CELTIC have won 7 out of nine problems against Rangers this season and Brendan Rogers’ men can do anything to make their name by winning 3 more in 17/20.
Last week’s 3-0 win over Hearts sent the home crowd into a frenzy and Rangers’ 4-1 win over Kilmarnock to keep an eye on their biggest rivals was flattering, to say the least.
Ibrox enthusiasts were more than uneasy before and after Killie dropped to 10 men and there was no debate as to which of the big two is in better form before what is a name-only decision in front of Celtic enthusiasts.
Callum McGregor once again shook off his understandable rust following the injury to one of Britain’s most productive players, while veteran James Forrest played a leading role in filling in the gaps Celtic desperately needed to fill some fragile situations.
Rangers fans will be hoping to have enough dead balls to include James Tavernier in the equation in the primaries, but the way Daizen Maeda attacked him at Ibrox will highlight the visiting captain’s offensive fuel.
Rodgers has been criticised for suggesting Celtic could just laugh this week, but the lethargy of recent performances against Aberdeen and Dundee (more wins), a remote reminiscence against Hearts and Celtic, looks like a winning gamble forged to begin with. Punters’ Day.
ROSS COUNTY took silver with 13/5 for us backing Hibs last week and the Staggies can hold their own today despite arguably stiffer resistance from Motherwell in Dingwall.
The Steelmen made Livingston’s relegation official with a 4-1 win over the Lions last weekend, County have been superb in front of their own fans recently and a fourth straight home win is on the line after Hibs, Rangers and Hearts were left unnecessary.
The county’s concern about the relegation play-off proves to act as a huge incentive and a 13/10 win today will be huge with the lie of St Johnstone lurking in Perth on Wednesday, but the Saints will get away with it today in Livingston.
INVERNESS is expected to win the semi-final second leg at home against Montrose by a miserable 1/3, and HAMILTON is likely to be on the lookout after a 4/11 home win over Alloa.
PETERHEAD lost the first leg of their semi-final 2-1 to Spartans, but the Ligue 2 finalists justified my inclusion in the sensible five by beating Dumbarton 8/5 last Saturday and I need them to be in the game to win. Today’s match at 6/5, even if the final results have to be in extra time.
Stirling Albion also have a home target against Dumbarton, but I see that the Sons are doing enough to keep their heads here and the 5/2 draw looks like a worthwhile gamble to relegate the Binos.
NEWCASTLE improved their particularly average away record with a 4-1 win at Brighton last week and they can maintain that winning range of 19/20 for this column with good luck at home against Brighton at 4/7.
Eddie Howe’s side probably would have been too late for most fans’ liking, but punters can still cash in as the Seagulls’ mini-renaissance is likely more due to Aston Villa’s season running out of fuel fast.
EVERTON can continue their season-ending form with a home win over Sheffield United on 4/11, and Wolves will most likely provide Crystal Palace with tougher opposition than Manchester United were able to muster last Monday.
The match at Molineux may simply be a 5/2 draw with the maximum corporations and the same percentage of problems available as 14/5 in the match between Nottingham Forest and Chelsea at 5:30pm. after WEST HAM gave David Moyes a 5/6 win at home. about Luton.
NORWICH seems to have been ruled out against Leeds in the first leg of tomorrow’s championship play-off semi-final, but the Canaries can at least overtake Elland Road by winning 23/10.
Celta 17/20
Ross County 10/13
San Mirren 17/10
Peter’s Head 5/4
Newcastle 4/7
Brentford’s 0-0 draw denied us five times last week, but today’s sensible five combine with a whopping 39/1 for five home wins.
In last month’s 3-3 draw, goal supporters will again capitalise on it, but most of them seem to be from the home side and I’m drawn to the winning margin prizes that see Celtic win with 2 goals at 9/2 and 3 purposes at 17/2.
Covering either proves to be a viable option with those odds and Kyogo Furuhashi’s record against the Rangers makes Hills’ 8/5 against the ever-scoring Japanese striker seem remarkable compared to the 6/4 and 6/5 you can get elsewhere.
Even Celtic enthusiasts need to save King James Tavernier’s penalty at 3/1 at any time, however, the overall 8/1 on Callum McGregor scoring a goal also comes into play and I called up the game for Celtic at 17/20.
The Hearts may still have an important role to play in the title race if Rangers pull off a 3-1 win over Celtic at lunchtime, so Jambos’ 4/6 performance at home to Dundee will be closely watched.
Dundee arrive in the capital on the back of successive home defeats to Celtic and St Mirren and may have peaked to complete the top six and a 4-1 away win overtakes them.
The home team will be pleased to have a Celtic holiday, but Killie would still need them to be competitive against St Mirren on Wednesday and Hearts deserve to win today before saying goodbye to the season against Rangers next weekend.
The Saints were magnificent at Dens Park last Saturday and this week’s news that Alex Gogic has signed a new contract will have the Paisley crowd humming along for today’s showdown with Killie.
The bookmakers have an average of 17/10 out of two, with 11/5 being the maximum value for the draw, but I am completely drawn to the Saints in this case, despite a point for Killie, who almost secured fourth place.
The home team has just one point from 3 games against the visitors today, but today’s good luck makes the home game big against Hearts ahead of what could be just a small game to play at Celtic next weekend.
It’s possible that Motherwell will still finish seventh ahead of their two rivals today at Easter Road, but either group can pick up a point in what will be an open game with little danger for either team, with the exception of Nick Montgomery’s doubtful future.
It looked like Hibs were missing Evens to suddenly bounce back after losing in County Ross and the only Aberdeen goal that Pittodrie won against Motherwell and St Johnstone was balanced through a grim purposeless draw on their final way to Livingston.
Bojan Miovski’s goals earned him the Football Writers’ Player of the Year nomination, Hibs also scored goals and the 5/2 draw looks to be tomorrow’s business.
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