Scottish Football Betting: Goals at St Johnstone as Rangers close in on title

Scottish Football / John Girvan / 19 February 2010 /

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Kris Boyd is as so is normally the case, Rangers' main source of goals this weekend

"The Gers could be set for another pre Celtic slip-up this weekend at free-scoring St Johnstone, who put five past Hibernian in midweek. The table toppers looked hungry in their 3-0 win over Hibs last Sunday but made some changes for a Scottish Cup replay with St Mirren on Wednesday and were dreadful."

John Girvan talks us through the results of a very profitable week last time out and looks ahead to this weekend's action.

I predicted goals at Pittodrie last week and true to form an eight goal thriller ensued. Meaning there was a quick return for 2pts on "Both Teams To Score" - just nine minutes and 1pt on 4 goals or more at [3.08] was delivered by the break. Hamilton's stalemate with Motherwell returned a 1pt stake on Hamilton -0 whilst Hibs made a game of it at Ibrox right enough where the 1pt on Draw/Rangers landed a [4.3] shot.

Profit/Loss: + 2.05 pts

Rangers have one hand on the title. That's the general feeling in the Scottish media after the gap between the Old Firm returned to 10 points following Celtic's draw at Aberdeen last week.

Celtic are out to a season long high of [6.2] for the title whilst Rangers sit far more comfortably at just [1.19]. There are 13 matches left including two Old Firm ties and given both sides have let seven point leads slip in the last two seasons it's case of anything can happen.

In saying this, Walter Smith's side have lost just once in the league all season whilst Tony Mowbray's men can only boast a best unbeaten run of just six games with their longest winning streak just three - this is why so many believe it's over.

The first of the two remaining Old Firm ties takes place at Ibrox a week on Sunday so this is a big weekend. Wins are vital for carrying momentum into the big game but on the eve of the last nine Old Firm ties both sides have managed victories on just four occasions. Rangers are mostly to blame for this as whilst Celtic have won all but one of these fixtures, the Ibrox men have won only five.

The Gers could be set for another pre Celtic slip-up this weekend at free-scoring St Johnstone, who put five past Hibernian in midweek. The table toppers looked hungry in their 3-0 win over Hibs last Sunday but made some changes for a Scottish Cup replay with St Mirren on Wednesday and were dreadful. They were lucky they faced a Paisley side who don't create much and a late Kris Boyd strike was enough to grind out yet another result.

Saturday's hosts won't be as forgiving if Rangers ([1.45]) aren't up for this one. They have been good for goals all season and have netted four times in four meetings with the Old Firm this term. On the subject of goals, both sides have found nine from their last four league matches so there is a strong case for at least a couple in the live ESPN clash. Back Over 2.5 goals at [1.84].

Celtic v Dundee United is an interesting one. Celtic Park will be fired up if Rangers drop anything in Perth but the hosts don't usually get it their own way against United. The Terrors earned a 1-1 draw here in September, their fifth in seven league visits, and managed to dig out a 2-1 win from a losing position in their Tannadice meeting in November.

Celtic ([1.39]) are being criticised for the way they are defending at present, or not as the case may be after shipping nine goals in the last six. Nonetheless both sides have managed to find the net in their last six league meetings and [2.0] is available on this trend continuing. Celtic's leaky defence and talented strike force make for goals so Over 2.5 looks a banker at [1.79] and like last week, 4 goals or more is of particular interest at [2.96].

The best of the other bets in the SPL this weekend is Kilmarnock for a home win over St Mirren on Saturday. The Buddies are really struggling in the league at the moment with five defeats and a draw in their last six. Gus MacPherson's men have lacked a cutting edge up front, scoring just three times in those last six league ties and two of these were via own goals.

Killie meanwhile are doing great under new boss Jimmy Calderwood who has got them playing with belief and a never say die attitude. This was evident in last week's home victory over St Johnstone where they twice came from behind to record their third straight league win and fourth in all competitions. Back Kilmarnock in the match odds at [2.08].

Recommendations:

St Johnstone v Rangers: Over 2.5 goals @ [1.84] (1pt)

Celtic v Dundee United: "Both Teams To Score" @ [2.0] (1pt)

Celtic v Dundee United: 4 goals or more @ [2.96] (1pt)

Kilmarnock @ [2.08] (2pts)

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