IT’S derby day in Edinburgh and Dundee, with more than just bragging rights up for grabs on a pivotal weekend in the Premiership.
Hearts v Hibs
The scrap for top-six places comes to a conclusion and all the pressure is on Hibs as they head across the capital to face Hearts.
Shaun Maloney’s men are clinging on to sixth place by their fingernails but defeat in the derby would condemn them to finishing in the bottom half of the table.
Even a draw might not be enough so the Hibees will need to go for it at Tynecastle and that should make for an open game.
Maloney’s men have won just one of their last 12 leagues games while Hearts are unbeaten in their last six in all competitions, winning four of those games.
Third place and European football are pretty much sewn up for the Jambos but they will still want to lay down a marker ahead of next week’s Scottish Cup semi-final with their city rivals.
McBookie make Robbie Neilson’s men favourites at evens, with the Hibees as big as 13/5 and the draw paying 5/2.
It’s hard to disagree but I’m steering clear of a result and going for goals instead, even though this fixture has produced two 0-0
stalemates so far this season.
The fact Hibs need a win should make it more entertaining and BTTS is 39/40 with SBK while over 2.5 goals pays 6/5 at the same firm.
Six yellows were flashed when these rivals last faced off and it could be another busy day for the match officials.
Bet 365 are offering 5/6 on each team receiving two or more cards while the same firm price a card inside the first 28 minutes at the same price. Joe Newell has been booked in every derby so far this season and the Hibs midfielder is 13/8 at Bet365 to collect another card here.
Hibs could only draw at home to Dundee United last weekend and that point might end up being enough to get the Tannadice over the line into the top six.
Dundee United v Dundee
Tam Courts’ men need another draw in today’s derby to guarantee a top-half finish but the United boss has vowed to go for a win that would send their rivals hurtling towards relegation.
Defeat at Dens in 2016 condemned United to the drop but they now get a chance to pile on the pain for the Dark Blues.
Mark McGhee’s men head across the city sitting six points adrift at the bottom of the table and desperately need a win to spark their season to life.
Replacing James McPake with McGhee hasn’t paid off so far, with Dundee going eight games without a win.
But they at least showed some fight last weekend as they twice came from behind to claim a 2-2 draw with Aberdeen at Dens Park.
Backing BTTS paid off for me in that game and I fancy it again at Tannadice today, although the two previous clashes this term have produced just a single goal.
Another draw isn’t good enough for Dundee so I can see them being quite open and BTTS appeals at evens with McBookie.
This is another game that promises a few cards with so much at stake for both sides. Over 4.5 cards is priced evens at Bet365 while Callum Butcher (15/8) and Cammy Kerr (3/1) are worth considering for individual cards with the same firm.
Livingston v Motherwell
There’s an intriguing top-six shoot-out at the Tony Macaroni with the winner guaranteed to dine out in the upper half.
Well finally ended their league slump with a win over St Mirren last weekend but Livi away is one of the toughest fixtures in the Premiership.
The Lions appeal at 6/5 with SBK while the half-time draw is another good option at a best 21/20 with Unibet.
Both meetings this season have ended in 2-1 Motherwell wins and a one-goal winning margin for either side today also looks decent at 5/4 with McBookie.
Aberdeen v Ross County
Aberdeen and Ross County also both stand a chance of crashing the top-six party as they face off at Pittodrie.
The Staggies have been my go-to guys in the BTTS market all season and that bet should land again here as it’s a game where only a win will do for each side.
Backing both teams to score pays 11/12 at SBK while over 2.5 goals is 21/20 with Unibet.
Celtic v St Johnstone
Celtic took a huge step towards the title with an Ibrox win last weekend but need to guard against complacency when St Johnstone come calling today.
Saints will probably defend deep so I like over 8.5 Hoops corners at 11/8 with McBookie.
St Mirren v Rangers
Rangers head to St Mirren tomorrow after two draining losses but the Buddies are in awful form so I fancy a Gers win to nil at evens with Betfred.
Super Singles
- Newell card (13/8, Bet365)
- BTTS at Tannadice (Ev, McBookie)
- Half-time draw at Livi (21/20, Unibet)
- Over 8.5 Celtic corners (11/8, McBookie)
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