Live on ESPN: Sat: 12:00. There’s a full SPL programme on Saturday with Aberdeen v Hibs the live TV game. Compare SPL odds and read Peter Sharkey’s preview below
It would be no surprise if Aberdeen, who have drawn each of their four home league fixtures this term, recorded a fifth when they host high-flying Hibs at Pittodrie on Saturday lunchtime. Two of the pair’s last four encounters have finished all square, with the other two each settled by a single goal. Stan James post 9/4 about the stalemate, while bet365 offer 3/1 against the Dons enjoying a one goal margin of victory.
Home advantage accounts for Aberdeen’s status as Ladbrokes’ 5/4 favourites and Skybet chalk 6/1 against them winning 1-0. Nonetheless, it’s a surprise to see Hibs quoted as long as 5/2 (Paddy Power) to win, although the 8/1 offered by BetVictor.com for it to finish goalless has attracted steady support.
Dundee and St Johnstone last met in the First Division in 2008-09 when the Saints won two and the pair’s other two league meetings ended with honours even. Most bookies expect more of the same on Saturday with Stan James rating St Johnstone at 15/8 to hold a half time lead and Ladbrokes offering 4/6 about them opening the scoring.
Yet while Dundee prop up the SPL table, it’s worth remembering that they’re only four points adrift of St Johnstone.
Paddy Power quote 11/4 against the Saints enjoying a one goal margin of victory, while Skybet post an attractive looking 6/1 against them winning 1-0. A 2-1 away victory is priced at 9/1 by Stan James as bet365 chalk 9/4 against them holding a lead at the end of both halves.
Three of the last four encounters between Hearts and Kilmarnock have ended as draws, hence the appeal of bet365’s 5/2 price for Saturday’s duel to end with the points shared again. BetVictor.com post an attractive 4/1 against it finishing as a score draw, while William Hill offer 4/1 about both halves concluding with honours even.
Dundee United scored three goals each time they played Inverness last term and, as they’ve won their last five duels against the Highland side, they’re appropriately priced (at 6/4, Stan James) to register a sixth consecutive victory on Saturday.
Inverness, the only SPL side yet to register a league win, start as William Hill’s 21/10 outsiders, though given United’s goalscoring record in this fixture, bet365’s 9/2 odds for them to score more than 2.5 goals on Saturday is certainly worthy of further consideration.
Only a point separates St Mirren from Ross County who meet at Love Street on Saturday with the home side installed as Stan James’s clear 13/10 jollies. The pair met in the Scottish Cup last term, with St Mirren winning the replay 2-1 after a 1-1 draw at Ross. Another 1-1 outcome, priced at 6/1 by BetVictor.com, cannot be discounted.
Finally, Celtic have won each of their last five league duels against Motherwell, their opponents on Saturday, and there’s little to suggest this run is about to come to an end. BetVictor.com price the champions at 4/6 to win and considering that Motherwell have managed only one goal in those last five matches (Celtic have scored 14), bet365’s 7/5 for Celtic to retain a clean sheet looks outstanding value.
BetVictor.com offers 7/1 against a 2-0 Celtic success, while bet365 post 12/1 in favour of them winning 3-0.
Selections:
Singles: Draws at Aberdeen (9/4 Stan James); Hearts (5/2 bet365) and St Mirren 9/4 Betvictor
Treble: Above all to draw pays: 37/1
Happy returns
Peter Sharkey
