SCOTTISH football aficionado Gerry Taylor (@thefurlongpole) continues his new column, sharing his NAP, next best and long shot ahead of the weekend action.
NAP – Queen of the South to win and Both Teams To Score (3/1 Bet365)
The turnaround in the Doonhamers fortunes has been nothing short of sensational. At Christmas they looked arguably the worst team in the league, since then they have gone W7-D2-L1.
Striker Connor Shields (6 goals) and surprise package Ayo Obileye (8), have been the main men for the goals, but in truth there are also other players contributing to the tally.
Here are some stats to highlight the chances of my best bet:
- Queens are averaging 2 goals per game post-Christmas.
- In their decent, recent run Allan Johnston's charges however, have only kept 2/10 clean sheets.
- Alloa have been superb of late for both teams to score backers – 12/12 in recent league games.
- The Wasps last five matches on the road, have saw them lose and the btts combo land in 4/5.
- The visitors striker Innes Cameron is 3 goals in his last three starts.
It's hard to oppose the hosts here at around even-money, they are in flying form, fresh from bagging 4 goals on the road at another in-form team Arbroath.
Whilst Peter Grant's visitors Alloa will undoubtedly put up a fight, I expect the Doonhamers to outscore them in a match that could have a few goals.
Next best – Ayr +1.5 Asian Handicap (17/20 Bet365)
Ayr have made a good appointment with David Hopkin as manager. He previously did well with Livingston getting them promoted to the Premiership. The players to be fair have shown a bit of improvement in the last week – with a win and a draw on the road.
Whilst everyone knows Hearts are cruising to the league title, but some of their recent performances have looked as if their players know the Premiership beckons. The proposed Next Best wager would've landed in Hearts last six matches, as they've been conceding, whilst drawing or winning by a single goal.
Ayr have given a decent account of themselves in their two previous matches against the Jambos. Losing narrowly to a soft penalty at Somerset Park, and they were leading 2-1 after an hour at Tynecastle, before running out losers by 5-3.
David Hopkin will be keen to get a strong performance from the Honest Men, and if it goes like recent Jam Tarts performances, then the suggested bet could be a runner.
Long shot – Jason Cummings to score 2+ goals (15/2 Bet365)
I make no apology for repeating last week's long shot. T
he Dark Blues striker did get on the scoresheet at Tynecastle, but unfortunately could't get his second as Hearts held on to win 2-1.
Dick Campbell's Red Lichties, uncharacteristically shipped four goals at Gayfield last weekend to the on fire Queen of the South. Those defensive frailties will encourage the ‘Dee who whilst not being exactly watertight in defence themselves, are always good for a goal or two.
With midfield maestro Charlie Adam due to return, hopefully this doesn't harm the chances of Jason Cummings increasing his current tally of four goals in his four Dundee starts.
Best Bets
Queen of the South vs Alloa – Queen of the South to win and Both Teams To Score (3/1 SkyBet)
Hearts vs Ayr – Ayr +1.5 Asian Handicap (17/20 Bet365)
Dundee vs Arbroath – Jason Cummings to score 2+ goals (15/2 Bet365)
