WITH Scotland taking on Gibraltar on Sunday in Euro 2016 qualifying, Chris Graham (@chrisgraham79) takes a look at two matches from the Scottish Championship.
Dumbarton v Falkirk | Saturday 15:00
I took Falkirk on on Tuesday night against Cowdenbeath and wasn't rewarded for my bravery as they escaped from Central Park with a 1-0 win. They've got another tough game against Dumbarton this Saturday and bookmakers have once again chalked them up at odds on.
17/20 with Skybet is the best price you'll get on the Bairns as they tussle with Queen Of The South for a play-off place and with Dumbarton marooned in the safety of seventh place, it's certainly Peter Houston's side that need the points more.
Having said that, the Sons have been improving in recent weeks and have lost just one of their last four matches. That came against the champions Hearts two weeks ago, but credit where it's due, Ian Murray's men have beaten Alloa and Livingston and drew with Queen Of The South in the last month.
My angle in this game is for Dumbarton to score. Both Teams To Score at 3/4 with Ladbrokes is were I'm looking. Ian Murray's side have scored in 13 of their last 17 games and in 2015 have notched against Hearts and Rangers. Their previous meeting with Falkirk ended 3-3.
Falkirk are susceptible at the back. This calendar year they've leaked against League One Brechin, Alloa, Raith and indeed Dumbarton. It's BTTS for me in this game.
Raith Rovers v Hibernian | Saturday 15:00
Can't work the odds out here at all. Do you want to back Hibs at 8/15 at Stark's Park on Saturday? I don't.
The Edinburgh side have had a tremendous season with 12 wins in their last 16 matches. That run has put them in pole position to take second place at the end of the season and have the easier play-off route. But crucially they suffered a bad defeat on Sunday against Rangers.
That loss at Easter Road was their first there since August and first overall since December. How will they come out of that? Will it have an effect? Rangers are on their tail again, will the pressure show here?
Hibs are definitely a better side than Raith, but Rovers look underestimated here at 21/4 with 888 Sport. So far this year they've knocked Rangers out of the Scottish Cup, went on a seven match unbeaten run and crushed play-off contenders Queen Of The South 3-0 on Tuesday night on home turf.
It's also worth pointing out that Hibs have struggled against Grant Murray's men this season with two draws in their three league encounters. I'll take a chance and back them +0.75 on the Asian Handicap at odds of 13/10 with Bet365. This means that even if they lose by one goal I'll get some of my stake back.
Best Bets
Dumbarton v Falkirk – Both Teams To Score (3/4 Ladbrokes)
Raith Rovers v Hibs – Raith +0.75 Asian Handicap (13/10 Bet365)
Your View?
Are you placing any Scottish bets this weekend? What's your top selection? Let us know in the comments box below.
2 Comments
IRISH LEAGUE {Sat}
Coleraine v Crusaders..Away win @ 8/11 {League leaders Crusaders won 11/12 lg games,and won last 2 meetings 3-0 and 6-2}
Glenavon v Linfield..BTTS @ 1/2 { BTTS has come in 22/23 Glenavon lg games and 5/6 between 2 clubs}
Take a double on above pays over £25 for a £10 stake.
Last weeks Irish lg’s 2 picks produced just the one winner @ 13/5 { disapointed expected both} but still produced a profit.
Thanks a lot for these Sean. Looking forward to seeing how they get on.