Thankfully, proper football returns after another international break that seemed to last a lifetime. This weekend looks like a huge one in the Scottish Premiership, as Celtic could gain further ground in the title race, with the Rangers under huge pressure to respond.
Speaking of the reigning champions, they should move eight points clear of their bitter rivals this weekend. Not since the 1906/07 season have the Hoops won their opening five league matches of a season without conceding but there’s a great chance of shattering that record on Saturday.
Celtic vs Hearts
Being brutally honest, I don’t hold any hope for Hearts. The Jambos may have beaten Celtic home and away last season, but both sides look totally different propositions so far this term. There are one or two prices that appeal for player selections, so I’m as well mentioning them just in case one lands.
Potential selection at right-back ANTHONY RALSTON to be booked with bet365 at 15/2, given there’s doubt surrounding Alistair Johnston starting following picking up an injury against USA for Canada on international duty, screams value although Celtic should have the lion’s share of possession this weekend.
The Scottish Premiership Player of the Month, CALLUM MCGREGOR, is on fire now, well rested after retiring from international duty with Scotland, so the skipper to score anytime at 9/2 with Paddy Power against the Jambos seems generous.
But CELTIC TO WIN BOTH HALVES at 6/5, boosted with bet365, is very appealing. This landed in the teams’ last meeting at Celtic Park, and since then, Celtic have looked slick at the start of this season, whereas Hearts have been pretty hopeless in their opening four fixtures.
Aberdeen vs Motherwell
Aberdeen are the only other team in Scotland’s top flight to have clinched four wins from as many Scottish Premiership matches. The Dons will be hoping to clinch a fantastic fifth after leaving it late against Ross County in Dingwall before the break.
KEVIN NISBET proved the hero in the Highlands, 7/4 to score anytime with SkyBet isn’t too bad. However, Sky offering FIRST GOALSCORER at 5/1 is a lot more appealing. It depends on the former Hibs hitman leading the line, but should he be given the nod then he’ll want to pick up where he left off.
He could be in line for his first Pittodrie start after previously making an 11 minute cameo against Kilmarnock previously. As a striker there must be huge pressure to score goals so having done so last time out, there’d be no greater way to endear himself to a raucous Reds home support by finding the net again here.
Hibernian vs St Johnstone
My next selection is a card in the capital, as I can’t believe that ANDRE RAYMOND’s price hasn’t come in more from 11/2 to 5/1 with bet365.
There’s a huge pressure on Hibernian to claim a first Scottish Premiership victory of the season against St Johnstone.
More often than not, the Hibees tend to hang their hopes on Australian international Martin Boyle. He scored a stunner in his last game at Easter Road, in their draw with Dundee, but his direct marker at left-back has been booked in the Cabbage’s last two matches.
Dundee’s Ziyad Larkeche was shown a card in Edinburgh, with Kilmarnock’s Corrie Ndaba also being given a yellow at Rugby Park. I backed Raymond to be ticketed in the Tayside derby against Dundee United, so I’m certainly tempted to do so again this weekend.
I would expect Hibs to claim the three points against Saints on Saturday, but BENJAMIN KIMPIOKA as an ANYTIME GOALSCORER for St Johnstone at Easter Road at 4/1 with bet365 looks an inviting price. A certainty to start, can the Swedish striker score once more?
The 24-year-old scored a consolation the last time he faced the capital club and netted against Motherwell in their last match. If Craig Levein selects two up front again, given his partner in crime Adama Sidibeh is still suspended, Nicky Clark should create space for his fellow forward to hopefully equal last season’s tally on Saturday.
Ross County vs Dundee
Some bets seem to carve out themselves, so SIMON MURRAY to SCORE ANYTIME at 2/1 with either SkyBet or William Hill on his return to Ross County with Dundee looks a nap. However, if you’re after more value I’m going for a County caution against the Dee.
CONNOR RANDALL should be leading by example as the Staggies skipper but, given the Highlanders’ start to the season, some frustration may be growing in Dingwall with the hosts one of four Scottish Premiership teams yet to win a league match this season.
Having been SHOWN A YELLOW in two of his four league games so far, and also being cautioned against the Dee in Dingwall last December, 9/2 with BoyleSports or bet365 seems generous for the midfield general to make his way into the referee’s notepad.
St Mirren vs Kilmarnock
Last, but certainly not least, two of last season’s top five go head-to-head in Paisley as St Mirren host Kilmarnock. There are a few appealing goalscorer selections, for either the hosts or visitors with both sides in need of a victory.
Mark O’Hara takes the Saints’ spot-kicks and likes a goal from midfield, so 5/1 for him to haunt his former club could prove an enticing pick. However, Bruce Anderson may have secured a starting spot in Paisley after a late leveller for Killie against Hibs from the spot before the break.
Dependent on his strike partner, either MARLEY WATKINS (bet365) or KYLE VASSELL (SkyBet) – who is the Killie captain so will likely get the nod – are both appealing punts at 4/1 to SCORE ANYTIME against St Mirren on Saturday.
Both have scored in European competition for Killie this season, Watkins against Copenhagen and Vassell against Tromsø respectively. Neither have scored in the Scottish Premiership this season, but both netted 9 league goals last season.
I’m backing Vassell to get the nod, wearing that armband, and three of his last four league goals in 2023/24 came against the Buddies, so here’s hoping that history can repeat itself.
They won twice at the SMISA Stadium last season, Marley Watkins netting the winner for Killie there last December before Vassell did so in May, and there could be no greater match for the skipper to get off the mark in the Premiership than in Paisley.
(Saturday treble of Aberdeen, Hibernian and Dundee is best priced with William Hill at 5.94/1)
