Happy New Year to you all. I truly hope 2021 is a better year for everyone. I have two angles of attack in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.
Rangers vs Celtic ( Saturday, 12:30)
The new year kicks-off with a colossal Old Firm showdown at Ibrox Saturday lunchtime in what is one of the most important derby days in a decade.
Given what's at stake here I'm going to steer clear of the more traditional markets, however, there is an alternative angle that has caught my eye in Sky Bet's Request A Bet market.
The combination of both teams to take at least one corner in each half and both teams to collect 10+ booking points gives us a nicely priced 4/5 shot with Sky Bet.
Unsurprisingly Rangers and Celtic rank first and second respectively in the team corner charts, with the Teddy Bears averaging 7.29 corners per 90 minutes, whilst the Hoops are hitting 6.61 flag kicks per game on average.
Indeed, Rangers are flying high at the summit of the Scottish Premiership but it's worth noting that the Light Blues conceded eight corners at home to Hibs on Boxing Day and St Mirren racked up six corners against Steven Gerrard's side in midweek.
With that in mind, coupled with Celtic's need for a positive result here I'm more than happy to back the Bhoys to hit at least one corner either side of the interval at Ibrox.
What's more, both Rangers full-backs play a key role in Gerrard's preferred system by providing width so the Gers should also be good for one or more corner in each half during this dust-up.
There is no doubting the huge importance of this derby and it's no secret that the Old Firm is notorious for being a fiery fixture so I'll happily back each team to collect at least 10 booking points during this crucial clash.
Hibs vs Livingston ( Saturday, 15:00)
My second pick comes from Easter Road on Saturday where I reckon Livingston look overpriced at 10/11 (SkyBet) to receive 20+ Booking Points during their capital clash with Hibs.
David Martindale has made a dream start to life in the Tony Macaroni hotseat but the Lions have clocked up two or more cards in all but one of their six matches under Martindale's watch.
Livi look like they have reverted back to their more customary aggressive style of play and given that a trip to fourth-placed Hibernian will represent a serious upgrade on all of their recent challenges I like the look of backing the visitors to rack up a couple of cards in the capital.
What's more, Hibs are drawing 13.8 fouls per game from their opponents this season – the second highest in the Scottish Premiership – and it's also worth mentioning that Livi's 14.2 fouls conceded per 90 minutes is the highest average in the division at this stage of the season.
David Munro is the man in the middle on Saturday and he is averaging 3.38 yellow cards per game this season and he has shown Livingston at least two cards in the two games he has officiated involving the men from West Lothian this term.
It's also worth noting that the above-mentioned betting angle has banked in four of Hibs' last six matches across all competitions and that only adds to the appeal of siding with a repeat this weekend.
Recommended Bets
- Rangers vs Celtic – 1+ Corner Each Team In Each Half & 10+ Booking Points Each Team (4/5, Sky Bet)
- Hibernian vs Livingston – Livingston 20+ Booking Points (10/11, Sky Bet)
Freelance Sports Writer and Betting Analyst with over five years experience. I’ve written football and darts betting content for some of the biggest betting websites and newspapers in the UK. With a strong passion for the fascinating world of Scottish football, I also regularly feature in Nutmeg, the much-loved Scottish football magazine. Falkirk season ticket holder and avid watcher of football and darts, whether it be UK-based or further afield. Feel free to follow me on X @SlipsTips
Not the best day today Slips. Hopefully next time we will have better luck.