Live on BTSport 1: Sun 12.30: A 14/5 double (bet365) and 10/3 chance (Ladbrokes) are two of Peter Sharkey’s four Scottish Premiership picks.
The new football season has kicked off in predictably cagey fashion, further evidence of which came last week when five of the Scottish Premiership’s six matches ended either as draws or were settled by a single goal.
These figures would suggest that, as we’re still at the campaign’s early stages, punters should continue to err on the side of caution when forecasting match outcomes, bearing in mind that more than half (7) of last weekend’s eleven top flight goals were scored after the 75th minute – as St Johnstone confirmed in spades against Aberdeen last week.
The Saints travel to Fir Park on Saturday as bet365’s 11/5 underdogs to face a Motherwell team (5/4, Winner.com) that has lost three of its opening four matches. BetVictor.com post 13/5 against the stalemate and attention should be paid to Stan James’s 13/2 odds chalked against it finishing 1-1.
Inverness have made an encouraging start to their season and Ladbrokes’ 10/3 for them to overhaul Kilmarnock by a single goal holds obvious appeal, particularly as three of the pair’s last five contests have ended 2-1 in Thistle’s favour.
Aberdeen (5/6, William Hill), eager to bounce back from last weekend’s reverse at St Johnstone, entertain Partick (15/4, Skybet) at Pittodrie. The Dons won the corresponding fixture 4-0 last term and they’re 7/4 (Winner.com) to secure three points without conceding on Saturday.
Hamilton, who scored twice in the final three minutes to beat Partick last Saturday, propelling themselves into second place in the league table, host Ross County at New Douglas Park. The Accies, priced as Betway’s 11/10 favourites, look good value, as do unbeaten Dundee (11/2, bet365) to overhaul Celtic on Sunday after the champions slipped up at Inverness last weekend and were dumped out of the Champions League on Tuesday.
Finally, St Mirren and Dundee United produced 14 goals in three league duels last term, a statistic which adds to the appeal of Ladbrokes’ even money for Saturday’s encounter to yield more than 2.5 goals.
Elsewhere, Paddy Power offer 10/11 about the game’s final goal coming after the 75th minute and a 1-0 away win is priced at 7/1 by Stan James. A 2-2 draw can be backed at 15/1 with BetVictor.com.
Recommended Bets:
Motherwell and St Johnstone to draw – 13/5 (BetVictor)
Inverness to beat Kilmarnock by one – 10/3 (Ladbrokes)
Double on Aberdeen & Hamilton – 14/5 (bet365)
Over 2.5 goals in St Mirren v Dundee Utd – evens (Ladbrokes)
Compare all Scottish Premiership odds and bet at the best price.
