SPL Betting Preview: Hibs and Falkirk have scores to settle

Scottish Football / John Girvan / 21 August 2009 / Leave a Comment

Recommended Bets:

Celtic -2.0 at 2.04 (1pts);
Hearts v Rangers: Over 2.5 goals at 2.04 (1pts);
Celtic/Rangers multiple at around 1.85 (2pt);
Hibs -0 at 1.96 (1pt)

John Girvan is in buoyant mood after his clean sweep but can our man north of the border keep up the good work this weekend?

Last week's clean sweep was a great start to this season's SPL betting. An 87% profit was yielded from the new weekly five point spend and it was mostly thanks to the Old Firm. Celtic beat a one goal handicap at Pittodrie and Rangers 4-1 win over Falkirk overcame an even bigger one. The match odds double obliged and the rout was completed at Tannadice on Monday night with United's 2-0 win over Hearts falling in the 'Unders' category.

Profit/Loss: +4.35pts

Hibernian have signed former Arsenal striker Anthony Stokes on a three year deal from Sunderland. The 21-year-old had a loan spell with Falkirk under John Hughes in 2006 and if international clearance is granted in time he could go straight into the squad on Saturday. Fate has it that Hibs visit The Falkirk Stadium and the lunch-time fixture is live on ESPN.

Stokes joins a whole host, including manager Hughes, who re-visit their former home this weekend and it all makes for an exciting game. Falkirk's goal at Ibrox last week was a massive 'two fingers' to the type of short passing football 'Yogi' imposed during his time there and the current regime will be keen to prove that they have a more effective formula for winning football matches.

Hibs edge this one in terms of quality. Hughes took both McBride and Cregg with him to Edinburgh and is delighted at the addition of his new striker. There are a few scores to settle and it will be both tight and physical but there is value in opposing Falkirk. Like last season they just don't have the firepower to win games, even when they are playing well, and backing Hibs -0 at [1.96] in the Asian Handicap represents good value.

Celtic host newly promoted St Johnstone on Saturday and on paper it's exactly the kind of fixture that could help sooth the pain of that midweek defeat to Arsenal. Tony Mowbray's side were up against it on Tuesday but they battled hard, closing down and pressing well, but their possession play was poor and in the end they were un-done by a deflection and an own goal.

The Gunners are a class act however and on the whole it's been a decent start to the season for the hosts. Celtic should build on last week's good win but are as short as [1.19] in the match odds. This should be added to any multiple but the Asian Handicap Market offers more value where Celtic -2.0 is available at [2.04]. Here you are rewarded for any Celtic victory by a three goal margin and it's money back if they only manage it by two.

Last week was a good time for Celtic to be visiting Pittodrie and there is a similar thought surrounding Rangers' visit to Tynecastle this weekend. Hearts lost 2-0 at Tannadice on Monday night in their league opener. No shame there, United will be there or thereabouts for third this year, but they followed this up with a gruelling trip to Zagreb for Thursday night's Europa League Qualifier and found themselves on the receiving end of a 4-0 hammering.

Two defeats on the bounce and six goals without reply have ensured that confidence certainly won't be at its highest. They have a decent home record against Rangers however with three wins and a draw in the last six capital meetings. It's a bit of a cliché but the opening 20 minutes can have a heavy bearing on the Jambos chances in this one.

Hearts have a good habit of bursting out the traps in this kind of game and the first goal could really get them going. The defence is a Rangers strong point however and the return of Sasa Papac is a boost in terms of weathering the early storm. It wasn't a vintage opening day performance from Walter Smith's men last week but they scored four goals and former Hibee Kenny Miller looked particularly sharp.

Hearts may seem big at [5.9] in the match odds but a well rested Rangers are just about right in the same market and the pick at [1.68]. The visitors could win this one by a couple and Rangers -1.0 in the Asian Handicap at [2.17] could be worth backing but this fixture's goal history makes for a safer option. The last four Gorgie Road meetings average 3.5 goals per game so it makes sense to back Over 2.5 goals at a healthy [2.04].