Scottish Football Betting: No walk in the New Douglas Park for Celtic

Scottish Football / John Girvan / 29 January 2010 / Leave a Comment

Marc Antoine-Fortune scored an absolute cracker in midweek but couldn't prevent a shock defeat at the hands of Hibs

"The form suggests this price is short with Tony Mowbrays’ men achieving just two wins and two draws in the last six. Hamilton’s recent record is identical to this and Accies proved tough opponents for Rangers in all three of their recent meetings."

John Girvan sorts the good from the bad in terms of betting opportunities in the world of Scottish football this weekend.

St Mirren failed to net in the early kick-off at Fir Park last Saturday so the 1pt that said both teams would score was lost. Things improved at Ibrox in the afternoon where not even an injury time goal could stop a 2pt stake on Under 2.5 goals coming in. The same bet was on at McDiarmid Park on Sunday and so was St Johnstone +1.5 goals. It was 1-1 with 20 minutes to go but Celtic pulled through and ran out 4-1 winners.

Profit/Loss: - 8.52 pts

The championship has taken a couple of twists in the last seven days with Rangers drawing at home to Hearts last Saturday and Hibs winning at Celtic Park on Wednesday night. Last week I suggested Celtic were worth backing with a view to trade in the Winner 2009/10 Market. The hoops were [3.2] at the time but dropped to [2.7] after the draw at Ibrox and then again to [2.47] once business was taken care of at McDiarmid Park on Sunday.

The midweek results mean there is now a 10 point gap and naturally Celtic are now out at [3.55]. It's only January however and the gap between the Old Firm and the rest isn't what it once was (Celtic are just two points clear of Hibs after 21 matches) so whilst both are dropping points frequently there is money to be made by trading on this market.

This week Celtic have the chance to get their points on the board first in Saturday's ESPN clash at New Douglas Park. The pressure is on after Wednesday's result and it's a tough couple of days with a game in hand at Kilmarnock this coming Tuesday. One step at a time however and as you would expect the visitors start strong favorites in the match odds at [1.41].

The form suggests this price is short with Tony Mowbrays' men achieving just two wins and two draws in the last six. Hamilton's recent record is identical to this and Accies proved tough opponents for Rangers in all three of their recent meetings. Celtic are still without Scott McDonald and although Giorgios Samaras and Fortune came good at St Johnstone last week, they need to start producing on a regular basis.

Rangers struggled in their two recent visits here. Yes, they were heavily depleted second time around in the league but Celtic are far from full strength themselves at the moment. Hinkel was the only regular who featured in the back four in midweek and big players from the last two seasons are either injured or have left the club. A narrow away win looks most likely and all things considered Hamilton +1.5 goals sticks out at [1.9] in the Asian Handicap.

Top host bottom at Ibrox in the afternoon and the match odds price of [1.2] for a home win suggests Rangers will walk it against Falkirk. Novo and Miller were a welcome return in midweek but the Scot was substituted due to a thigh strain and could be out for Saturday.

Walter Smith's men have struggled of late but his injury-ravaged squad is grinding out results. Last week's injury time equalizer at home to Hearts proved that they have a strong team spirit but the fact they were in that situation in the first place stresses the point that they are weak at the moment.

In terms of goals Lafferty is low in confidence and if Miller doesn't make it then it could be down to Novo and possibly Naismith who got 15 minutes on Wednesday. Falkirk lost heavily at home to Dundee United last week but held Celtic at Parkhead a fortnight ago and will set up to contain and frustrate a home side low on firepower. Back Draw/Rangers in the Half-Time/Full-Time Market at [4.9].

Hibs look to have captured their early season form and are a good bet to inflict a seventh straight away defeat on St Mirren. John Hughes' men have stuttered since December but last week's demolition of Hamilton and Wednesday's dramatic late win in Glasgow will surely restore the confidence. Gus MacPhersons' visitors lack creativity and a goal scorer whilst Hibs have both in abundance. Back Hibernian -1.0 at [2.1] in the Asian Handicap.

Recommendations:

Hamilton +1.5 goals against Celtic @ [1.9] (2pts)

Draw Half-Time / Rangers Full-Time @ [4.9] (1pt)

Hibs -1.0 goals @ [2.1] (2pts)