SCOTTISH football aficionado Gerry Taylor (@thefurlongpole) takes a look at the opening weekend of action north of the border, highlighting his best bets from the televised tussles.
Rangers vs Livingston | Saturday 31st July 2021, 13:30 | Sky Sports
The champions, with 23,000 fans back in Ibrox, will no doubt be looking to get off to a flier on Saturday lunchtime.
Livingston had a very good season last time out, with a top-six finish but the Lions may have their work cut out to replicate last term's achievements. The squad doesn't look as strong, and it could be they are going to Ibrox at the wrong time.
The Gers are coming off a 2-1 friendly win against Real Madrid, and will be flying out the traps.
Considering Livi haven't scored in their last six league matches against the Teddy Bears, the 8/11 with Bet365 for Steven Gerrard's charges to Rangers to win and Both Teams To Score ‘No’ looks a nice wager to kick off the 2021/22 season – especially as Rangers were successful with this wager in 15/19 as hosts last time out.
Hearts vs Celtic | Saturday 31st July 2021, 20:00 | Sky Sports
Given the disappointing exit from the Champions League in midweek, and the personnel issues hanging over Celtic at the moment, Hearts could be playing the Hoops at the perfect time.
With around 4,000 home supporters allowed into this one, Robbie Neilson's charges must be fancying their chances of a result on Saturday evening. If the Jam Tarts can get the fans onside early doors at Tynecastle, it could be a difficult night in Gorgie for Ange Postecoglu's visitors.
The hosts Double Chance price at 6/5 with SkyBet maybe worth an interest.
Motherwell vs Hibs | Sunday 1st August 2021, 16:30 | Sky Sports
This will be a tough initial test for Motherwell. Unconvincing in their League Cup group against lower league opposition, the ‘Well will need to raise their game against Hibs, a side that were crowned the ‘best of the rest' last season.
The Hibees are already up and running with an impressive and professional 5-1 aggregate romp against Andorran outfit Santa Coloma in Europa Conference League.
The 6/5 with William Hill, on Jack Ross's visitors looks quite enticing, especially given the Leith outfit did most of their best work on the road last term.
Kilmarnock vs Ayr | Monday 2nd August 2021, 19:45 | BBC Scotland
Kilmarnock seem to be overrated in all the ante-post markets, given the rebuild that Tommy Wright has on his hands. It may take a bit of time to get a settled first-choice line-up to warrant the skimpy odds-on quotes.
Ayr under David Hopkin brings the Honest Men to Rugby Park for this mouth-watering Ayrshire derby. ‘Hoppy' has signed both centre-backs from his former club Morton – Sean McGinty and Marcus Fjortoft. Interestingly, Morton and Ayr have had both a similar profile of late, for keeping things tight, and aren't usually awash with goals at the other end of the pitch.
So given it is a local derby, and Ayr saw nine of 14 league outings go Under 2.5 Goals most recently, a repeat of Under 2.5 at 1/1 with Bet365 could be the way to go.
The hosts haven't blown away any of their mainly, lower league rivals in the League Cup in the last month, so in a typically hard-fought battle, I don't expect a goalfest here either.
Best Bets
Rangers vs Livingston – Rangers to win and Both Teams To Score ‘No’ (8/11 Bet365)
Hearts vs Celtic – Hearts Double Chance (6/5 SkyBet)
Motherwell vs Hibs – Hibs to win (6/5 William Hill)
Kilmarnock vs Ayr – Under 2.5 Goals (1/1 Bet365)
