ST JOHNSTONE’S start to the new campaign has been so shambolic it’s conjuring images of Liz Truss wandering around Downing Street in a daze.
The former Prime Minister was finally put out of her misery after 49 days and Saints’ season will reach the same mark next weekend with a Tayside derby against Dundee.
That clash with the promoted Dark Blues looks like being pivotal for Steven MacLean with the Perth electorate but first he must take his side to Parkhead for a daunting game against champions Celtic.
The injury-hit Hoops aren’t in a great place right now and they’re coming off the back of a surprise loss to Kilmarnock in the League Cup.
So it’s says everything about St Johnstone’s troubles that some firms still make them 55/1 rank outsiders.
Having followed up losses to Stenny, Ayr and Stirling in the League Cup with back-to-back Premiership defeats against Hearts and Ross County, it’s easy to see why Saints are being written off.
Attack is probably the best form of defence against Brendan Rodgers’ side with so many Celtic defenders on the sidelines.
But MacLean is also missing some main men up front and that’s why his side have drawn blanks in four of their six matches so far.
I’d expect St Johnstone to sit deep and that makes corners a good option. Backing Celtic -5 in the corner handicap looks good at 10/11 with Bet365 and the same firm price over five first-half flag kicks at a tempting 7/5.
To say St Johnstone midfielder Dan Phillips likes a tackle is a bit like suggesting America takes a slightly aggressive approach to foreign policy.
He racked up nine yellows and a red in just 23 appearances last term and has already collected two more bookings this season.
Phillips is 6/5 with Bet365 to add another card to his collection today and that looks good value.
Ross County caused Celtic plenty of problems on day one at Parkhead and it will be interesting to see how Rangers fare in Dingwall today.
With this game coming in the middle of two massive Champions League qualifiers with PSV, the Ibrox side will be looking forward to the long trek north as much as the long-suffering wife of a Loch Ness Monster enthusiast from Land’s End.
But McBookie still make Gers 1/3 hot favourites with the Staggies at 7/1 and the draw paying 17/4.
All the stats point towards plenty of goals, with BTTS and over 2.5 strikes landing in six of County’s seven games so far.
Over 3.5 goals pays 7/5 with McBookie and I also like over 1.5 first-half strikes at the same odds with the same firm.
Hibs were humbled by Aston Villa on Wednesday night and Livingston will be looking to pile on the pain when they pitch up at Easter Road this afternoon.
Livi look a bit overpriced at 18/5 with William Hill but going for goals is probably a safer bet.
BTTS looks good at 10/11 with Unibet while over 2.5 goals is a tempting evens with QuinnBet.
Kilmarnock could hardly have made a better start to the season with wins over the Old Firm and a draw at Hearts.
They have another tough match today at Fir Park and the half-time draw looks the best option at 21/20 with McBookie.
Aberdeen got a great result in Sweden on Thursday night but could find it tough away to St Mirren tomorrow.
It may get a bit feisty and Unibet price over 2.5 St Mirren cards at 6/5.
Hearts head to Dens Park as they bid to banish the gloom of a home loss to PAOK.
Dundee’s games haven’t seen a lot of goals so far so I’m going to back a one-goal winning margin for either side. That bet pays 13/10 with McBookie.
Super Singles
- Over five first-half corners at Celtic (7/5, Bet365)
- Over 2.5 goals at Hibs (evs, QuinnBet)
- HT draw at Fir Park (21/20, McBookie)
- Over 2.5 St Mirren cards (6/5, Unibet)
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