THE one difference between League Cup ties in England and Scotland is that north of the border everyone bar Celtic plays their strongest team.
It makes winners a little easier to find but there are still shocks, for example in the last round Stranraer beat Ross County and Hamilton won at Kilmarnock.
Hamilton are in action tonight and have been tipped in several places to win but I'm sticking with St Johnstone.
Saints have looked the part under Tommy Wright, were unlucky to lose at Celtic on Saturday and in Europe won away to Rosenborg and Minsk. That suggests a trip to Hamilton should hold no fears.
Stevie May goes back to New Douglas Park tonight in the League Cup as one of the most feared hitmen in the Scottish Premiership after starring for Accies last season on loan.
May is 5-1 with McBookie.com to score first and 17-10 to bag any anytime goal that will prompt a slow walk back to halfway and a goofy grin on his face.
There are three other League Cup ties and you have to fancy Inverness at Dundee.
Terry Butcher’s men will be looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season at Aberdeen and must see this as a tournament that provides them with a trophy chance.
ICT are 21-20 at William Hill and red-hot striker Billy McKay is 31-10 at McBookie.com to bang in the opener.
Celtic are no bigger than 1-6 and should see off a struggling Morton side with plenty to spare. Neil Lennon will give fringe men a chance and if Teemu Pukki starts, as seens likely, back the Finn to score first at 15-4 with McBookie.com
I tipped him to net the opener on his full debut against St Johnstone and he also scored at Hearts after coming on as a sub. The Hoops are worth a look on the handicaps and 1-2 at Titanbet to be leading at half-time.
Hibs are unbeaten in five after recovering from a horror start to the season that could have cost Pat Fenlon his job.
With James Collins in the goals they’re now looking the real deal and should see off Stranraer at Easter Road with something to spare.
Hibs are no bigger than 2-7 with William Hill but I’ll be on them at minus one at 4-7 with Skybet against a side who have conceded 13 goals this season.
Recommended Bets
Celtic -2
(9-10, McBookie.com)
McKay to score first
(31-10, McBookie.com)
May to score
(17-10, McBookie.com)
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.
Celtic -2 looks a shoe in a few fringe players should get the call and will be keen to impress.
With the big champions league fixture next midweek.
Celtic -2 hibs-2 is 3to1 double. Not a bad bet. Bet 365.
paddy power 6/5 celtic -2
#Celtic team to play Morton: Zaluska; Lustig, Ambrose, Van Dijk, Mulgrew; McGeouch, Brown, Biton, Boerrigter; Rogic; Pukki
This is tonight’s team above
You have done it again mrF. A nice wee first goal scorer double.
Zola fgs Aberdeen 2-1 40/1 Hills
Any English cup tips mr fixit
chazz, all my tips are up. I like Swansea and Stoke in the Capital One Cup and goals at Man Utd and West Brom.