After delivering a pair of winners in his featured column last weekend, SlipsTips is back with a trio of selections from this weekend's action in the SPFL.
Airdrie vs Raith Rovers (Saturday, 15:00)
Raith Rovers will be looking to preserve their place at the top of the Scottish Championship with a win away at Airdrie on Saturday.
Ian Murray’s men made it four league wins on the bounce with a last-gasp 1-0 win over Inverness at Starks Park last Saturday, and leapfrogged Dundee United at the summit in the process.
Airdrie, on the other hand, started the season brightly before dropping off the boil in recent weeks, losing their last two road games 2-0 and 4-0 at both Dundee United and Arbroath respectively.
As such, Raith Rovers will attract plenty of attention from punters this weekend at odds-against quotes, however it's difficult to look beyond a goals-based angle in North Lanarkshire.
With Airdrie back at their Penny Cars Stadium base on Saturday, goals again look like our best form of attack with Over 2.5 strikes standing out at 4/5 (Bet 365).
Four of Airdrie’s opening five Championship fixtures of the season have featured three or more goals and that can be attributed to their proactive approach under manager Rhys McCabe.
Despite coming unstuck in their last two league games, the Diamonds boss will almost certainly stick to his philosophies and attacking principles when Scottish Championship pacesetters Raith Rovers come to town.
Goals have also been prominent in games involving Ian Murray's guests this season, with three of their five five second tier fixtures producing four or more match goals, a sample that includes a pair of 3-2 victories.
In fact, the Kirkcaldy club have covered the Over 2.5 goal line themselves in three of their last six matches across all competitions, and they are certainly capable of delivering three strikes against a Diamonds defence that leak more than fair share.
Collectively, the duo have surpassed the Over 2.5 Goals mark in seven of their 10 Scottish Championship assignments this season and that only strengthens the case for another goal-filled game on Saturday.
Recommended Bet
- Over 2.5 Goals – 4/5 (Bet 365)
Partick Thistle vs Arbroath (Saturday, 15:00)
Two of the Scottish Championship’s in-form sides face off at Firhill on Saturday, as Partick Thistle play host to Arbroath.
After picking up just one point from their opening two league games of the season, the third-placed Jags have hit top gear in recent weeks, most recently romping to a 4-0 win at Ayr United.
Visitors Arbroath also endured a sticky start to the season with three straight losses, however Dick Campell’s side have since scooped maximum points from the three fixtures that followed, with last week’s 4-0 drubbing of Airdrie the pick of the bunch.
Despite both sides going into this fixture in fine fettle, it’s Partick Thistle who are heavy favourites here at a general 6/10.
I’m keen to keep Kris Doolan’s hosts onside Saturday and I’m prepared to back with them with a -0.75 start on the Asian Handicap at 17/20 (Bet 365).
This selection would deliver a full pay-out if Partick prevail by two goals or more, with a half-stakes winner pocketed if the home team secure a victory by a one-goal margin.
The Jags justified my faith in them last Friday night when sweeping aside Ayr United at Somerset Park and I suspect they will prove too hot to handle for Arbroath this weekend.
The Maryhill outfit have been scoring goals by the bucket load of late, racking up 11 strikes across their last three league games, and becoming the SPFL’s top scoring side in the process.
That sample includes wins over the aforementioned Ayr, as well as a pair of impressive victories against Queen’s Park and Greenock Morton.
While Dick Campbell’s crew should be heading to Glasgow’s west end in a confident mood, free-scoring Thistle will represent a step up in class on the Red Lichties’ recent opposition.
What’s more, Arbroath will be without club stalwart Ricky Little following his red card against Airdrie last weekend, a big blow that will force a reshuffle within their rearguard.
With all that in mind, backing Partick Thistle to overcome a -0.75 hurdle for the fourth league game in succession holds plenty of appeal at 17/20 with Bet 365.
Staying at Firhill, I’m also going to back Brian Graham to grab another goal here at an appetising 13/10 with William Hill.
The Thistle skipper has notched up four goals across his last three league games and he looks nicely priced to continue his current hot-streak in front of goal against the Smokies.
Recommended Bets
- Partick Thistle -0.75 (Asian Handicap) – 17/20 (Bet 365)
- Brian Graham Anytime Goalscorer – 13/10 (William Hill)
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
