FOOTBALL BETTING::
Betrescue Director David Russell gives his weekly preview of the weekend’s top flight action in Scotland. This week it’s the Scottish Cup 4th Round.
With much of Scotland under several inches of snow now coated with freezing ice, a number of Active Nations Scottish Cup ties have already been postponed.
Bookies have nonetheless prepared prices on a limited number of matches just in case they’re played,
For example, Aberdeen remain hopeful of staging the fourth round’s biggest tie when they host Hearts at Pittodrie. Five of the last nine fixtures involving the pair have ended as draws and Betdaq’s 12/5 for it to finish level again on Saturday has attracted plenty of support. Stan James post 11/2 against a repeat of October’s 1-1 outcome, while Paddy Power mark a goalless draw at 9/1.
In other ties, Irvine Meadow are a massive 22/1 (bet365) to overcome Hibs at Easter Road and Inverurie Loco Works are Totesport’s 12/1 choice to beat Division One high-fliers Ross County. When handed the benefit of a one-goal start by Betfred, the non-leaguers are 3/1 to win.
Should it go ahead, perhaps the most fascinating tie pits Edinburgh City (21/10, 888Sport) against Montrose, currently 13/10 with Stan James.
Montrose are bottom of Division Three without a win in 17 league matches, during which they’ve scored just 9 goals. William Hill offer a 1-1 draw at 6/1, but the appeal of Betfred’s 15/2 for Edinburgh to win 1-0 cannot be ignored.
When it comes to probable winners of the trophy, bookies’ odds are unaffected by the weather. Celtic are Victor Chandler’s marginal 6/4 favourites with Rangers offered at 15/8 by Partybets. Both Hibs and Dundee United are available at 14/1 with Ladbrokes, while Aberdeen look a decent each-way bet, also at 14/1 with online firm Jaxx.com.
To compare all the weekend’s match odds, click here or to claim over £2500 in free bets, click here.