Peter Sharkey previews the New Year action north of the border. Compare SPL odds and bet at the best prices on over 50 markets on every game.
St Johnstone’s patchy form is unlikely to persuade backers that Dundee could register a rare victory at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday. The Dens lost 3-1 at home to the Saints in September and have managed only five away goals all season – they’re 9/2 (William Hill) odds to secure three points.
By contrast, the Perthshire side kick off as bet365’s 4/7 jollies and are 5/6 (Skybet) to hold a lead at the end of both halves, as they did when the sides last met. Dundee have lost six of their ten away fixtures to date, hence the attractiveness of Stan James’s 11/2 for the Saints to record a 2-0 victory.
Aberdeen and Dundee United drew 1-1 in October, a result which means they’ve drawn three of their last eight encounters, a record which adds appeal to BetVictor’s 23/10 odds posted about another stalemate.
Home advantage ensures the Dons start as Paddy Power’s 13/10 favourites, with United offered at 7/4 by bet365. Aberdeen won all three of the pair’s league duels last term and many punters expect them to win at Pittodrie: they’re 13/2 (Stan James) to win 1-0, while BetVictor.com chalk 6/1 against it finishing 1-1.
Despite harbouring legitimate European ambitions, Motherwell travel to Parkhead on Wednesday priced as bet365’s 8/1 outsiders to beat the champions. Indeed, they’re only just odds-on to win (4/5, Skybet) when handed a two goal start.
If that looks generous, consider that Motherwell have scored only once against Celtic in their last six league meetings, a statistic which adds lustre to Ladbrokes’ 5/6 for them to retain a clean sheet.
Given that they’ve drawn only once in their last 13 league meetings, it’s reasonable to assume that St Mirren and Kilmarnock will produce another conclusive outcome when they meet on Wednesday.
The Saints start as BetVictor’s 13/10 favourites and priced at 3/1 (bet365) to enjoy a one goal margin of victory, while Stan James prices a 2-1 home win at 8/1.
Ross County and Inverness have met three times this season, delivering 13 goals in the process. High-flying Thistle are a generous-looking 11/8 (William Hill) to win and 8/11 (Paddy Power) to open the scoring. Punters anticipating a goalfest can get 13/5 (bet365) about the match producing more than 3.5 goals.
Hibs last beat Hearts in the SPL in May 2009 and although they’re 12/5 (Stan James) to take maximum points from Tynecastle on Wednesday night, their elevated league position suggests they’re capable of starting 2013 with victory over their nearest rivals. Punters who concur can get 11/1 (Ladbrokes) about a 1-0 away win and 15/2 (BetVictor.com) against them emerging victorious following a drawn opening half.
