Match of the weekend in Scotland is the clash at Ibrox between Rangers and Celtic so no surprise that it tops the bill in KevMac’s weekend Scottish Premiership preview.
Rangers v Celtic
SO much has changed since Celtic and Rangers were last preparing to do battle at Ibrox.
The pressure was all on Steven Gerrard back in March and defeat to the Hoops could have signalled the end of his Rangers reign.
But that match was never played as football across the continent was shelved and there has been a dramatic power shift since action got back underway.
It’s now Neil Lennon who desperately needs an Ibrox derby win as defeat would leave his side a massive 19 points adrift.
McBookie make Gers 21/20 favourites and it’s hard to disagree as they have won the last two derbies pretty comfortably.
It also would have been three-in-a-row had it not been for a heroic display from Fraser Forster in last term’s League Cup Final.
Celtic’s failure to hang on to the giant Geordie has been a huge factor in their slump this season, with Lennon using three different keepers.
Vasilis Barkas was binned before coming back in from the cold for the midweek win over Dundee United.
And the chopping and changing could haunt Lennon here with Rangers ready to hurt a backline that has never been settled.
Gerrard’s side have scored twice in the last two derbies so look good value here for over 1.5 goals at 21/20 with McBookie.
The Hoops have improved since Lennon paired Odsonne Edouard with Leigh Griffiths again up front.
They could cause the Ibrox defence some trouble too so I fancy both teams to score at 8/9 with SBK. I bet on cards in the first derby this term only to be left disappointed as Celtic never laid a glove on their rivals.
But with so much at stake in this clash I can see the ref being busy, with over 50 booking points (10 for a yellow and 25 for a red) paying 11/10 with Paddy Power.
In the anytime scorer market, James Tavernier looks overpriced at 12/5 with McBookie given he has 17 strikes to his name this term and takes penalties and free-kicks.
Aberdeen v Dundee United
Aberdeen had a midweek off as their clash with Livingston fell victim to the weather and that could help them defeat Dundee United today.
The Dons delivered for me last weekend so I’m backing them to win again at 4/6 with McBookie.
Neither side has been scoring freely so under 2.5 goals also appeals at 4/5 with the same firm.
Hamilton v Motherwell
Motherwell head into their derby with Hamilton reeling from the resignation of manager Stephen Robinson.
Accies haven’t scored in their last three while Well have only netted once in the same spell so go for under 2.5 goals again at 20/21 (McBookie).
Ross County v St Johnstone
Ross County bust my coupon with a win at Hibs in midweek and look overpriced at 23/10 (McBookie) to beat St Johnstone in Dingwall.
Hibernian v Livingston
The Hibees now face Livi at home and I’m backing them to recover with a win at 5/4 with McBookie.
Kilmarnock v St Mirren
Kilmarnock eased the pressure on boss Alex Dyer with a midweek win but I can see their clash with St Mirren ending level (9/4, SBK).
Super Singles
- Over 1.5 Gers goals (21/20, McBookie)
- Over 50 Old Firm booking points (11/10, Paddy Power)
Deadly Double
- Aberdeen and Hibs (275/100, McBookie)
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