Live on BBC Scotland: Sun 15.00: Peter Sharkey goes for a narrow St Mirren win in the League Cup final and a 23/20 (Coral) SPL double.
Hearts have only lost two of their last dozen matches against St Mirren, hence they start as Betfred’s clear 6/4 jollies to lift the Communities League Cup as the pair square up at Hampden Park.
However, the pair have met three times this term with St Miren winning twice and the Buddies also came out on top when the pair contested the 2010 semi final in this competition so they could have the upper hand here.
BetVictor post 19/10 against a St Mirren success and a repeat of their 1-0 victory at the last four stage three years ago is an 8/1 shot at Paddy Power. The best bet though is arguably Ladbrokes’ 4/1 for the Buddies to edge it by a one-goal margin.
Aberdeen held out until the 73rd minute before Celtic finally broke their resistance when the sides met at Pittodrie in mid-November, but it’s difficult to see the champions being kept at bay for that long when the duo reacquaint themselves at Parkhead today.
Understandably enough, Celtic kick off priced as Coral’s 1/3 favourites, not least because Aberdeen’s last win over Neil Lennon’s men came in January 2009. In addition, the Dons have managed to score only twice against the Hoops in the pair’s last eight meetings. Bet365’s evens for Celtic to retain a clean sheet and BetVictor’s 13/2 for Celtic to register a 2-0 victory have proved understandably popular.
Another ‘Cold Firm derby’ takes place tomorrow, this time at Inverness, only a fortnight after the teams met at Ross County’s Victoria Park ground. Home advantage accounts for Inverness’s status as Coral’s 11/8 favourites, though it would be foolish to ignore bet365’s 9/4 chalked about a Ross success.
The pair drew 0-0 two weeks ago, but having beaten their rivals 2-0 when they met in October, most punters appear inclined to back Inverness and a repeat of that outcome, priced at 11/1 by Hills. Skybet’s 3/1 for the Jags to enjoy a one goal margin of victory has, however, proved popular.
Dundee United enjoyed an ultimately comfortable 3-1 cup win over Dundee in early March and they’re strong favourites (8/13, BetVictor) to record their third consecutive league win over their neighbours on Sunday. Both SPL wins have been by the same 3-0 margin and punters can get 15/4 (William Hill) against United again winning by three goals. BetVictor post 6/4 about United being in front at the end of both halves.
Recommended Bets:
St Mirren to beat Hearts by one – 4/1 (Ladbrokes)
Double on Celtic and Dundee Utd – 23/20 (Coral)
Compare all SPL odds and bet at the best price.
