When you’re a Premiership manager in desperate need of a result, one of the last places you’d want to visit on Scottish Cup weekend is Gayfield.
Arbroath is never the most hospitable of places to play football and I still break into a cold sweat when I recall being battered by the wind and rain next to the North Sea whenever my boy’s club headed up the A92 from Dundee.
With the temperatures plummeting across Scotland this week it’s an even more hazardous trip today for Stevie Hammell’s Motherwell squad, provided the game beats the big freeze.
The Steelmen have gone eight games without a victory in the league and could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to rock-bottom Ross County last weekend.
That makes them vulnerable heading to Gayfield, although Hammell can take heart from the fact Arbroath’s league form has also been poor.
After coming within a whisker of promotion last term Dick Campbell’s men are now fighting against the drop to League One and have collected just one victory in their last seven outings.
Arbroath did beat St Mirren at home in the League Cup though and having a pop at another Premiership side gives them a chance to release some pressure.
Boss Campbell has vowed to go for it and punters looking for cup surprises will fancy a nibble on the Red Lichties to win at 4/1 (Coral).
I’m going to play it a little safer and back Arbroath in the double chance which pays 6/5 at SkyBet.
There’s a David v Goliath tie at Tannadice as Dundee United host Stirling University.
The main challenge during my playing days at uni was trying not to throw up during five-a-sides while vowing to tear up my season ticket for glamorous capital nightspot The West End Subway.
ut the Stirling boys need to figure out a way to stop United’s strikers from running riot, with McBookie making the Premiership side 1/25 hot favourites.
The students are as big as 50/1 for the win at Coral and it’s hard to see the Lowland League side springing a shock.
United have hit form in the league so should go through without much fuss if they have the right attitude.
It’s hard finding value in this one but backing Liam Fox’s side to win a first half that has seen over 1.5 goals pays 11/10 at McBookie.
Scottish Cup Featured Fixtures
- Sat 12:15 Celtic vs Greenock Morton
- Sat 17:30 St Johnstone vs Rangers
- Sun 14:00 Hibernian vs Hearts
- Mon 19:45 Darvel vs Aberdeen
City rivals Dundee head to Paisley and it’s another Premiership vs Championship tie that has the potential for a shock.
St Mirren have impressed under Stephen Robinson this season but a 4-0 midweek loss to Celtic made it just one win in 10 games.
Their home form has been good though, with only two defeats in Paisley all season, and that’s why the Buddies are McBookie’s 8/11 favourites.
Dundee have been too flaky to justify a punt at 7/2 and they are a bit rusty after seeing their last few games fall victim to the weather.
But Gary Bowyer’s side are usually good value for entertainment and have the players to cause a few problems.
I fancy BTTS in this one and that pays evens at Bet365 while over 2.5 goals also appeals at 11/10 with Betfred.
When the draw for the fourth round was made, it looked like Rangers had a tough tie away to St Johnstone.
The Ibrox side lost 2-1 on their last trip to Perth in November, a defeat that helped push Giovanni van Bronckhorst towards the exit door. But Gers have gone eight unbeaten since Michael Beale replaced the Dutchman while Saints have lost five in a row to spark fears of another relegation battle.
Saints fans are far from happy so it’s hard to see Callum Davidson’s men upsetting Rangers again.
McBookie make Beale’s side 4/11 favourites but the price rises to 21/20 if you back Gers to win in a game with over 2.5 goals.
Alfredo Morelos scored twice in midweek at Kilmarnock and should lead the line again with Beale short of options at centre-forward.
The Colombian is 6/5 with SkyBet for anytime scorer and that looks like decent value with him back in the groove.
Celtic kick-off today’s action with a lunchtime game at home to Morton as Dougie Imrie looks to create more Parkhead memories.
The Ton boss scored a famous League Cup winner at Celtic Park to shock Neil Lennon’s Hoops in 2013.
He’s now in the dugout and the bookies don’t fancy a repeat, with the Cappielow men 70/1 shots at Betfair.
I’d expect Ange Postecoglou to make a few changes and David Turnbull should start in midfield after scoring off the bench in midweek.
He’s always a goal threat so looks overpriced at 29/10 with William Hill for an anytime scorer.
The game of the weekend is at Easter Road tomorrow as Hibs seek revenge in the Edinburgh derby.
Hearts beat them 3-0 at Tynecastle a few weeks ago and also battered Aberdeen 5-0 in midweek.
But Hibs have home advantage this time and it ended in a draw when the Jambos last came calling.
We should see goals in this one but BTTS is just 8/13 at McBookie while over 2.5 strikes pays 8/11.
So I’m going for the card market in a fixture that’s always fiery, with Joe Newell looking good value at 2/1 (Bet365) to fall foul of the referee.
Elsewhere, I’m going for a treble of Kilmarnock, Livingston and Raith that pays a best 159/100 with VBet.
Super Single and McBookie Bet Builder
Super singles Arbroath double chance (6/5, SkyBet)
Over 2.5 goals in Paisley (11/10, Betfred)
Turnbull to score (29/10, William Hill).
Newell card (2/1, Bet365).
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