SPL Betting Preview: Rangers can still win the title

/ John Girvan / 17 January 2009 / Leave a Comment

Ranger fans are calling for change but John Girvan believes the five point title race deficit is not insurmountable yet... Check out his best bets for this weekend's SPL clashes.

The Rangers Supporters Trust is calling for change by the club's board with the "We deserve better" campaign launched this week.

Representatives say there has been "no discernible strategic vision, either on or off the pitch". A statement was released and areas of concern include the side winning "only two league titles in eight seasons" and "only two cups in the last three full seasons".

It's a different financial climate today but many Rangers fans are comparing the current predicament to that of Celtic in the early 1990's. Personally I don't think it's quite as bad as that because, for one, Rangers had a far superior football team to Celtic then and the reverse simply cannot be claimed today.

The five point deficit in the league isn't insurmountable and the market rates Walter Smith's side as having a [3.5] chance of bringing the title back to Ibrox. A home win over Falkirk on Saturday sends Celtic to Pittodrie on Sunday with just a two point cushion, so little room for complacency.

Falkirk sit second bottom but are third favourites and outsiders to go down at [4.1]. The Bairns have just one win and three draws to show from their ten SPL away ties this term so it's no surprise to see them as big as [16.5] in the Match Odds at Ibrox. Even the draw is a massive [7.2] with Rangers understandably strong favourites at [1.22].

John Hughes has his side playing good football but this often leaves them vulnerable as last seasons 7-2 defeat at Ibrox showed. I'm not predicting another seven goals or more effort here but I expect Rangers to be on their way by the break and that makes Rangers Half-Time / Full-Time appeal at [1.69]. Rangers -1.5 & -2.0 at [1.91] in the Asian Handicap Market is also worth backing.

I hinted last week that Inverness weren't as bad a side as six straight defeats in the league suggested. It's great being proved right and they easily outgunned Partick to progress in The Homecoming Scottish Cup. Next up for Caley' is a six pointer at fellow SPL strugglers Hamilton Accies. New Douglas Park is turning into a bit of a fortress for the hosts with Billy Reid's men on a run of three straight home wins.

Another victory gives Accies, still favourites to go down at [2.52], a six point cushion over Inverness([2.8]). Caley's cup exploits might just be the shot in the arm they need going into such a crucial fixture however and that run of six straight defeats will surely come to an end at some point soon.

The danger for Hamilton here is that they are expected to win for a change, that's a different kind of pressure to what they are used to and it all points to opposing the hosts on Saturday. Lay Hamilton at [2.3] in the Match Odds.

Dundee United should take care of Mark McGhee's Motherwell on Sunday and it's not difficult to see why. Craig Levein's men have been very strong at home this season, holding both halves of the Old Firm so far and dropping just five points in their eight other fixtures at Tannadice. They are unbeaten in eight games in all competitions at present and that looks set to continue on Sunday.

Motherwell have just two wins and a draw from their last six league fixtures but they are unbeaten in their last three and this represents the longest unbeaten streak of their season. The recent away form is poor however as they haven't scored a goal in five away games and only stopped a four game losing run on the road with a goalless draw at St Mirren two weeks ago.

United have conceded just five goals in eight non Old Firm ties at home this season and Motherwell look hard pushed to dent the average here. Back Dundee United in the Match Odds at [1.74].

Aberdeen's run of five straight home wins is another trend that looks vulnerable this weekend when Celtic visit in the live Setanta clash on Sunday. The Dons moved into fourth in the table after a 2-1 win at Kilmarnock on Tuesday night and look like having a big say in the championship with Rangers visiting Pittodrie six days after this one.

Artur Boruc dropped another clanger in the cup last weekend. Celtic still progressed to the fifth round but fans are restless and feel it's time the Pole was temporarily axed. The Champions have a League Cup Semi-Final with Dundee United a week on Tuesday however and Rangers visit Celtic Park in four weeks also so it's hardly the ideal time to start tinkering with the No.1 spot.

Gordon Strachan's side have an excellent record at Pittodrie. The Dons last home win in this fixture came in December 2001 and more recently the three season record reads five wins and a draw. Aberdeen is always billed as a tough away fixture but it's one Celtic have consistently delivered in however and at [1.72] in the Match Odds they looks a decent bet. The draw at [3.75] has a fair chance here however given the hosts current form.

I just can't see Aberdeen winning but laying them in the Match Odds is a high stakes, low return play. For me the most interesting market where this match is concerned is the Celtic Clean Sheet Market. Gordon Strachan has a big decision to make regarding Boruc. Mark Brown could step in but I see the Celtic gaffer giving the Pole one last chance. Either way there will be a nervous tension in and around the box and that makes "No" worth backing at [1.63].