SCOTTISH football aficionado Gerry Taylor (@thefurlongpole) takes a look at Saturday's action north of the border, highlighting his best bets.
Alloa vs Queen’s Park | Saturday 21st August 2021, 15:00
It’s fair to say, I was quite impressed Queen’s Park in their 3-0 despatching of Dumbarton last week at Firhill. New gaffer Laurie Ellis has a good mix of of youngsters, and a few savvy, streetwise operators.
Simon Murray and Louis Longridge gave the Sons’ defence a torrid time, and if truth be told, could have both scored more than their single goal apiece. The youngsters didn’t perform too bad either, with new recruits Jack Thomson, Charlie King and Liam Brown catching the eye.
New Alloa manager Barry Ferguson, will be frustrated by his charges inconsistent start to the campaign. Their latest defeat at Clyde doesn’t look good – being undone with two terrific David Goodwillie finishes. The fact that the Bully Wee only had three shots on-target in the match made the defeat even more galling.
Veteran 37-year-old centre back Andy Graham and Mark Durnan will do well to keep Murray and co quiet, so with that in mind I’m happy to take The Spiders to at least bag two goals at a nice looking 6/5 with Bet365.
Dumbarton vs Cove Rangers | Saturday 21st August 2021, 15:00
Cove, after two difficult opening fixtures, finally got up and running with a 5-2 mauling of East Fife at the Balmoral Stadium last time out. Mitch Megginson was the tormentor in chief with a hat-trick.
If Cove are to be contenders to win League One, trips to Dumbarton are ones that they most certainly need to be targeting for the three points.
Stevie Farrell’s Sons, were not great last week on the road to Queens Park, having almost no threat in the final third.
Ultimately with guys like Iain Vigurs, Shay Logan and the goal threat of Megginson and Rory McAllister, Paul Hartley’s men should be too strong for the hosts.
The opening bookies salvo for Cove was 5/4, but I’m still happy to recommend a wager on the Wee Rangers at 1/1 with Bet365.
Falkirk vs Clyde | Saturday 21st August 2021, 15:00
Paul Sheerin has made a good start to the league campaign with Falkirk; an opening draw at Cove, followed by two 2-1 victories against Peterhead and Airdrie. The new boss has the Bairns playing some nice stuff – Aidan Keena, Callum Morrison, ably supported by Craig Mcguffie and Aidan Nesbitt are the main reasons for the good form.
The Bully Wee haven’t been great so far this season but did gain a 2-1 win last week against Alloa. To be honest, it was a smash-and-grab victory thanks to two great finishes from David Goodwillie. That apart, Clyde didn’t really create anything else in the match.
The Bairns front men should be able to have a good afternoon, against what has been a quite pedestrian Clyde defence, whilst keeping Goodwillie quiet should ensure the home win.
For the hosts to score at least two on their way to victory, seems a nice way in to get Falkirk at a backable 5/6 with bet 365
Kelty Hearts vs Edinburgh City | Saturday 21st August 2021, 15:00
With 23 shots on-target in their three league matches to date, Kevin Thomson’s hosts still look the best equipped to win League Two. Kelty Hearts’ star striker Nathan ‘Fash’ Austin only made his first League Two appearance last week, coming on as an early substitute then scoring a brace in the 2-2 draw away at Forfar.
With the striker now back in situ, it’s possible that the hosts could be about to add to their seven-goal league haul, and give a team a real doing.
Edinburgh City are the visitors to New Central Park. Gary Naismith’s charges haven’t started the season great (nine shots on-target and just one goal), with a midweek defeat to a Hearts ‘B’ side in the Challenge Cup adding to their woes.
There is definitely plenty of goals in the Maroon Machine, and if they can keep the goal shy Ainslie Park men quiet at the other end, then Over 1 Kelty Hearts Goals and Under 2 Edinburgh City Goals, looks a nice angle in at 20/23 with Bet365.
Best Bets
Alloa vs Queen’s Park – Over 1.5 Queen’s Park Goals (6/5 Bet365)
Dumbarton vs Cove Rangers – Cove Rangers to win (1/1 Bet365)
Falkirk vs Clyde – Falkirk to win and Over 1 Falkirk Goal (5/6 Bet365)
Kelty Hearts vs Edinburgh City – Over 1 Kelty Hearts Goals and Under 2 Edinburgh City Goals (20/23 Bet365)
1 Comment
really great tips. thank you