After delivering three winners from four selections in his featured columns last weekend, SlipsTips is back with a trio of tips from this weekend's action in Scotland.
Queen of the South vs Annan Athletic (Saturday, 15:00)
Queen of the South will be aiming to make it back-to-back wins in Scottish League One when they lock horns with rivals Annan at Palmerston Park on Saturday.
Marvin Bartley’s men were on the wrong end of a high-scoring humdinger when losing 4-3 at home to Alloa in their season opener but they bounced back by earning a 2-1 win at Edinburgh City last weekend.
As for Annan, they have endured a baptism of fire in their maiden season in League One thus far, losing 3-0 to Falkirk before suffering a 3-1 defeat at home to Montrose.
Unsurprisingly, Queen of the South go into this game as general 4/6 shots but we can get some 5/6 (Betfair) on them to overcome a -0.75 start on the Asian Handicap and that looks like an enticing boost in price.
This selection would provide a full pay-out if the Doonhamers triumph by two goals or more, with a half-stakes winner banked if the home team bags a victory by a one-goal margin.
Doonhamers boss Bartley has made it publicly known that he has got his sights set on winning the League One title this term and his side finally appear to be moving in the right direction after last week’s aforementioned success in the capital.
What's more, the Queen of the South chief said his squad have been “buzzing” in training this week ahead of their first-ever league meeting with their rivals, and they should be quietly confident about the prospect of putting back-to-back wins on the board.
As already alluded, Annan have been comfortably dispatched of in their opening two league games of the season, not to mention they lost each of their four League Cup group games, one of which was against Lowland League side Albion Rovers.
While Peter Murphy’s men will have been boosted by their 3-1 Challenge Cup success over Stranraer in midweek, the task of travelling to Palmerston Park is a different kettle of fish
Given the hosts' superior quality, coupled with the possibility of part-time Annan feeling the effects of their midweek exertions, backing Queen of the South to overcome a -0.75 hurdle on the Asian Handicap stands out at 5/6 (Betfair).
Recommended Bet
- Queen of the South -0.75 (Asian Handicap)– 5/6 (Betfair)
Airdrie vs Ross County (Saturday, 15:00)
Airdrie and Ross County will go toe-to-toe for a place in the last-eight of the Scottish League Cup when the pair meet at the Penny Cars Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Diamonds continue to go from strength to strength under Rhys McCabe's management, as demonstrated the by the fact they won each of their four Viaplay Cup group games to set up this tie, not to mention they put Partick Thistle to the sword last Saturday en-route to their first three points of the season.
After avoiding relegation by the skin of their teeth last term, Ross County are also looking in decent nick too, with the Staggies also topping their section, while a spirited defeat Celtic and subsequent win over St Johnstone have been cause for optimism.
Naturally, top-flight County make the long trek to North Lanarkshire as 11/10 favourites, however I’m going to opt for an alternative angle with a view to supporting a goal heavy-game.
I successfully tipped up Over 2.5 goals in Airdrie’s aforementioned 2-1 win over Partick Thistle last Saturday and I’m more than happy to side with the same selection here at 10/11 (Betfair).
Airdrie boss McCabe told the press this week that his side will stick to their attacking principles when hosting Scottish Premiership opposition this weekend and that suggests that this could be an open contest, as often is the case when the Diamonds are involved.
The hosts were much lauded on route to promotion last season as they finished the campaign as the top-scoring side in League One, and they have more than enough talent to bloody Ross County’s nose.
While such tactics have paid dividends offensively, it has also led to McCabe’s men being regularly being caught out at the back, which doesn’t bode well ahead of a visit from a Ross County side that are looking reinvigorated this season.
Malky Mackay’s side racked up 13 strikes across their four League Cup group games and they have since struck twice against both Celtic and St Johnstone.
With all that in mind, the 10/11 (Betfair) about Over 2.5 Goals has to be considered as a strong selection at the Penny Cars Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Recommended Bet
- Over 2.5 Goals – 10/11 (Betfair)
Edinburgh City vs Hamilton (Saturday, 15:00)
Hamilton Academical will be hoping they can continue their perfect start to life in Scottish League One by earning another three points at Edinburgh City on Saturday afternoon.
Accies endured a miserable time of it last term when being relegated from the Scottish Championship, however, a plethora of shrewd looking signings coupled with a perfect start to the season has suddenly flipped the mood music in South Lanarkshire.
This is a stark contrast to Edinburgh City, who have started the season with back-to-back defeats against both Stirling Albion and Queen of the South respectively.
As such, the money has started to come for Hamilton, however I’m still prepared to get on board with the visitors here with a -0.75 start on the Asian line at 21/20 (Betfair).
John’s Rankin looks to have assembled what looks very much like a Championship standard team on paper and that has been noticeable during the early weeks of the new season.
Accies avoided defeat in each of their four league cup group games – holding top-flight Livingston to a draw on their own patch in the process – and they have since overcome both Cove Rangers and Kelty Hearts to move to the summit of the standings.
While Edinburgh City exceeded all expectations last season, they have lost quite a number of key players in the past few months and consequently look set for a season of struggle this time around.
Therefore, backing an in-form Hamilton side that are setting the early pace in League One to overcome a 0-75 hurdle looks a value angle of attack at 21/20 (Betfair) given the gulf in quality between these two sides.
Recommended Bet
- Hamilton -0.75 (Asian Handicap)– 21/20 (Betfair)
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
