to score is a best 37/40 at BetVictor.
Kilmarnock v St Johnstone
The other Premiership game today is a tough one to call with St Johnstone heading to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock.
Saints impressed as they crushed Hibs to reach the Betfred Cup Final but their league form has been poor with just one win in 12 matches.
It’s rarely a classic on the Rugby Park astro, especially in the winter, so I’m betting against goals here too.
Under 2.5 goals is 13/20 at McBookie while betting against both teams to score is priced 17/20.
Backing a first half without any goals also appeals at 6/4 with the same firm.
Hearts v Dunfermline
The top two clash in the Championship today as Dunfermline travel to Hearts.
The Jambos were shocked by Raith last weekend but got their revenge with a 4-0 win at Stark’s Park in midweek. I backed them in the handicaps and it paid off, with over 3.5 goals also trapping for their eighth game in a row.
This one could be a bit tighter with the Pars conceding just one goal in their last four games. Every Hearts match can’t be a thriller so I’m going for under 2.5 goals here at 7/5 with McBookie.
Raith Rovers v Dundee
Raith now host Dundee and the Dark Blues look good value at 11/8 for a win given Rovers are searching for fitness.
I’m going with BTTS for Inverness v Queen of the South (8/11, McBookie) as it has come up in Caley Thistle’s last four games. A double on Ayr and Morton also appeals at 32/10.
Super Singles
- BTTS in Livi v Aberdeen (21/20, McBookie)
- Griffiths to score (13/10, Paddy Power)
- Dundee to win (11/8, McBookie)
- Under 2.5 goals at Hearts (7/5, McBookie)
Deadly Double
- Under 2.5 goals Dundee Utd v Hibs & Killie v Saints (18/10, 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.
