Live on Sky Sports 3: Sat 12.45: A 5/1 upset (Stan James) and 3/1 double (BetVictor) are two of our four Scottish Premiership picks.
Only a last-minute equaliser saved Celtic from defeat when they met Dundee United at Parkhead last November and the Terrors have an opportunity to go one better when they meet at Tannadice on Saturday lunchtime. Both teams have taken 19 points from their last eight games, a record which suggests that at 5/1 (Stan James), United might be a tad over-priced. William Hill offer the champions at 8/13, but bet365’s 13/2 for it to finish one apiece cannot be ignored.
Disappointed to drop two points against Partick last weekend, St Johnstone travel to Rugby Park on Saturday, a ground where they’ve won three and drawn three on their last half dozen visits. The Saints open priced at 9/5 by Betfred to secure maximum points, but scoring the game’s opening goal could prove pivotal. Bet365 consider St Johnstone an 11/10 shot to get it, although Skybet’s 4/6, chalked in favour of both teams scoring, is an odds-on indication of how well matched these teams are.
The pair have registered three goalless draws in their last nine duels – the other half dozen have finished decisively – and the likelihood of it ending 0-0 again on Saturday is considered a 9/1 chance according to Ladbrokes.
Both Partick and Hearts scored late goals when they met at Firhill in August and they reacquaint themselves on Saturday in a fixture that Thistle kick off as BetVictor’s 3/4 favourites. Despite last week’s heroics at Tynecastle, Hearts (9/2, Paddy Power) will find it difficult to secure victory and Skybet’s 6/1, posted about a 1-0 home win, offers decent value.
With just four points from their last half dozen matches, St Mirren kick off as Ladbrokes’ understandably long 23/10 outsiders to overhaul Motherwell (5/4, Betway) on Saturday. Motherwell, still chasing second place, are 4/5 (Winner.com) to open the scoring and 8/1 (Paddy Power) to win 1-0.
Finally, Hibs and Aberdeen have served up just five goals in their last six meetings, a record which suggests that Stan James’s 8/1 for Monday night’s contest to end goalless has the look of a nap about it. The Dons, with one defeat in their last eight, are BetVictor’s 6/5 favourites to capture three points, although the draw (23/10, bet365), is worthy of further consideration.
Recommended Bets:
Dundee Utd to beat Celtic – 5/1 (Stan James)
St Johnstone to beat Kilmarnock – 9/5 (Betfred)
Partick & Motherwell double – 3/1 (BetVictor)
Hibs v Aberdeen to be 0-0 – 8/1 (Stan James)
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