Live on BT Sport 2: Sat 12.15: Peter Sharkey previews the action in Scotland and his four picks include a 10/3 double (BetVictor).
An early Michael O’Halloran strike ensured that St Johnstone secured a 1-0 victory over St Mirren when the pair met at Love Street in December. The win arrived midway through St Johnstone’s most productive period of the season, when they secured six consecutive victories. Though they’ve been unable to carry that impressive form into 2015, it would take a brave man to bet against them beating St Mirren when the duo lock horns at McDiarmid Park on Saturday.
St Johnstone are installed as William Hill’s 5/6 favourites to secure maximum points. Bottom club St Mirren, by contrast, kick off as BetVictor’s massive 4/1 underdogs to overhaul a side they beat on the same ground in early October.
Indeed, St Johnstone’s miserable 2015 form means that plenty of punters are anticipating a close match, which explains why bet365’s 11/4 for the home side to enjoy victory by a single goal has proved so popular, although the draw, (3/1, Stan James) has attracted steady support.
Partick, who hammered St Johnstone last weekend, host Inverness at Firhill, yet despite having beaten the Highlanders twice this term, it’s a match they start as Skybet’s 9/4 underdogs. Only the Premiership’s leading duo have won more away matches than Inverness this season, which suggests that at 11/8 to secure three points (Betway), they’re worth backing.
Kilmarnock have won five and drawn two of their nine duels with Ross since the latter were promoted in 2012, but Winner.com consider Ross their 5/4 favourites to defeat a side they thrashed in November. However, no team has drawn more away matches than Kilmarnock this term, a statistic which enhances the appeal of Ladbrokes’ 5/2, posted against the stalemate.
Aberdeen have won eight of their last ten away league fixtures, during which they’ve lost only once (at Celtic) and their 5/6 price (Skybet) to make it nine wins from 11 when they face Dundee at Dens Park looks decent value. Dundee have scored just six goals in their last seven outings, a run which adds to the appeal of BetVictor’s 13/2 posted about a 1-0 away win.
Finally, Celtic and Dundee United meet for the fourth time in 13 days, but it’s difficult to see United (12/1, Stan James) getting the better of the champions (1/4, bet365), who are 2/1 (Paddy Power) to win when kicking off with a two-goal deficit.
Recommended Bets:
Celtic (-2) to beat Dundee Utd – 2/1 (Paddy Power)
Kilmarnock and Ross County to draw – 5/2 (Ladbrokes)
St Johnstone to beat St Mirren by one – 11/4 (bet365)
Aberdeen and Inverness double – 10/3 (BetVictor)
Compare all Scottish Premiership odds and bet at the best price.
