SCOTTISH football aficionado Gerry Taylor (@thefurlongpole) continues his new column, sharing his NAP, next best and long shot ahead of the weekend action.
NAP – Under 4 Goals and Both Teams To Score ‘No' (20/23 Bet365)
Aberdeen are on their worst run for many a year, whilst Kilmarnock are very much in the same boat. Here are the horrible stats (fans of both clubs avert your attention now), it makes grim reading:
- The Dons have played out six 0-0's in their last 21 games.
- The Hosts have failed to score in 6 consecutive matches now.
- 13/16 league games have saw under 2.5 goals land recently for Derek McInnes’s side.
- The Ayrshire visitors are on a horrendous run of W2 D1 L12.
- Tommy Wright has recently inherited a side who have now scored in only 1/7 of recent matches.
A nervy, tight low scoring match looks the call here, especially with lots of fan pressure on Derek McInnes and with the new Killie boss needing points on the board very quickly, this head-to-head doesn't shape up like a classic.
So Bet 365’s Bet Builder of Under 4 Goals and Both Teams To Score ‘No' (20/23 Bet365) at 20/23 is this weekend's NAP.
Next best – Over 3.5 Goals (7/4 Paddy Power)
Dundee could be excused from being a bit rusty going into this one having last played a match three weeks ago. The eye-catching thing in James McPake’s charges' games, are goals.
Both Teams To Score has copped in 8/8 of their recent matches. Over 3.5 has banked in 7/8 in the league over the last few months. They have since added Jason Cummings and Paul McMullan to the attacking options, but as I've alluded to, clean sheets are very much a rarity for the ‘Dee.
The Doonhamers are on a superb run. Since being rock bottom, they have iW5 D2 L1 in their last 8 games. As a result, and deservedly so, Allan Johnston has just picked up a Manager of the Month gong in the Championship.
The Queens have scored in 8/8 games recently, scoring 15 times in the process. In midweek they were also able to welcome back Stephen Dobbie for the first time in a couple of months, gaining a fine win in the Highlands against Inverness.
So I'd expect this to be a lively encounter with both teams contributing, for that reason Paddy Power's 7/4 for Over 3.5 Goals, makes some appeal.
Long shot – Jack Hamilton first goalscorer (13/2 Bet365)
Jack Hamilton has scored a total of 13 goals this season, in around 17 matches – yet Bet365 are still offering a generous 13/2 for him to net first when Arbroath and Raith collide.
Whether it's been on-loan with East Fife, or with his parent club Livingston, Jack has been consistently banging them in. Arbroath have been on a nice little run, that has coincided with the loan deal of the aforementioned.
It's always a tight game when the Red Lichties host at a blustery Gayfield, but you could do well do get the Livi loanee on your side, a few followers backed him last weekend, let's hope it's a case of deja vu.
Best Bets
Aberdeen vs Kilmarnock – Under 4 Goals and Both Teams To Score ‘No' (20/23 Bet365)
Dundee vs Queen of the South – Over 3.5 Goals (7/4 Paddy Power)
Arbraoth vs Raith – Jack Hamilton first goalscorer (13/2 Bet365)
