Live on Skysports 4: Sun 12.45: Celtic are 4/9 (Paddy Power) to beat St Mirren in the SPL but a clean sheet looks unlikely.
St Mirren famously defeated Celtic on their way to winning the Communities League Cup but their recent SPL record against the Hoops leaves plenty to be desired. The Buddies haven’t managed to score past the champions-elect in the league in eight attempts, a run stretching back to March 2010 and bet365 make it 11/10 for that barren spell against the Bhoys to continue.
Paddy Power have installed Neil Lennon’s men as 4/9 favourites for the points at Love Street, where they have triumphed on their last five visits but while Celtic should emerge victorious, their recent defensive displays suggest that there’s also every chance that Danny Lennon’s troops, Stan James’ 13/2 underdogs, can finally bag that elusive league goal against them.
The Hoops have retained just one clean sheet in the SPL in eight attempts and that shutout came against rock bottom Dundee; they’ve also conceded eight goals in their last three league outings so Ladbrokes’ 10/11 for both teams to get on the scoresheet has to be fancied.
Similarly, BetVictor’s 3/4 for the Paisley tussle to generate three or more goals seems a safe enough bet while the value pick of the day has to be Coral’s massive 11/5 for Lennon’s boys to come out on top but to also concede at least once.
More ambitious punters can take that a touch further by backing a 2-1 Hoops success at 17/2 via BetVictor while Stan James offer a more convincing 3-1 scoreline at 12/1 although as Celtic have lost their last couple of league fixtures on the road, it perhaps unwise to assume they’ll cruise to victory against a side still on a high following their glorious day at Hampden Park a fortnight ago.
In attack Gary Hooper has struck in the last couple and the Hoops front man is the obvious first scorer choice at 10/3 courtesy of Skybet, however, there’s some appeal in backing Charlie Mulgrew to find the net too. The Bhoys defender has also notched in his last couple but has also helped himself to four goals in seven domestic matches so he’s generously priced at 11/2 (William Hill) to net at any point in this one.
Recommended Bets:
Celtic to win ‘not to nil’ – 11/5 (Coral)
Charlie Mulgrew to score at any time – 11/2 (William Hill)
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