ONLY in Scotland would a top-flight club be as big as 9-2 away to a team from a lower division.
But this is the phenomenon that's Rangers who are fighting to make their return to the top flight after an absence of four seasons.
We'll find out a lot about Mark Warburton's side tonight – but bookies have already made up their minds. Rangers are a best 5-6 with BetVictor and McBookie and after 11 wins in a row for Rangers the oddsmakers are taking no chances.
I believe the Ibrox side will triumph but don't expect it to be easy so 5-6 isn't great value. The best side they've faced at home this season is Hibs who lost 1-0 after missing chances.
Are Saints better than Hibs? Absolutely – but I'm concerned by the fact Tommy Wright's men lost 1-0 to a poorer Gers side in the third round last season.
Steven McLean was the ref that day – this time the only Steven McLean on show will be the Saints striker who netted a hat-trick in his last match against Hamilton. He is 3-1 at Betfred to net at any time.
Rangers' dangerman is Martyn Waghorn who has netted eight in five games. He is 4-1 with Betfred to break the deadlock.
Warburton's side have conceded just one goal at home this season so a win to nil is possible at 23-10 at McBookie. And another bet to consider is Rangers to win by one at 11-4 with Stan James.
There are four other ties tonight and three of the four Premier League sides involved will be worried – none more so than Dundee United who tackle League One hotshots Dunfermline.
United haven't won in six and League One Pars draw no bet is of interest at 7-2 with Paddy Power. Prolific striker Faissal El Bakhtaoui hit another double at the weekend and is 7-5 at McBookie and BetVictor to score at Tannadice.
Championship outfit Morton will fancy their chances at home to Motherwell and are 23-20 not to lose in 90 minutes. Well needed extra time to see off East Fife in the previous round.
Inverness are improving and should be okay at Livingston but are no bigger than 7-10 at Ladbrokes.
Ross County v Falkirk could be the tie of the night. County are in cracking form and Saturday's win over Partick Thistle lifted them to fourth. They are 4-6 to beat the Bairns but their opponents have a great recent cup pedigree and beat Partick away in the last round.
I'll add to this preview once I check team news in the morning.
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
GambleAware
Fully expect Motherwell to go to Morton and win tomorrow , yes we have been poor but for me this is it for baraclough, loses tomorrow then he is almost out the door with Patrick waiting on Saturday but every time the pressure has been cranked up he gets out of jail. Motherwell have better players than Morton and for me 10/11 is a decent price to go away and win.
Derek, it’s not an easy place to go looking for a win. Not been impressed at all by Motherwell.
Mr F, I feel your guilty of believing the PR that surrounds the ibrox club.
You know their is a big difference in the leagues. Look at Hearts, cantered through the league, now in the top league and they’ve conceded 8’goals in 3 games.
Last week you believed the DR that Celtic were in crisis, look how that turned out.
This is PR, I thought you had the intelligence to see through it.
Sidplay, I’ve never said Celtic were in crisis – in fact I’ve maintained and still do that they will win the league comfortably.
I don’t look at PR when tipping results. Even St Johnstone fan Greg is on Rangers – that tells me a lot.
Last year against a poor Gers team they were beaten at Ibrox and their display was rotten.
40 goals in 11 succesive wins are facts Sidplay and not PR.
Rangers have also won 7 of their last 8 meetings with St Johnstone, who have lost all 5 away games this season.
1 team is full of confidence and the other is not. I don’t see how this is PR. If you had watched Rangers destroy some admittedly weaker opponents than Saints, then you may agree that the home win should be odds on.
Ryan
The stats are for a different league, the championship is a much weaker league.
I agree if St Johnstone play as badly as the last time they will be beaten.
I think everybody is getting carried away, it is the championship, Hibs are the best team they’ve played, we’ll see.
Mr F, I’ve been at most games and I have to agree with you on Motherwell , I just have a feeling it will click tonight, it simply has to for the manager
I see Warburton is playing down the importance of the game in the record today. Whether he agrees or not, all rangers fans are going to take it as a measure of how far they have come from last season.
Gers have only lost 1 goal at Ibrox but I fancy St Johnstone to score tonight so Rangers will need to score 2 to progress.
Both teams to score at Ibrox was 1.8(4/5) earlier int he week and was snapped up. I think goals look likely tonight. Saint J imo can really trouble Rangers more than they have been yet this season.
Steven MacLean is a massive player for them and it was interesting to see him rested on Saturday. Wright has revenge in his mind if you ask me.
Tonight could be the night where the Rangers defence is found out or it proves the doubters wrong.
Found out for me. I think the St J midfield could dominate too.
Took Saint @ 5.5 for a small stake. Still available @ 4/1 and I still contend that’s a decent price. Rangers should bot be odds on imo
Good luck
Fitba Tips, MacLean wasn’t rested at the weekend with this game in mind – he can’t play on plastic pitches.
I suppose thats more accurate Mr F
I do get carried away with myself sometimes ;)
Most of the upsets in the cups will come from teams in divisions above resting players, playing fringe/youth players or going out with a bad attitude against lesser teams. That won’t be the case with st Johnstone and Rangers and has the makings of an exciting game.
PedroJord
Interestingly Mark Warburton has hinted that he will utilise his squad tonight. Not sure how far that will go as the squad is a little thin on strength in depth. 3/4 changes perhaps? If Rangers make more than that they will likely struggle a lot.
Rangers-1
NAP
****GREAT VALUE BET (HEADS UP)****
CELTIC VS RAITH ROVERS (WED)
Celtic 1/16 at home to Raith Rovers should breeze past them with ease. It’s hard to spot value but I think I’ve found a cracker. Nir Bitton should start and after his goal against Ajax, the midfielder is a huge 20/1 with Coral and Bet365 to score first goal. compare this price to Betfred’s 8/1 and Hills and Ladbrokes 9/1 and I’m sure you’ll agree. Even better value is Bitton to score anytime. He’s a measly 6/4 with William Hill and a massive 7/1 with Coral. I’m not sure the price will hold out as in my opinion Coral have priced this up wrong.
RECOMMENDED BETS
Nir Bitton First Goalscorer @ 20/1
Nir Bitton Anytime Goalscorer @ 7/1 (Coral)
Good luck everyone
Chris, the key is IF he starts. I imagine Celtic will make a few changes.
I can see a big upset tonight Saints to win 9/2 is way too big a price.
anton, I can see why people would take that price.
In reality it’s only a shock if Rangers win!
Anyway I’m off for some fresh air.
St Johnstone to score is 4-9 or 2 or more 9-4 good bet I think lads
I don’t think there is any difference at all in quality between the top half of the Championship and the bottom of the Premier.
Dundee and Hamilton were comfortably mid table last year after promotion, Hearts haven’t had any trouble with the step up this year. Most relegated teams find it very hard to get back out of the Championship.
Rangers to win this one fairly comfortably for me.
Jmac surely will get sacked if we go out the cup tonight.
Rangers are unproven at this level under Warburton, if they have improved as some might think btts and Rangers would be nap at 9/4 skybet
Foderingham
Tavenier kiernan Wilson Wallace
Holt halliday zalalem Miller
Waghorn oduwa
Should win strongest 11 really
I couldn’t back Saints to score tonight. They’ll be parking the bus hoping for a 0-0, same as last year.
Posted earlier on Greg’s thread
Team line up depending I’m going with Dundee United to win to nill @ 9/4(Bet365)
United only making two changes from Saturday, Robson in for Dillon and Telfer in for Dow so I’ll be going with that.
So probably best getting your money on dunfermline to score in the 1st 20mins lol.
St Johnstone 13/10 on the dc before the match. Fancied it strongly but couldn’t get any money into my account pre kick off!! Woe is me :-(
Strongest 11 not strong enough for mid table premier league