FOOTBALL BETTING: The CIS League Cup final and the Edinburgh derby are the big games in Scotland this weekend. David Russell previews the action north of the border.
Rangers (2/7, bet365) face St Mirren (10/1, Betfred) in Sunday’s CIS Cup final, a match in which Paddy Power offers 10/11 about Rangers keeping a clean sheet, but it could be much tighter than most punters anticipate.
Those who agree may fancy Ladbrokes’ 7/2 for Rangers to win following a drawn opening half, or perhaps 888Sport’s 5/6 for the total goal minutes to be less than 155.
Punters who envisage extra time could select Betdaq’s 9/2 for it to finish level at 90 minutes, but for those who can see an upset, Victor Chandler post 22/1 in favour of a 1-0 victory for the underdogs. Rangers are 5/1 (Totesport) to win 2-0.
Onto the SPL action and only once in 14 league matches since 2006 has an Edinburgh derby been settled by more than one goal and, as the protagonists have played out a pair of draws this term already, the likelihood of them contesting a third seems quite high.
Partybets mark the draw at 12/5, while William Hill post 5/1 in favour of I finishing 1-1; a goalless outcome is priced at 8/1 by Victor Chandler.
Despite Hibs’ ten point advantage over their neighbours, they travel to Tynecastle as Betfred’s 9/5 underdogs; 888Sport consider home advantage makes Hearts their 13/8 favourites. But given how close these fixtures usually are, bet365’s 7/2 for Hibs to win by a single goal cannot be discounted.
Hamilton and Falkirk meet for a genuine six-pointer with the home side priced as Betdaq’s 11/10 favourites, despite not having scored against Falkirk in their last three attempts. Ladbrokes offer Falkirk at 14/5 to secure their third away win of the campaign – generous considering they’ve lost only once against Hamilton in their last six meetings.
Stan James install Celtic as their overwhelming 1/4 favourites to overhaul St Johnstone this afternoon, while online firm Jaxx.com post an enormous 14/1 against the Saints recording their first league win at Celtic Park since 1998. Indeed, bookies believe the Saints’ focus will be on damage limitation – even the draw is rated a 5/1 shot by Paddy Power.
Aberdeen have lost seven of their last thirteen encounters with Dundee United, a record which has persuaded Totesport to price the visitors as their 13/8 favourites to make it eight from fourteen today; Partybets mark the draw at 12/5.
Offered at 9/5 (William Hill) to win, Aberdeen are also a 4/5 shot (Stan James) to open the scoring, while Jaxx.com rate them a 6/4 chance to keep a clean sheet.
Compare SPL and CIS Cup Final odds and bet at the best prices on every match in Scotland this weekend
