Jason Dewey looks at the betting for week three of the Scottish Premier League, with all six matches taking place on Saturday 19 August.
We’re heading into the third week of the Scottish Premier League now as things start to take shape at the top of the table. St. Johnstone lead the way (on goal difference) from Celtic Hibernian and Aberdeen who all find themselves on six points.
This week’s action sees Celtic go head to head with winless Kilmarnock while Aberdeen will be keen to make it three on the spin when they welcome Dundee FC to the Pittodrie Stadium.
Saturday 19 August
Kilmarnock 10/1 | Draw 52/10 | Celtic 1/5
Kilmarnock suffered their second consecutive 1-0 defeat of the 2017/18 season as they went down to Hearts at Rugby Park at the weekend. Poor defending from Kirk Bradford allowed Esmaël Gonçalves in behind as the Portuguese made no mistake with the finish. As it stands, Bradford won’t be available for the Celtic match after a fairly innocuous coming together with Gonçalves resulted both players being sent off.
Celtic were perhaps a touch lucky to come away from Patrick Thistle with all three points. An Olivier Ntcham screamer secured a 1-0 for Brendan Rodgers’ side. Not the most convincing performance from the Champions who suffered from several lapses of concentration at the back. Kris Doolan should have leveled matters after he found himself in acres of space in the box but sent his header over the bar. Celtic weren’t convincing last week and are tipped to come back strong against Kilmarnock. Back the away side to win to nil at 8/10.
Hibernian 11/20 | Draw 29/10 | Hamilton 47/10
Hibernian picked up the result of the week last time out as the edged out Rangers 3-2 in a thriller at the Ibrox. Unfortunately, the match will be remembered more for the unsavoury moments that eventually led to the sending off of Ryan Jack who nearly came to blows with Anthony Stokes. Hibs will be oozing with confidence when they welcome Hamilton to Easter Road this Saturday.
While Hamilton secured a 3-0 win over Dundee at the weekend, it’s worth mentioning that Dee missed a string of gilt-edged chances including a penalty which was blazed over the crossbar. Still, credit to Accies for scoring three and claiming the points even if they looked a shambles defensively. Hibs won’t make the same mistakes that Dundee did last week, they’ll take their chances and secure victory – get on at 11/20.
Rangers 7/10 | Draw 26/10 | Hearts 7/2
Rangers come into this match after a bitterly disappointing 3-2 reverse at the Ibrox last week against Hibernian. The defeat sees the pressure ramped up ten-fold on Pedro Caixinha who desperately needs to win over the Rangers faithful or we could see him sacked before November’s out.
Hearts claimed a solid 1-0 win over Kilmarnock last week with Esmaël Gonçalves capitalising on a wobbly piece of defending to score in the first half. The Portuguese was sent off later on in what looked like a rather soft coming together with Kirk Bradford – a red card that is likely to be rescinded by the Sottish FA. Even with Gonçalves up front, I simply don’t see Rangers losing at home twice in the space of two weeks. If anything, their defeat last week adds a bit of value to this week’s price. Take the home win at 7/10.
Aberdeen 3/10 | Draw 39/10 | Dundee 7/1
Aberdeen showed their mettle as they came back from a goal down to beat Patrick Thistle 2-1 at the Global Energy Stadium. Shay Logan’s second-half header completed the comeback after Craig Curran lashed home a ferocious volley to bring the title-hopefuls level. Derek McInnes will be looking to his team to lay down a bit of a marker against Dundee who don’t look like buying a point at the moment.
The last thing Dundee need after a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Hamilton – which condemned them to the foot of the table – is a visit to Aberdeen. I’ll keep this part short and sweet: back Aberdeen on the (-1) handicap at 9/10 with confidence. One to add to all weekend multiples.
Motherwell 33/20 | Draw 23/10 | Ross County 15/10
Motherwell finished their game against St. Johnstone with eight men last week as Trevor Carson, Carl McHugh and Charles Dunne all received their marching orders for a variety of offences. Carson was bombed after handling the ball outside of the box while McHugh was dismissed for a wild tackle straight out of the Vinnie Jones handbook. Dunne was dismissed late on for a clumsy challenge in the box. Steve Robinson knows that his side need to get off the mark this weekend, lest they want to go into gameweek four pointless.
Ross County were in no way disgraced last week as they went down 2-1 at Aberdeen. Craig Curran gave Jim McIntyre’s side the lead in the second minute of the match. Although they’d go on to concede in the 23rd and 71st minute, they held their own against one of the strongest sides in the competition. Motherwell should be stronger at home, but I’m not confident they’ll win here. Ross County have been good this season and should come away with at least a point. Back the away side on the double chance at 7/20.
St. Johnstone 19/20 | Draw 23/10 | Patrick Thistle 28/10
The Saints will be properly confident heading into their Saturday fixture against Patrick Thistle following their excellent 4-1 against Motherwell last week. It should, however, be mentioned that the Steelmen had been reduced to eight men although most of the damage had been inflicted before the last two players were given their marching orders.
I was really impressed with Patrick Thistle last week who were unlucky not to come away from their match against Celtic with at least a point. They matched the champions stride for stride and were only beaten by a classy Paul Scholes-esque volley from Olivier Ntcham. I’ll be taking Patrick on the Win/Draw double chance here – big value at 15/20 and definitely one for the multiples.
Treble Tipped at 4.49/1
Aberdeen (-1) 9/10
Patrick Thistle Win/Draw 15/20
Rangers win 13/20
