Live on ESPN: Sat 12.30: League leaders Celtic are 11/8 (bet365) to beat St Mirren ‘to nil’ in the pair’s SPL clash this weekend.
The goals have been flying in this season at Greenhill Road, where St Mirren’s four home matches have seen the scorers troubled a whopping 18 times. In theory then, it should be a high-scoring affair as Celtic head to Paisley, where it’s 8/11 with Stan James for the two teams to come up with at least three goals between them.
However, it’s worth noting that the Buddies have failed to score past the Hoops in six attempts, a sequence that stretches back to their stunning 4-0 demolition of the Old Firm giants in March 2010 while Neil Lennon’s men have kept three consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League, so it would be a brave punter that backs another glut today.
The smart money is on a Celtic victory ‘to nil’ then, at 11/8 via bet365, especially as a straightforward away victory pays at just 1/2 courtesy of William Hill and punters wanting a bit more bang for their buck can back the Bhoys at 13/2 (William Hill) to strike twice without reply.
Elsewhere, in ten of their last eleven matches in all competitions, the visitors have found the net in the first period and they can continue in that vein so Stan James’ offer of 6/5 about them leading at the end of each half looks a safe bet.
In attack for Lennon’s boys meanwhile, Gary Hooper has been all the rage in the first scorer and Ladbrokes now make him just 3/1 to break the deadlock. With goals in consecutive appearances for the Hoops however, Greek front man Georgios Samaras arguably represents slightly better first scorer value at 5/1 via bet365.
Hearts have managed only two wins in nine outings this term and have lost four of their last five so they look set for a tough afternoon as they lock horns with Motherwell at Tynescastle. The Steelmen haven’t quite convinced themselves so far but they’re unbeaten in four matches on the road and they’re undoubtedly overpriced at 23/10 with BetVictor to get the better of the stuttering Jambos tomorrow.
Nevertheless, a close affair looks inevitable and Stan James post a tempting 19/5 against a ‘Well triumph by a solitary while Michael Higdon, who has helped himself to seven goals in his last five SPL appearances, is a 6/1 shot at Skybet to open the scoring.
In contrast to their neighbours, Hibs have surpassed expectations this season, taking 15 points from an available 27 to sit in second place behind champions Celtic. The Hibees’ decent start has largely been down to their form at Easter Road, where they’re unbeaten in five games so far but Pat Fenlon’s can improve their away record this afternoon as they visit Ross County.
The Staggies have yet to pick up a victory on their own turf this term, a record they’re 8/5 (Ladbrokes) to remedy, and although three of their four games at Victoria Park have ended all square, they could find themselves edged out by a Hibs team, buoyed by a 3-0 hammering of Dundee last time out.
Betfred post 13/8 against an away win and that’s worth a quid or two while bet365 quote Hibees front man Eoin Doyle at a hefty 3/1 to get on the scoresheet at any stage for the fourth match in a row.
At Tannadice, Dundee United are looking to bounce back from two heavy defeats, at the hands of Hearts and Inverness respectively, as they entertain Aberdeen. Betfred have installed the Terrors as 11/10 favourites to stop the rot by seeing off the Dons, Paddy Power’s 13/5 underdogs but Peter Houston’s troops haven’t scored in four league matches so it could be set to end in stalemate, a result available via Ladbrokes at 12/5.
Moreover, United’s struggles in attack mean a 0-0 draw, at 8/1 (Skybet) isn’t out of the question in a clash that’s 4/6 at Stan James to produce under 2.5 goals.
Finally, in-form St Johnstone will certainly fancy their chances of carding a fifth straight Premier League success as they face Kilmarnock at McDiarmid Park and BetVictor make the high-flying Saints a tempting 11/10 to send their patchy opponents back to Ayrshire empty-handed.
Recommended Bets:
Celtic to beat St Mirren 2-0 – 13/2 (William Hill)
Motherwell to beat Hearts – 23/10 (BetVictor)
Eoin Doyle to score at any time – 3/1 (bet365)
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