Live on Sky Sports 2: Sun 12.30: Celtic are bankers at 1/3 with Ladbrokes to see off Hearts as the SPL season draws to a close.
Last Sunday at Tannadice, Celtic were definitely worth opposing and shrewd punters will have been quids-in if they’d taken the 3/1 about the Terrors edging out the Hoops. However, back on home soil, Neil Lennon’s boys won’t slip up again as they welcome Hearts to Parkhead.
Celtic will be keen to gain a modicum of revenge for their controversial Scottish Cup semi-final reverse against the Jambos and their formidable record in front of their own supporters suggests that Ladbrokes’ 1/3 for the Hoops to come out on top is a banker.
Moreover, Paulo Sergio’s charges, BetVictor’s 9/1 outsiders, are bound to have an eye on next weekend’s cup final showdown with neighbours Hibs so they’re unlikely to go into this one at full tilt even though they have the chance of qualifying for the Europa League.
It should be one-way traffic then and with Lennon’s men having not conceded on their own patch since their 2-1 triumph over Dundee United in mid-January, they’re set to prevail ‘to nil’ against a less than motivated opponent, an outcome Skybet quote at a tempting 6/5.
More precisely, Coral chalk Celtic up at 6/1 to strike twice without reply and in what should be a relaxed end-of-season affair, the Hoops can cruise through the gears early in proceedings and get their noses in front before the interval.
Paddy Power’s 10/11 for the hosts to lead at the end of each half is worth a flutter then and along similar lines, Stan James post 9/10 against the game’s opener arriving before the 27th minute.
Gary Hooper has found the net in his last two meetings with Hearts and at 3/1 via Betfred, he’s decent value to notch first. The Hoops front man is just 8/11 (Boylesports) to get on the scoresheet at any stage but an interesting outsider crops up in that market. Victor Wanyama has managed four goals this term but two of those have come against the Jambos and the Belgian midfielder is a hefty 15/2 with bet365 to add to his tally at any time here.
Vying for a Europa League spot with Hearts, St Johnstone have plenty to play for as they entertain hapless and there will be no shortage of punters tackling Betfred’s 3/1 for Steve Lomas’ troops to send the Light Blues home from Perth empty-handed.
However, to say Saints are limping over the finish line would be something of an understatement, the home side having taken just one point from their last six outings and while Ally McCoist’s men have a plethora of problems at present, they’ll be keen to end a horror campaign on a high and they possess enough quality to pick up a morale-boosting victory at McDiarmid Park, where they’re too big at 19/20 with Ladbrokes.
Finally, at Fir Park, it’s third meets fourth and Motherwell edge favouritism at 8/5 courtesy of Skybet as they lock horns with Peter Houston’s Dundee United, Betfred’s 15/8 outsiders. It’s a dead rubber so a laid back encounter could be on the cards and a high-scoring draw looks the call. Boylesports mark 12/5 against it finishing all square and William Hill quote a 2-2 scoreline at 14/1.
Recommended Bets:
Celtic to beat Hearts 2-0 0 6/1 (Coral)
Gary Hooper to score first – 3/1 (Betfred)
Rangers to beat St Johnstone – 19/20 (Ladbrokes)
Motherwell and Dundee Utd to draw 2-2 – 14/1 (William Hill)
Compare all SPL odds and bet at the best price.
