After delivering at least one winner in 11 of his last 12 featured columns, SlipsTips shares a double from the Scottish Cup on Saturday.
Livingston vs Raith Rovers (Saturday, 15:00)
Livingston and Raith Rovers face off in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup at the Tony Macaroni Arena on Saturday.
The two sides are having contrasting seasons, with Livi rock-bottom of the Scottish Premiership, while Rovers are jostling with Dundee United for the Scottish Championship title.
As such, this cup tie appears to have all the required ingredients for a potential upset, however, I’m instead going to factor this fixture into the first half of an even-money (William Hill) double by backing Raith Rovers to score on Saturday.
Ian Murray’s men carry plenty of attacking threat and that is evidenced by the fact that they have struck in a notable 19 of their 21 Championship fixtures this season so far.
Granted, the Kirkcaldy club will be coming up against top-flight opposition this weekend, but the visitors have already struck in League Cup road trips at both Hibernian and Kilmarnock this season.
Therefore, Raith are certainly capable of landing a blow against a Livingston side whose defensive standards have slipped in recent seasons.
David Martindale’s strugglers have failed to silence their opponents in 17 of their 21 top-flight tussles this term, not to mention they have only managed to keep their sheets clean in just 11 of their last 61 Scottish top-flight assignments.
With all that in mind, backing a Raith Rovers side who will be roared on by bumper away support to strike once forms this first leg of the double.
Ross County vs Partick Thistle (Saturday, 15:00)
Partick Thistle will be on a revenge mission when they make the trip to Dingwall to take on Ross County in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup on Saturday.
Kris Doolan’s Jags crashed to an agonising defeat in the Scottish Premiership playoff final last season, with the Staggies overturning a three-goal deficit in the final 20 minutes before prevailing on penalties.
Currently occupying third place in the Scottish Championship, Partick are on course for another crack at the playoffs at the end of this season where they may once again run into a Ross County side that are currently residing in the relegation playoff spot in the Scottish Premiership.
Whether or not the pair cross paths again in the pressure cooker of the playoffs remains to be seen, but in the meantime, I’m prepared to back the visitors to grab at least one goal on Saturday.
Thistle have earned a well-deserved reputation for being an attack-minded team and they are unlikely to sacrifice their principles when they make the long trek north this weekend.
Jags boss Kris Doolan has continued with the same attacking philosophy that took his team to the cusp of securing promotion last term, with the Maryhill outfit making the bet bulge 42 times across their 21 league games this season so far, a tally only marginally topped by league leaders Dundee United.
That does not bode well for a Ross County side who have lost three of their last four matches, shipping eight goals across that four-game sequence.
Therefore, with all things considered, I’m more than happy to round off the even-money (William Hill) double with a solitary Partick Thistle strike at the Global Energy Stadium.
Recommended Bet
- Over 0.5 Raith Rovers Goals
- Over 0.5 Partick Thistle Goals
- Double (1/1, William Hill)
In December 2020 we sadly 
