SCOTTISH football aficionado Gerry Taylor (@thefurlongpole) shares his verdict on Sunday's best bets from the Premiership schedule.
Aberdeen vs Celtic | Sunday 25th October 2020, 12:00 | Sky Sports
It's fair to say that Celtic boss Neil Lennon boss is coming under a bit of pressure right now, especially after the manner of the defeats to Rangers and Milan.
The 3-5-2 formation got ditched at half-time on Thursday evening in favour of a 4-3-3, and Hoops improved slightly. Fans have been questioning Shane Duffy and goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas. The big Greek has not really been producing any saves of note in games when he's been called upon.
Aberdeen look to have a strong squad at the moment, with most players now available. After flying out the traps and racing into a 4-0 lead against Hamilton in midweek, Derek McInnes applied the handbrake to the attack in the second half as the Accies battled back to 4-2. This ensured the Reds took third spot in the league from Hibs.
Lewis Ferguson also grabbed his seven goal in 13 matches for Granite City men in midweek.
Either one of two things will happen at Pittodrie on Sunday lunchtime – Celtic will come out like a wounded animal, and as they've done many times before, put the Dons in their place. Or McInnes will sense this is a perfect time to be playing an out of form ‘Tic and feel there is a chance for his team to go right on the front-foot, to prove they're genuine contenders to split the two Glasgow giants.
With some generous prices around I will speculate on the later scenario, as that is where there is perhaps some value to be had. Aberdeen to score Over 1.5 Goals (7/2 Bet365), Lewis Ferguson to score anytime (8/1 Paddy Power) and Lewis Ferguson to score 2+ goals (125/1 Paddy Power) are my angles in.
Rangers vs Livingston | Sunday 25th October 2020, 15:00
The hosts will be as high as a kite going into this one. After cruising to a 2-0 win at Celtic Park last weekend, the Gers repeated the same scoreline in the Europa League tie away to Standard Liege.
The sensational from-his-own-half strike, late on from Kemar Roofe, was labelled by Steven Gerrard as the best goal he'd ever seen. As a result of this the Teddy Bears boss maybe tempted to rest Alfredo Morelos and give Roofe a start.
If the ex-Anderlecht striker starts, a speculative 18/1 poke on him to score a hat-trick, is maybe worth a go.
Nick Walsh has the whistle for this one, and has awarded a few penalties this term. So while we're there looking at the hat-trick market – prolific penalty-taker James Tavernier is no stranger to scoring a brace for the Gers, so the 100/1 on him to net three might not be too far-fetched, based on the frequency of the captain's scoring both home and abroad lately.
The Ibrox men have dispatched all league opposition so far in Govan this season, with the minimum of fuss, not conceding a goal in the process. 2-0, 3-0 or 4-0 victories have been the common-place.
Livingston are very poor on their travels, winning only 3/48, and to my eye, understandably are not the same force without Lyndon Dykes. Gary Holt's side could be another sitting duck in the way for Rangers. Hence, I recommend a play on 3-0 and 4-0 scorelines – 3-0 is 11/2 with Skybet, 4-0 is 10/1 with Betfair.
Best Bets
Aberdeen vs Celtic – Aberdeen to score Over 1.5 Goals (7/2 Bet365)
Aberdeen vs Celtic – Lewis Ferguson to score anytime (8/1 Paddy Power)
Aberdeen vs Celtic – Lewis Ferguson to score 2+ goals (125/1 Paddy Power)
Rangers vs Livingston – Rangers to win 3-0 (11/2 SkyBet)
Rangers vs Livingston – Rangers to win 4-0 (10/1 Betfair)
Rangers vs Livingston – Kemar Roofe to score a hat-trick (18/1 William Hill)
Rangers vs Livingston – James Tavernier to score a hat-trick (100/1 William Hill)
