GIOVANNI VAN BRONCKHORST will have enjoyed the international break after Rangers ended their losing run and cut the gap at the top to just two points thanks to Celtic’s shock defeat at St Mirren.
Pressure was mounting on the Ibrox boss after a 4-0 pounding at Parkhead was followed by further heavy defeats in the Champions League to Ajax and Napoli.
But Gers got back on track by beating Dundee United at home two weeks ago and were given another boost 24 hours later as the Hoops slipped up in Paisley.
That put a smile back on their fans’ faces heading into the break and took the heat off van Bronckhorst after that dismal run.
But the pressure will pile back on if Gers don’t hit the ground running on their return and they have some tough fixtures coming up, with today’s trip to Tynecastle followed by a Champions League double-header with Liverpool.
Hearts also got back to winning ways before the international break, following up a Euro win in Riga by beating Motherwell 3-0 on the road.
#Robbie Neilson badly needed those two results after a horror run of six defeats in seven games and will now be looking to topple Rangers and build even more momentum.
But the odds are against them for this lunchtime clash with McBookie making the Jambos 7/2 outsiders and Gers 8/11 favourites. The draw pays 3/1.
It’s hard to disagree with those odds after the Ibrox side won 3-1 on their last trip to Gorgie with a reserve team as they rested stars ahead of the Europa League Final.
We should see goals as Hearts have plenty of firepower and even rock-bottom United managed to score at Ibrox last time out.
BTTS isn’t great value at a best 5/7 with VBet while over 2.5 goals is even skinnier at 7/10 so the best value comes in the scorer markets James Tavernier is as big as 16/5 with William Hill and that looks well worth a punt as he takes the Rangers penalties.
Lawrence Shakland will be the biggest Hearts threat and he’s 43/20 with Unibet. Going for cards could also pay off in what is usually a fiery fixture. You have to go to over 5.5 match cards to get to 6/5 at McBookie so I’m going for the player market again.
Peter Haring should be at the heart of the midfield battle and he’s 13/10 at Paddy Power for a card while John Lundstram looks great value at 100/30 with SkyBet.
Celtic will be looking to take their frustration out on Motherwell at Parkhead after stewing over that St Mirren defeat.
It will be interesting to see what team Ange Postecoglou picks with so many players coming back from international duty. But Jota looks a stick-on to start and the Portuguese winger is 29/20 with Unibet to score.
The Steelmen should be on the back foot for most of the game so I like the 31/20 on offer at the same firm for over 2.5 Well cards.
Derek McInnes returns to Pittodrie for the first time as Kilmarnock boss after eight years with Aberdeen.
Killie badly need a result after consecutive 1-0 losses to Hibs and Livingston but McBookie make them 4/1 outsiders with the Dons at 8/11.
I can see the home side edging what could be a war of attrition and a one-goal winning margin for either side pays 29/20 at McBookie.
Cards could be a good option for this one too and Alan Power is always a good choice in that market. The Kilmarnock midfield enforcer is 21/20 with Bet365 for a fourth card this term.
St Mirren will be looking to follow up their Celtic win with another three points at home but Livingston are always hard to beat so I like the half-time draw at 21/20 with VBet.
Hibs head north to Ross County and BTTS is always a good option with the Staggies. It pays a best 19/20 at Unibet.
Liam Fox takes charge of Dundee United for the first time as permanent boss and I fancy him for a victory (8/5, Unibet) at home to St Johnstone in a Tayside derby.
- Super Singles
- Lundstram card (100/30, SkyBet)
Jota to score (29/20, Unibet) - One-goal margin at Pittodrie (29/20, McBookie)
- United win (8/5 Unibet)
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