THERE are two big games in the Scottish Championship on Tuesday as both Queen Of The South and Falkirk aim for a place in the play-offs. Chris Graham (@chrisgraham79) takes a look at the odds.
Cowdenbeath v Falkirk | Tuesday 19:45
Make no mistake, it's a big night for Queen Of The South and Falkirk on Tuesday. Both are in the hunt for what's likely to be the final play-off place and it's the Dumfries side who hold a four point advantage over the Bairns with eight games left.
My gut feel is that both sides have been priced up too short in the betting on Tuesday and I'll make a case for opposing the sides here.
Cowdenbeath are as big as 5/1 with BetVictor to win at Central Park on Tuesday night. Granted, it's unlikely, but let's not forget this is a side that drew with Rangers at home two weeks ago. Defeats to Hibs and Queen Of The South (in Dumfries) have followed and they face a battle to stay in the division.
I suppose the real question I'm asking myself is, can I back Falkirk at 4/7 best price with Coral? I'm not sure I can at that price. Peter Houston's side have won five of their last 11 matches but have dropped points against Dumbarton and Raith Rovers and were slammed 3-0 by Hearts on Saturday.
Will that defeat have a negative effect on them? Remember Cowdenbeath are fighting for their lives as well and I'm not keen on backing sides away from home at 4/7.
The sides met here earlier in the season and drew 2-2. I'll back the Blue Brazil +1 at 6/4 with Coral.
Raith Rovers v Queen Of The South | Tuesday 19:45
It's a tougher match for Queen Of The South as they bid to strengthen their hold on fourth spot on Tuesday. Their matches against Raith this season have been entertaining affairs with 12 goals scored in the three games.
The Doonhamers have won all three of them but it hasn't been straight-forward. A 90th minute winner from Iain Russell secured all three points in their only other match at Stark's Park this season, a 4-3 win back in October.
Raith were on a great run of form in the post-Christmas period. Grant Murray's side knocked Rangers out of the Scottish Cup, beat Falkirk and drew with in-form Hibs. It's turned a bit sour since then with three defeats in their last four league matches but that was against three of the top four in the division.
For Queen Of The South, it's probably been their best league season for half a century and if they reach the play-offs it will be an enormous achievement for the provincial club.
Their away form has been their Achilles Heel this season though as three wins from their 13 league games testify. It's just one league win in eight on the road and that's not enticing when you're asked to play at odds on.
The bottom four in the division, Livingston, Cowdenbeath, Dumbarton and Alloa have all thwarted James Fowler's side away from home this season and Rovers should provide them with an even harder assignment on Tuesday. I'll back the draw here at 11/4 with William Hill.
Best Bets
Cowdenbeath v Falkirk – Cowdenbeath +1 (6/4 Coral)
Raith v Queen Of The South – Draw (11/4 William Hill)
0-0 Draw Insurance
Place a Correct Score or Double Result bet on any of these games with William Hill and if it finishes 0-0 William Hill will refund you.
