Aberdeen v St Mirren
The first of our Feb 16 Scottish Premiership betting tips is for Aberdeen v St Mirren. Premiership action returns following last week’s Scottish Cup distraction and followers see four of six matches take place on Saturday afternoon, with the remaining two ties scheduled for Sunday. Aberdeen aims to get the jump on leaders Celtic, closing the gap between themselves in third and the champions with a home win over lowly St Mirren. The Dons have won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five, with that defeat coming on their most recent start.
Bounce Back
Losing 4-2 at this venue when hosting Rangers on 6 February, they look to have a great chance to bounce back to winning ways when rolling out the red carpet for St Mirren, a side sitting bottom of the league and stuck on a losing run. The Paisley Pandas are already six points off Hamilton and safety and are showing no signs of closing the gap anytime soon. Back Aberdeen to do as expected and win the match at 2/7 with Coral – one for your accas. The draw goes 9/2 (Bet365), an away win 12/1 – market best price with Ladbrokes.
Our Tip: Aberdeen to win – 2/7 at Coral
Hibs v Hamilton
Hibs fans have endured a difficult couple of weeks, with results falling way below the standards they deem acceptable. Manager Neil Lennon was sacked from his position and the club’s future remains unclear. They sit eighth in the pile, 14 points behind Aberdeen and the top-three, 17 better than Dundee and the relegation zone. That would suggest to us an uninspiring midtable finish is on the cards come the final count.
Confidence in the Ranks
The locals have lost four of their last five and each of their last two, with Hamilton losing three of five. The visitors followed three defeats on the bounce with a draw and picked up a rare win last time, ensuring they will travel with confidence. We’re sticking with the home side who will feel they have a point to prove to those who turn out in support. Back Hibs for the win at 2/5 (Bet365). Hamilton can’t be easily ignored at 15/2 (Bet365), a draw 10/3 with the same firm.
Our Tip: Hibs to win – 2/5 at Bet365
Livingston v Dundee
Livingston rate as the surprise package of the Scottish Premiership this season and they head into this home game with a record showing eight wins, seven draws and 10 defeats. The reality of playing top-flight football seems to be finally setting in and, following a fast start, they have slipped down the pecking order, picking up just one win from the last 15 available to them. The Lions sit ninth but the 31 points on the board should ensure they don’t trouble the relegation places.
A Home Win
The Lions did get a draw last time and have to be fancied to add a win to that when lining up against second from bottom Dundee, who have bagged just three victories so far this season. The Dark Blues are scrapping for survival but on Livi’s plastic pitch we’re taking the points to remain with the home side. Back Bet365’s 3/4 in your multiples. That makes more sense than risking Dundee at 19/5 (Ladbrokes), although we wouldn’t be in a rush to put you off the draw at 5/2 (Bet365) if that was your thinking.
Our Tip: Livingston to win – 3/4 at Bet365
Rangers v St Johnstone
Steven Gerrard has his Bears back in contention for the league title and they can cut Celtic’s lead to just three points with a home win over St Johnstone at Ibrox in a rare Saturday 3.00pm start for fans. The Gers returned from the winter break with a loss to Kilmarnock – despite taking the lead through Jermaine Defoe – but have won each of their three league games since. That hat-trick consists of a 3-0 away to Livingston, 4-0 at this venue vs St Mirren and 4-2 at Pittodrie last time out.
Seeing Red
Morelos played a starring role in that win, scoring his side’s first two goals, but he then found himself sent off on 57 minutes following a clash with McKenna, who also saw red. Aberdeen trailed 3-1 at the break, got it back to 3-2 with a Cosgrove penalty early in the second-half before Defoe rounded things off with a dramatic winner late in the day. The Englishman will be asked to lead the line during the suspension served by Morelos, but he knows enough to fill the gap. Rangers are worth adding to your accumulators at 3/10 (Bet365), the away win 17/2 (Ladbrokes), while a draw goes at 9/2 with Bet365.
Our Tip: Rangers to win – 3/10 at Bet365
Motherwell v Hearts
The first of two games on Sunday as an in-form Motherwell look to use home advantage to strengthen their claims for a top-six finish against a Jambos side with 10 more points on the board. Well arrive on the back of a stunning winning run that has seen them claim each of the last 15 points available. They smashed Livingston 3-0 when last on home soil and followed that with a 2-1 in Paisley when visiting St Mirren.
On a Run
Hearts are unbeaten in three, following wins over St Johnstone and Kilmarnock with a 0-0 at Tynecastle vs Livingston. Two sides with reason to believe they can win this fixture and that should make for an entertaining game. Take both to score for an interest at Coral’s 5/6. Motherwell is 9/5 second-favourites, against the 6/4 of Hearts, a draw 9/4 – all three prices quoted from the Bet365 website.
Our Tip: BTTS – 5/6 at Coral
Kilmarnock v Celtic
The last of our top Feb 16 Scottish Premiership betting tips is for Kilmarnock v Celtic. Game of the round and this is a match Kilmarnock simply must win if they are to hold onto any slim hopes they have of seriously challenging for the title. They do boast decent recent stats vs Celtic and will be encouraged by their opponents midweek Europa League strains. Those looking to take a chance on Steve Clarke’s men can back them at Ladbrokes’ 6/1. A bet for the value hunters.
Celtic are favourites with no more than 19/40 available, but there will be a few heavy legs in the dressing room on the back of a hectic schedule that has them playing for the third time in seven days. We’re happy to take a chance on an ambitious Kilmarnock blowing the title race wide open. A draw will net backers 10/3 (Bet365) if it comes good.
Our Tip: Kilmarnock for a shock win – 6/1 at Ladbrokes
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