IN search of another winning Scottish NAP, Willie Duncan (@Willie_Duncan) has found a Saturday bet that appeals.
Aberdeen v St Johnstone | Saturday 15:00
Those of you who back my Scottish NAP every week will be lucky if you have any fingernails left. If you like a last minute winner, you'll have loved the last few weeks, but I'm hopeful that this week's selection will land long before the final whistle.
Aberdeen don't always get it – especially from me – but I'm willing to offer Derek McInnes' side a bit of credit this week.
The Dons' confidence must have been dented by the 3-0 thrashing that they got from Celtic in the League Cup final and last Saturday's showdown at Ibrox wouldn't have done much for them either, as Aberdeen were beaten 2-1 by Rangers.
There was, however, an impressive response from the Dons – a 5-1 demolition of Kilmarnock at Pittodrie on Tuesday night – while it is worth noting that those defeats against Celtic and Rangers were preceded by impressive away-day wins against Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Partick Thistle respectively.
On Saturday afternoon, St Johnstone are the visitors to Pittodrie and Tommy Wright's outfit are a side that I've been happy to lavish praise on this season although, I'm sorry to say, that my faith in the Saints hasn't really been rewarded.
They have had some ropey results so far this season and I am adamant that they are a better team than some of those results suggest, but there is a way to include the men from McDiarmid Park in my NAP this weekend that we can all get behind with confidence – a goals-based bet.
Saints have scored in each of their last six matches, sticking three past Kilmarnock last weekend, while five of their last six fixtures have featured at least three goals; each of Aberdeen's last five games has seen at least three goals scored, with the Dons failing to find the net in just one of those ties.
The previous two meetings between these two teams – a turgid 0-0 draw at McDiarmid Park on the opening weekend of the season and a narrow 1-0 win for the Dons in the League Cup at Pittodrie – are not likely to fill punters with confidence ahead of this renewal.
That could, though, explain why the odds compilers are being quite so generous ahead of kick-off at Pittodrie, with William Hill offering a tasty 10/11 for at least three goals to be scored when these two teams lock horns.
There has been no fewer than 19 goals scored in Aberdeen's last five fixtures and 13 strikes in the last three tussles involving Tommy Wright's side; surely, then, it makes sense to back goals galore ahead of this game.
More than two goals to be scored when Aberdeen host St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership is my best bet from Scotland this weekend.
Best Bets
Aberdeen v St Johnstone – Over 2.5 Goals (10/11 William Hill)
