SCOTTISH football aficionado Gerry Taylor (@thefurlongpole) continues a brand new column, sharing his NAP, next best and long shot ahead of the weekend's action.
NAP – Aberdeen to win (29/20 SkyBet)
Kilmarnock have not beaten Aberdeen at Rugby Park since December 2011. In that time the Dons have played there 17 times and are W11-D4-L0 in the Premiership. In the two cup ties in this period in Ayrshire – the Dandies have prevailed once in extra-time and won the other one on penalty kicks. It’s a record that makes quite depressing reading for Killie fans.
Alex Dyer has now been in charge for a year. His league win % in that time is a paltry 27.58%. Recent form hasn't been great either – Killie have failed to score in 6/8 of recent games.
Derek McInnes’s side are battling away at the top end of the table, and have only lost to Rangers and Motherwell in the league this season. Away from home they have a very good recent league record – only having lost on the road in the last calendar year to Celtic and Rangers.
This makes the Granite city men a strong selection given their outstanding record at Rugby Park and the current doubts regarding the host’s form.
Next best – Queen’s Park to score Over 2.5 Goals (5/2 Vet365)
I make no apologies for getting involved with the strong favourites in League Two once again. They came slightly unstuck last week as Edinburgh City rose to the occasion, putting up an excellent performance at Hampden drawing 3-3.
The Spiders goals scored in their last four matches now reads: 3-3-3-3. Their opponents Annan are not renowned for clean sheets either only 1/20 shut outs achieved in 2020 thus far. Add to that – in their last two home matches they have conceded 3 goals to Albion Rovers and 4 goals to Edinburgh City.
The hosts match last weekend was postponed up at Brechin, due to a waterlogged pitch, so it's possible they could tire late on in the match, due to a few weeks inactivity.
So I'm expecting Ray McKinnon's attackers ultimately to have too much firepower for Peter Murphy's hosts, and Queens Park to reach 3 goals, at a nice price of 5/2 is more than achievable once again.
Long shot – No Goalscorer (6/1 Bet365)
This fixture in March finished 0-0, there was also a goalless draw between the two in Perth last term.
It's fair to say St Mirren at home aren't usually a goal-laden outfit. The Buddies in 2020 have only scored in 6/13 matches in Paisley in the league. St Johnstone have scored in 7/12 aways on the road in the same period. Indeed the last 15 match-ups have produced a measly 11 goals.
So a goal-fest most certainly doesn't look on the cards. For my longshot this week I'll take a punt on No Goalscorer at 6/1. With the history of 0-0's over the years when these two get together, it's not too fanciful that another could be incoming.
Best Bets
Kilmarnock vs Aberdeen – Aberdeen to win (29/20 SkyBet)
Annan vs Queen’s Park – Queen’s Park to score Over 2.5 Goals (5/2 Vet365)
St Mirren vs St Johnstone – No Goalscorer (6/1 Bet365)
