Celtic v Hamilton
The first of our Jan 26 Scottish Premiership betting tips takes us to Celtic v Hamilton. The Scottish Premiership returned from its winter break in midweek and we now have another round of fixtures scheduled to take place over the course of Saturday and Sunday as teams battle for points at both ends of the table. Going into the rest period, champions Celtic knew they had a challenge on their hands with bitter rivals Rangers sitting level on 42 points as Steven Gerrard aims to break Brendan Rodgers’ dominance of the division. Only three points stood between the leaders and Aberdeen down in fourth and this rates as one of the most competitive renewals in a generation, certainly at this point of the season.
The locals signed-off for 2018 with a painful defeat at Ibrox when falling to a 1-0 reverse, courtesy of a goal from Ryan Jack. It was Rangers’ day in the sun but everyone in green and white hoops will be determined to hold it together and fire back, proving the battle was lost but the war is far from over. Celtic look to have a great chance to bag all three points in front of their own fans when hosting lowly Hamilton and there won’t be too many followers of the division going against the home win. Bookies set-up in support of the Glasgow side and there’s no surprise to see Celtic start as strong favourites to land the desired result.
Accies Must Play their Ace
Hamilton faces the unenviable task of walking into the lion’s den and facing a defending champion coming in on the back of a much-needed rest and feeling they have a point to prove. It’ll be interesting to see how the visitors set-up as they look to get any crumb of comfort from this game. Sit back and defend and we’ve seen already Celtic have the patience and firepower to hurt them. Go on the attack and they could ruffle a few feathers but could also leave themselves open to a humiliating beating that would stamp all over any confidence in the dressing room. It’s a real poser but one Accies have to get right.
Hamilton went into the week sitting down in 10th, one place and two points better than St Mirren and the relegation zone. They will spend the majority of the second half of the season glancing over their shoulder, hoping the Paisley club and fellow strugglers Dundee continue to drop points. Accies have taken just one point from the last 15 available to them, their run during that drought reading loss-loss-draw-loss-loss. That does nothing to inspire confidence amongst backers hoping to find a bit of value in the away win and we expect Hamilton to be close to friendless in the betting ring on match day.
Dig Deep for Value
Celtic are favourites and fully deserve to be. Here we have a title favourite in with a team battling against the drop and carrying a woeful run of form. Yes, The Bhoys have lost two of their last five going into the week but they look in no danger of causing further damage in front of their own support. They will win this match, but we can’t back them as odds compilers trade no more than 1/8 (Bet365). Too small, even for stacked accumulators. The draw is next in line at 9/1 with an away day yours at a stunning 33/1 – best price with Coral.
That means we must dig deep for our share of the value and rummage around in the specials markets. Celtic are fully rested and raring to go. We’re backing an easy afternoon’s work and will have our stake money on Celtic winning to nil at 4/6, market best price with Bet365. Again, not an eye-catching price but there’s enough there to merit a place in your multiples and it should come good without too much hassle.
Our Tip: Celtic to win to nil – 4/6 at Bet365
Livingston v Rangers
The other of our Jan 26 Scottish Premiership betting tips is for Livingston v Rangers. Livingston is back on their own plastic pitch and will be hoping to make use of the tricky conditions to cause another upset at home. The Lions have been impressive this season and that has been a result of hard work, tough tactics and that infamous surface that has caused the Scottish game a bit of embarrassment already this season with calls for artificial playing surfaces to be banned, kept for training fields and youth football.
It’ll be interesting to see how that campaign goes, but in the meantime, The Lions will be happy to continue using it to level the playing field against sides like Rangers and Celtic. They beat The Gers here earlier in the season and bookies have Livingston priced at a cracking 5/1 – best at Bet365 – to repeat the feat. That’ll catch the eye of a few value hunters who see the use in having a pop at that one for interest stakes. That’s a quote that’ll certainly help spark interest in this Sunday afternoon kick-off under the bright lights.
Gerrard Wants Improvement
Steven Gerrard’s Rangers side were impressive for long periods of the first half of the season but they drew more games than any other side in the top-six and many of those points came from a winning position. The Gers were beaten up here last time and that result would’ve stuck in their throat with all connected to the Govan club desperate to right the wrongs of that day. Rangers are title challengers at present but have to find consistency if they are to be taken seriously.
Traders expect the visitors to learn a few lessons and get the revenge they so desperately crave in what will be an action-packed week of road trips. Winning at Ibrox has come naturally to them but the away form needs addressing and we’re sure the coaching staff would’ve spent time doing just that during their warm-weather training camp in Tenerife. Fancy the away day? Be sure to back Rangers at Unibet as they are offering a market best price of 5/8, with most of the competition going 4/7 on the same outcome.
Our Tip: Rangers to win – 5/8 at Unibet
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