Live on Skysports 2: Sun 12.15: Controversial striker El Hadji Diouf is 16/1 with bet365 to be sent off for Rangers in the Old Firm derby.
El Hadji Diouf is probably the only football figure less popular than Andy Gray and Richard Keys and the attacker’s move to Rangers has caused a predictable hullabaloo. The Senegalese international received a red hot welcome to Scotland on Wednesday as no fewer than three Hearts players were cautioned for fouling him and William Hill offer 11/10 for a Celtic player to be booked for clattering the controversial attacker as he is thrust into the pressure-cooker atmosphere of the Old Firm derby.
The Hoops have more reason than most to feel animosity towards Diouf, who was fined five grand for spitting on Celtic fans in 2003, so punters may want to push the boat out by tackling Hills’ 16/1 for one of Neil Lennon’s men to be dismissed for a foul on the ‘Gers new boy, who is 16/1 with bet365 to live up to his reputation and see red himself.
Diouf is an eye catching 7/1 at Ladbrokes to be shown the first booking of the day and in what will inevitably be a fiery affair, Paddy Power offer 17/10 for any player to be given their marching orders.
The game itself is tough-to-call. The visiting team has won both derbies this term and that pattern is 2/1 at Stan James to continue with a Hoops success here. Walter Smith’s charges meanwhile, are bet365’s 7/5 favourites and a stalemate is a 9/4 chance with Partybets.
Taking on table-topping Celtic ‘Draw No Bet’ at 11/10 () isn’t the worst option but it’s the first scorer market that provides the best value. Totesport’s 8/1 for El Hadji Diouf to silence the Hoops fans with the opener will appeal to some punters but the sensible cash will be on Celtic’s Anthony Stokes at 7/1 with Paddy Power. The in-form marksman has six in his last eight outings and is also likely to be on penalty duty.
Finally, at Pittodrie, Aberdeen are 7/10 (bet365) to get the better of Division One outfit Dunfermline.
Recommended Bets:
A Celtic player to be booked for fouling El Hadji Diouf – 11/10 (William Hill)
Anthony Stokes to score first – 7/1 (Paddy Power)
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