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Scottish Football

Rangers may struggle after Champions League exertions

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Border Reiver talks us through the best bets available from north of the border

Our search for a new manager ended with the appointment of Michael Renwick from Cowdenbeath. This will be his first managerial position but he does have a wealth of experience as a player and a coach. Having spent 8 years at Hibernian under Alex McCleish and Alex Miller, he did the rounds of the lower leagues before ending up as a coach at Cowdenbeath.

Although this looks like a gamble, I think it's one worth taking. We have nothing to lose and funds have been put in place for the acquisition of 2 or 3 players in the January transfer window.
On Saturday we travel to Airdrie. Our only league win this season came at home to Airdrie. We were under the cosh for 90% of the game and pinched 2 goals on the break. I can't see us winning on Saturday but if we can steady the defence then we might come away with a draw.

Dundee United v Rangers

On Sunday Dundee Utd play Rangers at Tannadice. Rangers will be buoyant after last week's win over arch rivals Celtic and the mid-week draw at home to Barcelona, but I'm expecting them to slip up at Tannadice. United are playing as well as they have done for years. They continue to pull victories out of the bag and have yet to concede a goal at home. In fact they have only dropped home points to Hibs and that was on the opening day of the season. The players will relish this game especially because it's live on television. The United players have had a full weeks' rest as well. I think the post- Champions League factor will hinder Rangers and Craig Levein's side can take full advantage. I shall be laying Rangers around 1.65.

Ayr United v Brechin City

Ayr United go into this game with a new manager. Having gotten off to a reasonable start they decided to replace Neil Watt with Brian Reid. Hopefully they will start keeping the ball on the ground instead of playing it long. They have the players to make this work and should be able to beat Brechin at Somerset Park. In Ryan Stevenson they have one of the divisions' best players and if he gives his best on Saturday then they should prevail. Brechin really should be higher up the table. They have some good players but they aren't gelling yet. I fully expect Ayr to win and shall be backing them around 2.1.

Arbroath v Elgin City

There are no 3rd division fixtures this week because it's the 2nd round of the Scottish Cup. Strangely, two 3rd division sides have been drawn together for this match at Gayfield. The sides have already met this season and Arbroath ran out comfortable 4-0 winners. Elgin have improved dramatically and are unbeaten in the 6 games since then. Arbroath were held at home last week by Stenhousemuir and I am expecting Elgin to hold them again this week. I will be laying Arbroath around 1.8.
This week's bets are: Lay Arbroath around 1.8, Back Ayr around 2.1 and lay Rangers around 1.65.

Good Luck

Border Reiver

Border Reiver supports Berwick Rangers:

http://www.berwickrangers.net/