HEARTS stamped their credentials all over nearest title betting rivals Dundee last week and they can cover a one-goal handicap at Tayside neighbours Arbroath tonight.
It wasn’t just the trouncing handed out by the Jambos at Tynecastle to the Dens Park men, what should really frighten their rivals – if they have any in the Championship – was the strength of their bench.
Robbie Neilson had the option to call on the likes of Steven Naismith, Peter Haring, Craig Wighton and Andy Halliday from his subs last week and that illustrates the strength of his squad with that quartet surely able to walk into plenty of Premiership squads.
Six goals didn’t flatter them and the 5-1 McBookie.com had on offer at the start of the season for Hearts to go unbeaten might be a generous one.
Dick Campbell’s men were the great overachievers last season in the league but alarm bells sounded at their opening 3-0 defeat at newly-promoted Raith Rovers last week.
Arbroath also have injury problems and Thomas O’Brien is suspended. With no punters and a relatively calm night at Gayfield forecast, Hearts can win minus a goal at odds against.
St Johnstone have finally found their goalscoring form and can beat Dundee United at McDiarmid Park on Saturday.
After a nightmare spell of one goal in seven games the penny appears to have well and truly dropped for Callum Davidson’s men.
A 7-0 thrashing of Brechin in the League Cup may have been expected but it appears to have given them a real attacking shot in the arm.
Few teams have netted five goals at New Douglas Park in recent times against Hamilton Accies and Stevie May and Craig Conway linked up particularly well.
Only United’s exceptional keeper Benjamin Siegrist saved them from certain defeat against Aberdeen last week and Dundee United’s defence is penetrable.
With the squad the Saints have got they should be looking to push on and can beat Micky Mellon’s men.
Annan are a fair price at 6-4 to beat neighbours Stranraer at Galabank. Both sides opened their League Two campaigns in contrasting fortunes last week while Annan were cantering to a 3-0 win at Cowdenbeath, Stranraer were being thumped at Stair Park by Elgin City.
Annan have already beaten Premiership Hamilton there and narrowly lost to Ayr Unite in the League Cup yet are outsiders for this encounter.
And with Nathan Flanagan and Jack Purdue in decent form there could be value in backing Peter Murphy’s men.
Recommended Bets
- Hearts -1 (21-20, McBookie)
- St Johnstone (20-21, McBookie)
- Annan (6-4, McBookie)
Ex-Racing Post man Mark Walker is a McBookie.com blogger
The post Mark Walker’s Scottish Tips: Hearts look unstoppable already appeared first on MrFixitsTips.