SCOTTISH football aficionado Gerry Taylor (@thefurlongpole) shares his verdict on Saturday afternoon's best bet from the full Premiership schedule.
Scottish Premiership Preview | Saturday 12th September 2020 | 15:00
It's a real rarity in the Scottish Premiership this weekend – all games are taking place at 3pm on Saturday. There is also a trial taking place, with 300 home fans able to attend the matches in Aberdeen and at Ross County.
Here are my best bets:
Livingston vs Hamilton | Saturday 12th September 2020, 15:00
Sometimes a price jumps off the page as being too big – 9/2 Hamilton to win at The Tony Macaroni Stadium is possibly an example of that. Out with games involving the Old Firm, in a tightly-matched league below the two Glasgow giants, no team should, in my opinion, be as big a price as that, especially so when there is no home fan advantage.
The foundation for the bet is Hamilton should be able to score. They have done so in 8/10 of their most recent away matches – three of those eight strikes on the road were against Celtic and Rangers. Brian Rice's young side last time out away had an excellent result, beating last term’s third-placed side Motherwell in the Lanarkshire derby.
With Livingston having recently lost their talisman striker Lyndon Dykes to QPR, Gary Holt will still be trying to find a new attacking formula that works for the West Lothian side. In a match that could really go either way, the Accies at 9/2 with Betfred has to be the value call.
Ross County vs Celtic | Saturday 12th September 2020, 15:00
Ross County should be able to give Celtic a competitive match up in Dingwall. Stuart Kettlewell's men have had a reasonable start to the campaign – in their first six games they have W2-D2-L2 and I think it's fair to say the Staggies look an improved team, albeit with a small sample of results to work off.
County usually have a goal in them with Ross Stewart and Billy McKay. Only once in their six games to date, have the hosts failed to score.
Celtic, in their two away games thus far, have been held to a 1-1 draw at Rugby Park and needed a very late winner to beat newly-promoted Dundee United 1-0 on Tayside.
County are priced as big as 19/1 for the outright win. However, the angle I like for this match is the handicap market. Only a Celtic win by a three-goal margin or more, would scupper a profit covering the two selections below when dutched:
Looking at the bet from the Old Firm ‘away from home’ perspective – you would have shown profit from Rangers last eight aways. Also, Celtics past four would have also proved profitable.
Chasing 10 in a row this season, the Hoops will just be glad to gain three points on the road this season and narrow one-goal wins could be common-place. Add in, this one sees Celtic players returning from all over Europe off the International break, whereas the Staggies don't have this hindrance to their preparation.
Celtic are undoubtedly deserving of odds-on favouritism but the 1/7 bookmaker quotes are ridiculously short, given the early evidence and with no huge away supports for both Old Firm outfits. This does not seem to be factored into the prices.
Rangers vs Dundee United | Saturday 12th September 2020, 15:00
Rangers to win and Both Teams To Score ‘No’ is priced at a decent 4/5 with Bet365. Steven Gerrard's team are going for seven shutouts in a row (not conceded a league goal since 4th March).
In Dundee United’s last match Micky Mellon's team were beaten 4-0 at Kilmarnock. The result flattered Killie a bit, though the Tangerines look to have issues in attack in the absence of their main man Lawrence Shankland. Even if he does return, the win ‘to nil’ angle for the Gers looks the way to go.
St Mirren vs Hibernian | Saturday 12th September 2020, 15:00
Whilst a few miles away over in Paisley, Under 2.5 Goals (3/4 Unibet) is becoming something of a staple for St Mirren at home. Indeed, in the Buddies last eight here have seen this bet has land.
Hibs under Jack Ross aren't featuring in as many goal-laden games either these days. Under 1.5 has actually copped in the visitors past four (only three goals scored in total in these matches).
If your loathe to backing odds-on shots, you could try the double at a smidgen over 21/10 (Bet365).
Best Bets
Livingston vs Hamilton – Hamilton to win (9/2 Betfred)
Ross County vs Celtic – Ross County +2 handicap (13/8 Betway)
Ross County vs Celtic – Ross County +2 handicap draw (3/1 Bet365)
Rangers vs Dundee United – Rangers to win and Both Teams To Score ‘No’ 4/5 Bet365)
St Mirren vs Hibernian – Under 2.5 Goals (3/4 Unibet)
