Dundee v Hibs
The first of our Feb 23 Scottish Premiership betting tips is for Dundee v Hibs. The weekend gets off to a thrilling start at Dens Park on Friday night as Dundee and Hibs do battle over three Premiership points before the live BT Sport cameras. The home side show stats of four wins and six draws against 16 defeats and that leaves them on 18 points, level with Hamilton and the relegation zone, five better than bottom club St Mirren. There’s still time to turn things around before the end of the season but the dark blues must get a move on if they are to avoid a nervy finish. Three points at home against an unconvincing Hibees would certainly boost their chances but backers will find the Dundee cheer priced at 16/5 (Bet365), the outsider of three in the match betting.
Hibs have lost three and won two of their last five but did claim a maximum pay-out last time and will be confident of turning their season around and securing a top-six finish now they have a new manager in place. The Edinburgh club beat Raith in the Scottish Cup earlier this month before handing out a 2-0 beating to Hamilton last weekend. Kamberi broke the deadlock that day on 17 minutes, McNulty doubled from the spot before half-time. There was to be no further scoring but the job was completed before the interval, the form telling us Accies were dead and buried after going behind. Paul Heckingbottom made a winning start and told the press at full-time his players deserved it. Another for Hibs is priced 4/5 favourite (Bet365) and that’s our play. Worth a spot in accas.
Our Tip: Hibs to win – 4/5 at Bet365
Hearts v St Mirren
The other side of the Edinburgh divide play at home on Saturday as Hearts welcome 12th-placed St Mirren in a 3.00pm start. The Jambos stand fifth in the pile but remain in the hunt for a top-four finish and the Europa League qualification that comes with it. They have 43 points on the board, leaving them four behind Aberdeen with time on their side. The team lost only one of their last four but the spare did come last time out when ending on the wrong side of a 2-1 score with Motherwell. Naismith returned to scoring ways, but that goal was bettered by Hastie and a 93rd minute Turnbull winner when a draw looked to be on the cards. The home win is 8/15 with Coral.
St Mirren will be playing Championship football next season, unless we see some kind of footballing miracle from the Paisley club, arresting their slump and overturning the five-point deficit between themselves and Dundee. The Saints have taken just one point from the last 15 available to them, losing four on the bounce before holding on for a share of the spoils last time. A 2-2 finish with Aberdeen at Pittodrie shouldn’t be taken lightly and the struggling side went close to winning it before Cosgrove levelled things late in the day. Another share is 3/1 (Bet365), the away win as big as 6/1 in places. Keep this one simple and back Hearts.
Our Tip: Hearts to win – 8/15 at Coral
Livingston v Kilmarnock
Two sides used to playing their football on artificial surfaces, so Livingston won’t get the benefit they usually enjoy over opponents when running out at home. The Lions have lost four and drawn one of their last five, going down to Dundee last week in a surprise result, one that moved the victors out of the bottom-two. Livi had Byrne red-carded early in the match but took the lead through Halkett on 18 minutes. Second-half goals from Nelson and Wright turned the match on its head. Will the home side bounce back and steady the ship with a win in front of their own fans? 11/5 – top price at Ladbrokes – suggests not.
Away Day
Kilmarnock was fancied by many to push for second place behind Celtic this season, but they have been poor since returning from the winter break and haven’t won a match since beating Rangers at Rugby Park last month. Since that emphatic victory, the visitors have drawn two and lost two, beaten by Celtic last Sunday courtesy of a last-minute goal from Scott Brown, sparking a pitch invasion that resulted in a red card for the Scottish midfielder. The away win is favourite at 7/5 (Ladbrokes) but Killie have failed to score in their last two, so we’ll take a punt on the draw as a super single.
Our Tip: A draw – 12/5 at Bet365
St Johnstone v Aberdeen
This should be an entertaining match as two ambitious sides go on the attack. The Saints sit sixth in the table and are winless in their last five as they failed to carry their good form going into the winter break into the new year. They grabbed a draw with Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday after parking the bus and frustrating Gerrard’s side. Another level finish is 12/5 with Bet365, the home win the same price when shopping at Ladbrokes.
A Bad Run
The Dons go into the weekend third in the division and travel on the back of an uninspiring run of form that has seen them manage just two wins from their last five. The same period shows a couple of draws and a defeat and it’s that inconsistency that should cost them a silver medal this term. They’ve taken a point from the last six on the table, playing out a disappointing 2-2 with St Mirren a week ago. Aberdeen is 6/5 at Coral but we’re taking a chance on both teams to score at 21/10 (Bet365) a bet for your accumulators.
Our Tip: BTTS – 21/10 at Bet365
Hamilton v Rangers
The last of our Feb 23 Scottish Premiership betting tips is for Hamilton v Rangers. The Gers are expected to get over their travel sickness to secure an away win at New Douglas Park. Accies are second-bottom of the table and have the threat of relegation hanging over them. Rangers continue to huff and puff their way through this season and this will be their second outing of the week but we’re backing them to get the points in this live on TV match. The away win drops into accas at 1/4 (Coral).
Our Tip: Rangers to win – 1/4 at Coral
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