HEARTS hit the ground running on their Premiership return and only suffered their first defeat last weekend against Aberdeen.
But a blip in form has seen the Jambos go four games without a win and they need to get back on track when Dundee United come calling this afternoon.
The last time Hearts made a flying start to a Premiership season, under Craig Levein in 2018, their first loss of the campaign led to a dramatic nosedive.
They would win just three of their next 12 matches and it started a slump that would lead to them being relegated at the end of the next campaign.
It’s hard to see that happening to this Jambos squad on Robbie Neilson’s watch but it’s still imperative they get back to winning ways against United.
The bookies fancy them to do just that, with Hearts a best 13/17 at SBK and the Tangerines as big as 9/2 at Bet365.
Given that only goal difference separates these sides in the table, those odds look a bit skewed even if Neilson’s men do have home advantage.
So I’m going for goals instead with BTTS coming up in the last four Hearts games and United conceding in their last three.
Both teams to score pays 11/10 at McBookie while over 2.5 goals is 5/4 at BetVictor.
The Jambos have badly missed Liam Boyce in recent weeks but the Northern Ireland striker, who scored in a 2-0 win at Tannadice earlier this term, could make his comeback here.
Boyce is 9/5 with Paddy Power for anytime scorer which is decent if he starts.
Aberdeen’s win over Hearts made it seven points from the last nine after a horror run of 10 games without a win.
Stephen Glass’ men now host a Motherwell side who are winless in five and have lost four of those games, including a 6-1 mauling by Rangers last week.
That’s why Aberdeen are 3/4 with most firms for the win and Well as big as 17/4 with Bet365.
The Steelmen have been scoring as well as conceding so I fancy BTTS today and it pays 11/10 with McBookie.
Christian Ramirez drew a blank last weekend but still has five goals from his last eight appearances and is 9/5 with Paddy Power to add to that tally.
St Johnstone host St Mirren in Perth but their last meeting was far from divine as it ended 0-0 in Paisley.
That makes under 2.5 goals appealing here although the odds aren’t great at a best 4/7 with VBet.
Betting against BTTS is only a bit better at 4/5 with BetVictor so I’m backing Perth stopper Liam Gordon to be carded at 7/2 with McBookie.
Celtic head to Dundee tomorrow off the back of an impressive 3-2 win over Ferencvaros in Hungary.
Winger Jota scored after I’d tipped him for an assist so I’m going to back him for a goal at Dens (13/8, McBookie).
Rangers host Ross County and going for goals looks the shout, with over 3.5 strikes priced 11/10 with most firms.
Ianis Hagi scored off the bench against Brondby and the winger is 7/4 with BetVictor to net here.
- Super singles
- Ramirez to score (9/5, P Power)
- Liam Gordon to be carded (7/2, McBookie).
- BTTS double
- Hearts v Dundee United
- Dons v Motherwell
(34/10, 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.
