Live on BTSport 1 & BBC1 Scot: Sat 17.30 & Sun 14.30: A St Johnstone win in a 19/10 double (Coral) is one of our three picks in Scotland this weekend.
There’s a certain inevitability about matches involving Dundee United and St Mirren – they’re almost guaranteed to produce goals, as the pair’s last four meetings have proved. Sixteen goals have been scored during their recent duels and that, incredibly, includes one which ended goalless.
Punters expecting the duo to serve up another goalfest can get 14/1 (Skybet) against it finishing 2-2, although given the magnitude of United’s apparent superiority (they’re 8/13 with William Hill to win), perhaps backing a 3-1 home success, priced at 12/1 by BetVictor.com, could be a more profitable wager.
Yet prior to their recent goal-storming sessions, five of their previous seven matches ended all-square. Ladbrokes prices another draw at 14/5, while Winner.com post 9/2 against both halves finishing on level terms.
Partick and Hibs have endured miserable starts to 2014 with victories proving elusive for both sides. Not surprisingly then, there’s little to choose between them prior to their meeting at Firhill where Partick kick off as Paddy Power’s 6/4 jollies and Hibs open at 7/4 with Betway.
The pair have produced just three goals in their two encounters so far this season and a 1-1 outcome (11/2, Stan James), together with a goalless result (8/1, bet365) have proved understandably popular. A safer bet is Skybet’s 12/5 about an inconclusive affair.
There’s little doubt that Saturday tea-time’s encounter between St Johnstone and Ross County will be tight. Only one of the pair’s last half dozen matches has been settled by more than one goal and the likelihood of it finishing level, priced at 12/5 by BetVictor.com, has attracted steady support. However, just one of those last six meetings have finished in an away success, a record which accounts for the appeal of bet365’s 5/6 odds posted against a Saints victory.
On paper, Aberdeen, who have lost only twice since Boxing Day, should justify their status as Skybet’s 5/4 favourites and claim the League Cup with something to spare, although Inverness, quoted at 13/5 by Winner.com, will have something to say about that.
Matches involving these two are usually settled by a single goal, a record which adds appeal to Paddy Power’s 11/4 for the Dons to enjoy a one goal margin of victory. Aberdeen are 3/1 (Betway) to win without conceding, while Stan James chalks 6/1 against it ending 1-1 at 90 minutes – BetVictor.com make the Dons 4/7 to eventually lift the trophy.
Recommended Bets:
Aberdeen to beat Inverness by a one-goal margin – 11/4 (Paddy Power)
Partick and Hibs to draw – 12/5 (Skybet)
Double on Dundee Utd and St Johnstone – 19/10 (Coral)
Compare all Scottish Cup and Premiership odds and bet at the best price.
