Scottish Football / John Girvan / 10 April 2009 / Leave a comment

Celtic's recent record is nothing to write home about whilst Rangers' troubles courtesy of a growing injury list and internal suspensions means they have plenty of problems of their own, says John Girvan. Best bet: Lay Celtic against Hearts @ [1.78]

With just seven games remaining the SPL title race is reaching boiling point. The kettle isn't quite whistling just yet but with Celtic travelling to Tynecastle on Saturday it could be a significant weekend in the championship.

Hearts should prove a tough obstacle for the champions and Setanta Sports could have a cracker on their hands. The Jam tarts are seven points clear in third spot and are on a run of four wins and two draws from their last seven. Anyone who suspects they may be low on motivation however only needs to recall the second half performance at Ibrox three weeks ago.

Here Csaba Laszlo's men went into the match with a five point cushion over their closest challengers. They were 2-0 down after a first half in which they offered very little and looked dead and buried before a stunning comeback was rewarded with a point. Having already beaten Rangers at home this season they will fancy their chances of another Old Firm scalp and at [5.0] in the Match Odds it's certainly not the worst bet this weekend.

Celtic are [1.78] in the same market but there simply isn't any value in this. The visitors have won four and drawn two of their last six but they have faced four of the bottom five in this period and haven't won three games on the bounce since November. This was when Gordon Strachan's men were on a 12 game SPL hot-streak but since then they have played 23 games in all competitions and the win ratio is just 48%.

Backing Celtic might prove wise on the day but both the short and medium term form tells you that at [1.78] they should be opposed.

Like their rivals, Rangers have won their last two league ties and although it wasn't pretty, they ground out six points from tricky encounters at both Falkirk and St Mirren. This contributes to a run of four wins and a draw from the last six and Walter Smith's men will be looking for a first home league win in three. It could also be the first trio of consecutive victories since January but they will have to do it with a weakened squad.

Sasa Papac and DaMarcus Beasley are set to miss out after both players sustained knocks in the 2-1 win over St Mirren on Wednesday night. Papac needed stitches in an ankle wound whilst Beasley was sent to hospital as a precaution over a rib injury and the pair were added to an absentee list that includes Kyle Lafferty and Kenny Miller. With Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor serving club bans also it's far from a full strength Rangers.

Motherwell need the points also. They are neck and neck with Hibs for the last remaining place in the top six and with just one more fixture before the split it's crunch time for The Steelmen. Their form is indifferent at the moment with two wins, three draws and a defeat at Hearts from the last six and with Rangers also needing points desperately, it doesn't really bode well for an attractive game of football.

Rangers should grind out another win but at just [1.38] in the Match Odds there surely won't be any serious money on this given the substantial list of absentees. The Gers have conceded five goals in there last six and on this basis over 2.5 goals appeals at [1.8].

Setanta Sports are covering another important SPL clash on Monday night when Hibernian travel to New St Mirren Park. Just three points from the last six has dropped Gus MacPherson's men back into the relegation mix and the Edinburgh side are looking to pip Motherwell for a top six slot. Hibs are on a five game unbeaten streak and should have been out of sight at Tannadice last week before throwing away a two goal lead.

Saints put in a great second half performance against Rangers on Wednesday night and will certainly be looking to build on this in a bid to retain their SPL status. They will take the game to their visitors and with Hibs having the ability to hurt teams on the break I envisage a few goals. Over 2.5 goals is the pick here at [2.5].