Our soccer analyst previews the Scottish Premiership week four action which kicks off on Saturday 26 August 2017.
The Scottish Premiership enters its fourth week as Celtic, Aberdeen and St. Johnstone all sit at the top of the table with three wins out of three. At the other end of the table, Kilmarnock, Patrick Thistle and Dundee prop up the table having not picked up any points. This week sees a few interesting clashes, including St. Johnstone’s trip to Celtic while Rangers will look to get back to winning ways away to Ross County.
Saturday 26 August
Celtic 1/6 | Draw 11/2 | St. Johnstone 13/1
Celtic continued their early-season dominance with a straight-forward 2-0 win over Kilmarnock over the weekend despite Brendan Rodgers fielding a weakened side. St. Johnstone will be in confident mood heading to Celtic Park this weekend. They’ve won their first three league games of the season with Michael O’Halloran leading the race to the Golden Boot at this early stage of the season.
O’Halloran – on loan from Rangers – will be dead keen on sinking Rodgers’ men at the weekend. His clinical low shot was the difference between St. Johnstone and Partick Thistle over the weekend at McDiarmid Park. At least one of these two sides’ 100% will fall away at the weekend. It’s also worth noting that St. Johnstone were the last side to beat Celtic. A tight affair is expected, but I reckon Celtic will be too strong. With that in mind, back the Under 2.5 goals marker at 27/20.
Motherwell 47/20 | Draw 24/10 | Hearts 21/20
Motherwell got their first win of the season as they cruised to a 2-0 home win over 10-man Ross County. Richard Tait opened the scoring after capitalising on a fluffed clearance before Louis Moult doubled their lead with a penalty which saw Kenny van der Weg sent for an early bath. The win sees the Steelmen climb off the foot of the table up to eighth.
Hearts grabbed the result of the weekend as they managed to hold Rangers to a 0-0 draw at the Ibrox. Despite being under pressure for much of the match, they came closest to opening the scoring as John Souttar’s vicious effort from all of 35-yards out cannoned back off the crossbar. This is another really difficult one to call, as such we’ll be looking at yet another exotic market. Take Motherwell on the (+1) Handicap at 7/10.
Kilmarnock 29/20 | Draw 9/4 | Hamilton 18/10
Kilmarnock will simply have to put last week’s defeat at the hands of Celtic behind them and refocus on this weekend’s fixture. They’re yet to register a point in the league this season and need to buck up now if they’re don’t want to be looking over their shoulder all season. They also need to start scoring more goals, a solitary goal in three games simply isn’t good enough.
Hamilton have made a solid start to the season, winning two of their three matches. They put in one of the best displays the league has seen this season as they downed Hibernian in Edinburgh. The last of their three goals was particularly pleasing on the eye and was something not too dissimilar to what we’re used to seeing Barcelona do to lesser La Liga teams. Passing, pace, movement – if they can replicate that sort of thing on the weekend, they’ll win comfortably. Back the away side at 18/10.
Patrick Thistle 38/10 | Draw 11/4 | Aberdeen 13/20
The Jags were perhaps a little unlucky to not get at least a draw out of last week’s encounter with Motherwell. Two defensive errors led to the Steelmen claiming the three points. They’ll need to be much sharper as they welcome Aberdeen to Firhill Stadium, lest they want to be on the wrong side of an absolute clobbering.
Aberdeen were their own worst enemies last weekend as a number of defensive lapses and wayward passes landed them in trouble. Having taken the lead via a Stevie May header, Ryan Christie’s woefully under hit pass in midfield was pounced upon by Roarie Deacon who made no mistake with the finish. The Dons would go on to secure the points as May’s late rocket found the back of the net. Plenty of value on Aberdeen to win here at 13/20 – get on!
Sunday 27 August
Dundee 26/10 | Draw 23/10 | Hibernian 19/20
Dundee remain rooted to the bottom of the table following their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Aberdeen at the weekend. It’s difficult to see where Neil McCann is going to get his first win from following such a rubbish start to the season.
They’ll be going up against a Hibernian side who are still smarting after their shock 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Hamilton. The Accies were all over Hibs who simply couldn’t deal with the pace, nor the clinical quick passing game that Hamilton played. It’s safe to say that Dundee won’t be zipping it around like Barcelona, though. Take the away win here at 19/20 – Dundee have been pretty bad this season and don’t look like buying a point.
Ross County 38/10 | Draw 11/4 | Rangers 13/20
We round things off with a particularly interesting looking tie between Ross County and Rangers who are set to clash at the Global Energy Stadium on Sunday. Ross County have claimed a solitary win this season – a 2-1 opening day victory over struggling Dundee FC. They will fancy their chances against a Rangers side who haven’t won in two league games as the pressure ramps up on both the players and the manager.
Pedro Caixinha can ill-afford to drop anymore points against what would be considered lesser opposition if he wants to keep his job. From their calamitous first qualifying round exit at the hands of Progres to only picking up a solitary point in their last two home matches against Hibernian and Hearts, something has to give. I’m tempted to back Ross County on the Double Chance here, however, I think Rangers will do better away from the slightly toxic atmosphere they’re experiencing at the Ibrox right now. Back Rangers to get back to winning ways at 13/20.
TREBLE TIPPED @ 5/1
Celtic vs St. Johnstone Under 2.5 Goals 27/20
Aberdeen Win 13/20
Rangers Win 13/20
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