Scottish Football Betting: Aberdeen can turn Rangers over

Scottish Football / John Girvan / 27 November 2009 / Leave a Comment

David Weir will be doing his best to improve on Rangers' dismal recent record at Aberdeen.

"To put it simply, The Gers’ recent record in the Granite City is woeful. They have just one win and three draws from their last eight visits where for a number of reasons they face a side who are highly motivated to beat Rangers."

John Girvan had a super week last time out on the betting front and is hoping for more of the same with an upset on the cards as Rangers travel to Aberdeen.

Last week was one of those rare occasions where you don't put a foot wrong. Rangers delivered on -1.5 goals with ease and St Johnstone did more than merely hold Hearts at Tynecastle. Dundee United didn't play all that well in their home tie with Celtic last Sunday but as suggested, they finally got a reward for their recent performances in this fixture.

Profit/Loss: +4.89pts

Domestically Rangers will have gotten a big lift from last week's result at Tannadice. It puts them one point clear with a game in hand but this Saturday's live clash at Pitoddrie, as always, is a serious test for Walter Smith's side.

Since a 0-0 draw at Ibrox in September Aberdeen have achieved just one victory and three draws from six SPL ties. The Govan stalemate was their fifth consecutive clean sheet at the time but the back four have opened up recently, shipping eight goals in those six league ties that followed.

To put it simply, The Gers' recent record in the Granite City is woeful. They have just one win and three draws from their last eight visits where for a number of reasons they face a side who are highly motivated to beat Rangers. It is widely regarded there is little between the Old Firm these days so it's hard to explain why Celtic can go there and rack up six wins and a draw in their last eight visits yet their city rivals can't.

Rangers, [1.85] in the Match Odds, have knocked on the door recently when at Aberdeen ([4.9]) and earned two draws last season. It's about time they started winning up there but there is too much baggage to this one and the fall-out following Tuesday's Champions League defeat is also a factor.

With Rangers yet to lose a league game, some will argue it's about time this happened also. The best bet where this is concerned is backing Aberdeen in the DRAW NO BET Market at [3.3]. Looking at other markets, this fixture has finished 'Unders' on each of the last five occasions so perhaps it's at least time that changed. Back Over 2.5 goals at [2.08].

Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney have been ruled out of action for a further two months but the strength in depth of the Celtic squad should be enough to earn all three points in Saturday's home clash with St Mirren.

Tony Mowbray is under a bit of pressure after last Sunday's late collapse at Tannadice. Two wins and two draws in the last six is not Celtic, nor championship winning form, but they are still in touching distance of Rangers and with the Old Firm both fragile these days there is no need for panic yet.

Ahead of Celtic's last home tie, versus similar opponents Kilmarnock, there was pressure down to the way the Europa League campaign was panning out. The hosts started well that day and got the first of their three goals early on. I expect the same again here and hence like the look of Celtic/Celtic at [1.83] in the Half-Time/Full-Time Market.

Elsewhere St Johnstone([1.9]) will rightly be fancied at home to Hamilton but I prefer a safer bet in Hibernian's home tie with Falkirk.

John Hughes' men are just three points adrift of Rangers after 12 SPL ties and are there on merit. They play attractive football and can boast solid home form with four wins, one draw with Dundee United and a narrow defeat to Celtic from their six Easter Road ties this term.

Falkirk won 2-0 at home to Falkirk last week but it was the bottom club's first win of the season and building on this in Edinburgh looks a tall order. Hughes didn't receive full credit for what he achieved at Falkirk and this perhaps adds a little spice to the fixture.

Hibs should deliver in the Match Odds at [1.64] but with a comfortable home win looking likely, it's worth backing Hibernian -1.0 goals in the Asian Handicap at [2.14].

Recommendations:

Aberdeen 'DRAW NO BET' @ [3.3] (1pt)

Aberdeen v Rangers: Over 2.5 goals @ [2.08] (1pt)

Celtic 'Half/Time-Full/Time' @ [1.83] (1pt)

Hibernian -1.0 goals @ [2.14] (2pts)