SPL - 18/19th August

[crowie]

Thursday evening and no SPL thread, terrible



18 Aug 15:00 Dundee Utd v Hibernian 2.70 3.20 2.30
18 Aug 15:00 Hearts v Gretna 1.40 4.00 6.50
18 Aug 15:00 Motherwell v Kilmarnock 2.30 3.20 2.70
18 Aug 15:00 Rangers v Falkirk 1.20 5.50 10.00
18 Aug 15:00 St Mirren v Inverness CT 2.25 3.25 2.75

19 Aug 14:00 Aberdeen v Celtic 4.33 3.40 1.80

[MickeyPaul]

I thought it was up. I got a bit confused as I noticed some were up but couldn't find the Premiership thread anywhere so I did that and the CCC thinking that was them all done. Sorry.

[crowie]

Bet that interests me most in the SPL this weekend is same as last weekend, Rangers -1.5.

Falkirk had a great start to the SPL with that win at Gretna (Motherwell) and had a great start to the 2nd game with an early goal v Celtic. They were pretty evenly matched with Celtic for most of that 1st half but in the second half, when playmaker 38 year old (and about 40 fags a day) Latapy's legs started going Celtic totally over ran them. Its no problem when your legs go and your 3-0 v the divisions whipping boys but not when your playing Celtic..or Rangers.

Have seen a fair bit of Rangers this season on the telly and Smith is putting a strong squad together after last years horror show (for 1st 6 months of the season). The central midfield looks very good. Both Thomson and Hemdani can sit and dictate play and cover the defence which has gave a new lease of life to Barry Ferguson. He is playing much further forward than he has done in season. The last time he had this sort of freedom in the Rangers midfield with other players doing the dirty work he got 19 goals in a season (2002/3). He already has 3 in 2 league games this season.

Smith has also added up front so that Kris Boyd, who hasnae kicked a ball all season and has been terrible so far, is no longer the sole source of goals. Darcheville has come in from Bordeaux, all speed and strength and fight. He will get goals. The other signing up front he made last weekend was Gabon international Daniel Cousin from Lens. He made a brief appearance last Saturday, and scored, as well as 20 mins v Red Star midweek where he looked pacey, strong, big and had a shot like a fucking rocket. He will get goals.

So Smith now has choices in midfield and up front. He has also tightened the defence this season, they haven't conceded in 3 European games, 2 league games and the friendly v Chelsea. The Spanish lad Ceullar looks a good signing, very solid, and Davie Weir is hardly putting a foot wrong beside him.


All in, Rangers look strong this season and the team is starting to gel. So with the handicap -1.5 we need Rangers to win by a couple. It took them until the 80th minute last weekend to get the 2nd but although they were never really in danger of conceding, a 1 goal lead is never that comfortable late on. I think this game could go the same as the Celtic game in that Rangers will eventually over power a Falkirk side who plays nice football. I can see this handicap moving to -1.75 by the weekend, a few books are already there.


Rangers -1.5 at 1.86 with Canbet

[crowie]

Originally Posted by MickeyPaul

I thought it was up. I got a bit confused as I noticed some were up but couldn't find the Premiership thread anywhere so I did that and the CCC thinking that was them all done. Sorry.

Shame on you Mickey Paul. Ya fanny

[crowie]

Anyway, rest of the SPL.

Dundee Utd were harshly done by the ref on Monday night and could have been sitting on 6pts if it wasn't for the bad decision. Hibs have gave them a couple of thumpings in recent years at Tannadice but this is a weaker Hibs side (IMO) and Utd do seem to be getting their act together under Levein.

A leave alone at the moment but may consider laying Hibs. One of my Hibs mates said they were pretty rotten v Gretna and it was just lucky they ran into such a piss poor team otherwise they would have never won.

Interesting to see that Betsafe and Stan James go 2.38/2.40 Utd and 2.75 Hibs where as Chandlers go 2.70 Utd and 2.30 Hibs. Even the bookies don't know with this one.


I am sort of half considering Hearts -1.25. Gretna have lost 8 goals in 2 games and by all accounts the capitulation to Hibs, when it eventually happened, was almost as bad as the Falkirk loss.

Whats putting me off at present is Hearts don't look like they have hit form. They were shocking in the derby v Hibs, totally lacking up front. By all accounts the Aberdeen game was a poor one and neither side really looked decent. The bonus for Hearts is that after shipping him off to Lithuania, their top scorer Velicka is back, played v Aberdeen, and should strengthen them. The lad they had up front v Hibs was poor but to be fair he had no support and delivery to him was poor.

Will think about this one, only problem with Hearts is you don't know who half the players are nowadays and Vlad Romanov would make Benitez look like Mr Consistent when it comes to team selections. Ohh and they have another new manager. No idea who he is, whats he called, its not worth looking as it means nothing being Hearts manager nowadays.



Motherwell v Killie - bookies have this as a "pickem", its a leave alone for me. Totally. Killie put in a good performance at Celtic but by all accounts weren't getting anywhere v Dundee Utd Monday night. Well sit on 6 points but have probably played 2 of the 3 weakest teams and needed a last min penalty to beat ICT last weekend. Defo a no bet here.

Likewise St Mirren v ICT, nowt much to say on that, two poor sides facing each other. St Mirren still to score this season, ICT have 1. No surprise to see the unders short for this one but I imagine they were priced similarly in last weekends Well v ICT game which was still 0-0 after 80+ mins and finished 2-1.


Celtic at Aberdeen - 1.90 Celtic away from home not v Rangers. Christ I am tempted by that.

We didn't put up a great show v Killie at home on the opening day and for 45 mins were matched by Falkirk last Saturday. But the 2nd 45 mins was a good performance from Celtic as we over ran their midfield and created a good few chances while playing some nice football. Confidence will also be up after the 1-1 in Moscow in midweek, a good result on an artificial pitch in very stifling conditions. Scott MacDonald got a start v Spartak after being suspended for the opening 2 league games and put in a decent performance. This was on the back of Kenny Miller putting in a good display last Saturday at Falkirk. One of them should partner JVOH, Miller missed the Moscow game through a slight hamstring strain however so maybe it will be defaulted to MacDonald.

Aberdeen have a decent rep at home these days, not many teams take points from Pittodrie but Celtic have a good recent record up there

last 6 results of this fixture
Scottish Premier Aberdeen 1-2 Celtic 17-02-2007
Scottish Premier Aberdeen 0-1 Celtic 09-09-2006
Scottish Premier Aberdeen 2-2 Celtic 07-05-2006
Scottish Premier Aberdeen 1-3 Celtic 04-12-2005
Scottish Premier Aberdeen 0-1 Celtic 16-01-2005
Scottish Premier Aberdeen 1-3 Celtic 24-01-2004

The last Dons win was in Dec 2001.

I would be hesitant to back Celtic here but we do seem to be starting to click this season and the opposite can be said for Aberdeen. Struggling and eventually losing to a Dundee Utd side who played with 10 men for an hour on the opening day, being slightly the better side v Hearts in a poor game last weekend.

Ahh fck it, 1.90 at Nordicbet will do for me, Celtic can't afford to drop further behind Rangers this early with Rangers having a practical "gimme" on Saturday so will take that price.

[VacheronLim]

excellent write-up crowie, u've convinced me with celtic and rangers, then again i guess tis is the general betting trend in scottish premier isn't it? rangers definitely look much betta than in the previous season, and early season they'll wanna stay ahead of celtic, rangers on the handicap, celtic on the fixed odds will do the trick...hopefully

[Beanie]

Quick thoughts...will do them properly tomorrow.

DU v Hibs...tricky proposition this...DU do look like a tough nut to crack this season - sendings off in both games so far but otherwise playing well and looking well organised. Hibs as always are a bit hit and miss...2.75 with Stan James which is probably a shade to high for that lay you mention crowie IMO. Stay away at the mo.

Hearts v Gretna...I'm looking at Hearts here too - I'd agree with the toothless up front point but I actually think that they are playing some nice football at times in the middle of the park, and that given the chance to play they will be able to put together a good performance. Berra and Velicka back are big plus points, Banks is good enough to soften the blow of losing Gordon, and Michael Stewart looks like he's ready to work hard this season. Good goal v Aberdeen and seems to be able to hold together what would otherwise be a disjointed side. I think I'll be on the handicap as Hearts have had a tough couple of opening games where they haven't had much chance to open up and play, and in those situations their shedloads of random foreigners don't look up for a fight. Different type of game on Saturday and I think class will tell. -1.25 or -1.5 for me.

Motherwell v Killie - yeah, no point wasting time, not a clue.

Rangers v Falkirk - handicap looks a reasonable shout.

Aberdeen v Celtic - Celtic price surprising altho midweek trip to moscow(as good as that result was) could be tough...always mean to check out old firm record after midweek euro away ties...will get round to it tomorrow.

Looks an ok week tho

[crowie]

Originally Posted by Beanie

Hearts v Gretna...I'm looking at Hearts here too - I'd agree with the toothless up front point but I actually think that they are playing some nice football at times in the middle of the park, and that given the chance to play they will be able to put together a good performance. Berra and Velicka back are big plus points

I am 99% certain that Kingston is now free of suspension too, sure his initial 3 games was knocked down to 2. He was certainly one of Hearts better players in the 2nd half of last season. Him added to Stewart in midfield would be a decent central pairing. Then again, you have no idea with Hearts if they will start him

[fasteddy]

Disagree on the Hearts game.

I can see Gretna going for glory with another attacking line up ,and the home side still can't decide who their best XI will be...not surprising when you see the size of their squad...was there a fire sale somewhere?..oh, yeah, Lithuania.

Once they settle they might just be a sound bunch but who can predict when , and if, that will happen.

For me , as bad as Gretna have played at times in the opening two games, they are no worse than a dishevelled Hearts XI!
I really facny them to score as well, so offers of 9.00 sportingbet are worth a punt. Why not?
Two matches in and little to go on, yet Gretna managed to do what many had failed in the previous 2 months...get it past big Yves MM...give them some credit for finding the net...Hearts tried but failed at it.!

Handicap bets and some outrights at the prices on offer are well worth it, IMO. Bets on Hearts at ridiculously low odds are based solely on 'hope' or 'prior reputation'....and to me that's madness.

Yes, they may knock 6 past them, but what's been seen so far doesn't provide any basis for them doing that...2 games / 1 goal!
Gretna have shipped 8 in 2 games..yes, but they have also scored twice against a Hibs side that were being touted as the 'real deal' pre season and after the derby win...not consolation goals, but they took it to Hibs..'poor' as Collin's men may have been at the start.

Value...VALUE!!!!!!

[Beanie]

Originally Posted by fasteddy

Bets on Hearts at ridiculously low odds are based solely on 'hope' or 'prior reputation'....and to me that's madness.

Not quite eddy - as I said its based on having watched both Hearts games and thinking they were actually playing some good football in the midfield...they didn't play well against Hibs as they created next to nothing but again they were controlling the ball nicely in the midfield, which I thought they did again against Aberdeen, again without creating too much. I'd put that down to playing against a couple of well organised sides, which Gretna don't look at the moment. With key players back(Berra, Velicka, Kingston(knew there was one I was forgetting)) there will be no more that 2 or 3 Lithuanians in there, and more than likely atleast 9 out of the 11 will have been at the club last season, and so given the chance to play by a hard working but poor Gretna side we are far far more likely to see the upside of a team that I do admit is hit and miss. We'll prob have to agree to disagree on this but I'll be taking the handicap on Hearts, but not just on hope or prior reputation

[crowie]

Originally Posted by fasteddy

Disagree on the Hearts game.

I can see Gretna going for glory with another attacking line up ,and the home side still can't decide who their best XI will be...not surprising when you see the size of their squad...was there a fire sale somewhere?..oh, yeah, Lithuania.

Once they settle they might just be a sound bunch but who can predict when , and if, that will happen.

For me , as bad as Gretna have played at times in the opening two games, they are no worse than a dishevelled Hearts XI!
I really facny them to score as well, so offers of 9.00 sportingbet are worth a punt. Why not?
Two matches in and little to go on, yet Gretna managed to do what many had failed in the previous 2 months...get it past big Yves MM...give them some credit for finding the net...Hearts tried but failed at it.!

Handicap bets and some outrights at the prices on offer are well worth it, IMO. Bets on Hearts at ridiculously low odds are based solely on 'hope' or 'prior reputation'....and to me that's madness.

Yes, they may knock 6 past them, but what's been seen so far doesn't provide any basis for them doing that...2 games / 1 goal!
Gretna have shipped 8 in 2 games..yes, but they have also scored twice against a Hibs side that were being touted as the 'real deal' pre season and after the derby win...not consolation goals, but they took it to Hibs..'poor' as Collin's men may have been at the start.

Value...VALUE!!!!!!

Hearts haven't really been dishevelled in their two games, have been solid defensively (Hibs didn't really have many chances v them after the goal) and ok in midfield, just lacking in creativity v Hibs especially.

This can be explained by Tall playing a holding role in midfield v Hibs (when he is a right back or centre half), sitting too deep and not really combining with Stewart who had a lot to do in the centre on his own. This won't be as big an issue with either Palazuelos, the Spanish lad who is a midfielder, or Kingston back in.

The Hibs game also didn't prove too good a game to play a lad (Besuinius??) up front on his own, pump high balls to him, while having him marked by 6ft 7 Rob Jones. When I described Hearts as shocking in my initial post on the game I should have explained that that was my opinion of them attacking wise, the defence mainly did its job.


Taking their two results so far, yes the Hibs game was a loss but it was an evenish game, Hearts just didn't create much. A draw up at Aberdeen who are solid themselves is also not a bad result. I would put these two on much the same level and slightly above Hibs in terms of where I think they will finish this season.


I would also wonder what papers you were reading if you have seen Hibs labelled as the "real deal" in the lead up to this season. Most Hibees I know were worried about this season as there was more ship outs (Brown, Killen, Stewart, Whittaker, Sproule) who all played parts last season, some major, and they were all replaced with virtual unknowns, Brian Kerr apart, and youngsters from the reserves.

Don't know if you have seen the Hibs Gretna highlights but my mate who was at the game couldn't emphasise enough how badly Gretna fell to bits in that game. He did say the front two looked decent (McMenamin, Yantorno) but he did think they were a very poor side overall. They have a new French lad in defence this week who is expected to play and by comments I have heard, they need him badly. The 20 year old they have in goals has only ever started one other senior game for them in his career.


I appreciate we all have different opinions, thats what places like this are all about, for exchanging them, but I don't think there is much value in Gretna, even at 9.0 based on what we have seen so far this season. GL anyway Eddy, if your punt comes in I will to your greater knowledge

[fasteddy]

Crowie and Beanie....you are both far better judges than myself when it comes to the SPL, and I treat both your analyses as the Word of God...you are tops in my book....

and yes, I admit to having only seen the Hearts/Hibs game, and nothing of the Gretna one. But I did read a good few reports and yes there wasn't high praise on their capitulation.

I'm paraphrasing what was an ever increasing consensus with Hibs pre season as they played to good results. Then the opening win over Hearts only served to reinforce that. Did anyone actually use 'the real deal'..no, but I'm sure you get my drift. They were on a definite upward curve and local scribes and fans were buzzing a bit, although obviously not all of them.

Hearts.....Beanie...you have seen first hand the matches as have some of my Jambo mates, and you'll not be surprised to know that there are different perspectives on the way they played. Many agree with your comments while others would have had more praise.

As a neutral I think that they appear to be a long way off finding their mojo, and as such ( as I said in my post) they are look quite vulnerable, and taking into account the return of key players , (is that not an added hassle for he team to adjust to yet again?) merit a punt against at the odds on offer.

Versus Aberdeen they had 54% possession , 3 shots on goal, and accrued 5 yellows. Aberdeen managed 5 shots on goal and 1 yellow. I read that as a side ,as you say, who aren't making the most of the ball, but which are also getting a bit frustrated into the bargain, or maybe just struggling to read each other's game, or just ill disciplined. That's a heck of an amount of yellow for a midweek game.

Robbie Neilson is already 2 for 2 games....one of the more experienced defenders, and yet he's already just under half way to matching last season's total of 5. Playing under pressure does that to a player.


Regardless it's a sign to me of a side that still has a lot to do. So how can a case be made to support them based on their performances so far?
I don't think it can .....BUT what can be done , and is, is to make a case for NOT supporting Gretna...and that is a different kettle o'fish.

"Gretna are so bad there is only the option to support Hearts"...if this is what you mean then ok.....I can agree wiht your view.
But I honestly fail to see the grounds for Hearts meriting support as by far the better team.
Remember last season in the Cup?.....have things changed so much for the better at Tynecastle in terms of quality?..Have Gretna gotten worse?

What you have both SEEN has merely been filtered through your bias/unbiased eyes...I put a lot of faith in reading a wide range of reports both professional and fan based, so I do consider to have a pretty good idea of what has taken place. Nothing has put forth praise for the current crop or situation at Hearts , but a lot of agreement is on the potential if it all comes together.

Gretna have inexperienced keppers and the rest, with a dodgy defence , but even Yogi said that he didn't feel the scoreline was a fair reflection in what was an open end to end game with Gretna having their share of chances.
That's the thing with them, for me, if they are at least getting into positions to score then there's always a shout!

I love this kind of debate, and am now smashing the ball back into your respective courts!

[crowie]

Ok, prepare to have service returned, will counter on some points you made

First off I will admit, I am opposing Gretna rather than backing Hearts here.

Hearts have had two hard games against teams who should finish roundabout them, Gretna have played one of those sides and also been thumped by a team who could be top half, could be bottom half.

Yes, they had chances against both sides, Falkirk's killer 3rd was scored after a great double save from Krul and the ball going right up the park and Falkirk making them pay. They took a couple of chances v Hibs but fell apart once they conceded.

The difference is in previous season Gretna could miss these and it wouldn't matter, other chances would come, and they would eventually win. This season they are playing better sides, chances will be less and if they don't take them they will be punished as their defence at the moment seems all over the place.

Originally Posted by fasteddy

I'm paraphrasing what was an ever increasing consensus with Hibs pre season as they played to good results. Then the opening win over Hearts only served to reinforce that. Did anyone actually use 'the real deal'..no, but I'm sure you get my drift. They were on a definite upward curve and local scribes and fans were buzzing a bit, although obviously not all of them.

Yep, get your point on this. I was surprised, giving who had left, about Hibs results v Bolton and Boro. I still think the general opinion from those I know who watch them was "don't really know what to expect this season" but have to admit they have fared better than I expected they would, early on at least.

Originally Posted by fasteddy

Hearts.....Beanie...you have seen first hand the matches as have some of my Jambo mates, and you'll not be surprised to know that there are different perspectives on the way they played. Many agree with your comments while others would have had more praise.

As a neutral I think that they appear to be a long way off finding their mojo, and as such ( as I said in my post) they are look quite vulnerable, and taking into account the return of key players , (is that not an added hassle for he team to adjust to yet again?) merit a punt against at the odds on offer.

Re Jambo mates - sometimes they will be too "close" to the team, especially after a derby defeat with a disappointing performance to make sound neutral betting judgement.

I would agree, as a neutral, that they are not performing as they are capable off but their performances have been competent IMO in most aspects bar up front.

Originally Posted by fasteddy

Versus Aberdeen they had 54% possession , 3 shots on goal, and accrued 5 yellows. Aberdeen managed 5 shots on goal and 1 yellow. I read that as a side ,as you say, who aren't making the most of the ball, but which are also getting a bit frustrated into the bargain, or maybe just struggling to read each other's game, or just ill disciplined. That's a heck of an amount of yellow for a midweek game.

Robbie Neilson is already 2 for 2 games....one of the more experienced defenders, and yet he's already just under half way to matching last season's total of 5. Playing under pressure does that to a player.

Sorry for me being a pedantic fucker but the Aberdeen game was a Sunday, not midweek.

5 yellows wouldn't concern me, it shows fight and commitment in a game against one of your main rivals for Europe. Neilson's 2 cards don't concern me. I would almost be disappointed if my captain didn't get a yellow in the derby game Two yellows in two games against your closest rivals league placing wise, not a lot to concern me. Plus Neilson is a bit of a bawbag!!

Originally Posted by fasteddy

"Gretna are so bad there is only the option to support Hearts"...if this is what you mean then ok.....I can agree wiht your view.
But I honestly fail to see the grounds for Hearts meriting support as by far the better team.
Remember last season in the Cup?.....have things changed so much for the better at Tynecastle in terms of quality?..Have Gretna gotten worse?

The Cup final was 2 years ago Eddy, last seasons was Celtic v Dunfermline. Gretna were 2nd Div Champs that season and did indeed run a good Hearts side close in the final. Both sides have changed since then, Hearts have lost some good players but look at the Gretna side then

Gretna: Main ,Birch ,Townsley ,Innes ,Nicholls, (Graham 55), McGuffie ,Tosh ,O'Neil ,Skelton ,Grady ,Deuchar (McQuilken ,103)
Subs not used Mathieson,Berkeley,Henderson,

And the Gretna side last weekend

Gretna: Fleming ,Barr ,Osman (Paartalu ,88 ) ,Innes ,Grainger ,Graham (Baldacchino ,80 ) ,Murray ,Jenkins ,Skelton ,McMenamin (Deuchar ,69 ) ,Yantorno
Subs not used Mathieson,McLaren,McGill,Deverdics

Only Innes (2 seasons older, now 31) and Skelton remain. Players such as Main, Nicholls, Tosh, O'Neil and Grady were good solid pro's and the backbone of that side which dominated at the level they were playing at and were high on confidence from winning football. Grady and Deuchar are both still there but are no longer first choices.

I mentioned in one of the earlier thread that you could see Gretna were going to struggle this season. Basically the money seemed to run out last season, they won promotion with the last kick of the ball in the season having already shipped some of the more expensive, but better, players. They stuttered into the SPL.

So in summary, while Hearts are weaker since the cup final I also think Gretna are much weaker. Would also say the cup final was obviously a one off event on a neutral ground with Gretna having nothing to lose, this is a league game.


Finally, I notice Hearts are roughly the same price (1.44ish or shorter) than the best price they were for the cup final. I thought at the time that price was way wrong, way too big. Both sides are weaker for this game, Gretna no longer have the winning run confidence but will be developing a losing run mentality with the goals they are conceding and this is on Hearts ground.

Overall I think all that makes Hearts worth a punt and I am happy to take them/oppose Gretna on the AH based on Gretnas defensive displays this season.

[WeegieDave]

Tbh, I can't really add much to the debate going on in here about this weeks SPL. Cracking insights so far from Beanie, Crowie and Fasteddy.

I'll be watching this weekends game closely and hopefully 3 games will see me get back to doing the reporty things I was posting last season and hopefully helping to get some winners for us all.

Quick (quick) thoughts on the SPL;

Dundee Utd v Hibs - Hibs playing well but Dundee Utd have impressed me with how much more organised and committed they have looked compared to previous seasons. Can see Hibs losing their 100% record, but very close to call on whether it would be 2 or 3 points dropped. NO BET FOR ME.

Motherwell v Killie - My Well supporting mate admits he is unaccustomed to what he is seeing at Fir Park these days. Passing football, good moves, goals, fighting back from 1 goal down....... . He also said that games against Killie are completely unpredictable. Think the last 2 at Fir Park have been a 5-0 to Well and a 0-1 to Killie, kinda proving his point. ANOTHER NO BET GAME.

Rangers v Falkirk - Rangers boss W.Smith doing what he does best when in charge of Rangers and building a team from the back and looking at firstly not conceding goals. The creativity in the team has been a bit sporadic, for every Inverness game theres been a Crvena Zvezda etc and we lack that one creative genius his teams seemed to have (Gazza, Laudrup etc). St Mirren passed around us first half and never let us near them and Falkirk could be a better version of this this weekend, esp. if chain-smoking Latapys lungs don't collapse a la Celtic. Anyway, last 3 games at Ibrox have been (oldest first) 2-2, 4-0 and 2-1, so I'm not totally confident on the AH -1.5 although it is doable if they play well. Good record overall at home to Falkirk so possibly good accy material.

St Mirren v ICT - Might not end up as such, but this game absolutely reeks of a draw, to me anyway. If not 0-0 or 1-1, v.good chance of a 1-0 either way. In fact, of the last 6 games the result has been 1-1 twice, 0-0 and 1-0 once and 2-1 twice. At Love St though its been 0-0, 1-1 and 0-1 in the last 3 games so Unders seems a cert in this one. Still don't fancy a bet though. NO BET.

Hearts v Gretna - Hearts haven't hit top form yet and Gretna seem to fold quicker than a Blackpool deckchair in a force 10 gale (started off well in both games against Falkirk and Hibs then died a horrible, horrible death). Hearts should probably take this game as their first win but I'm not overly confident on it. Have to confess that the 9.00 Fasteddy noted for Gretna to score is very, very tempting. As mentioned before, they did get off to extremely good starts in their previous 2 games but they would have do what they did at Hibs and get the first goal because if they didn't, the heads would go down and they'd struggle to get back into the game. Yantorno esp. in the Falkirk game seemed to be everywhere up front for Gretna and had chances before they conceded. NO BET AGAIN, although tempted on Gretna to score @ 9.00

Aberdeen v Celtic (Sunday) - Aberdeen unlucky to lose to Utd in the first week and played decently enough v Hearts, but they seem to be missing their ex-skipper Anderson at the back, with Considine and Diamond not able to step into his role just yet. Celtic just back from Russia midweek and they have struggled before coming back from CL games but Wed-Sun should be plenty of time for recovery in order to continue their impressive form against Aberdeen in recent years. See one goal in it, but probably for Celtic imo. CELTIC WIN.

Heres to a good weekends SPL betting.

[crowie]

Originally Posted by WeegieDave

Have to confess that the 9.00 Fasteddy noted for Gretna to score is very, very tempting.

The 9.00 ain't for Gretna to score mate, its for them to win.

Can see where you have picked it up from

I really facny them to score as well, so offers of 9.00 sportingbet are worth a punt. Why not?

But I think Eddy is saying he can see Gretna scoring so therefore the 9.00 on the away win is worth a punt. Unless Sporting are offering 9.00 Gretna to score in which case I would be having some too

Expekt are the only book I can see quoting a "To Score" market on Oddschecker for this one and its 1.68 Gretna to score but its a poorly priced market as the odds on Gretna not to score are 2.05, where as the reciprocal price is 2.47, giving a pishy 108% book on a 2 outcome market. No thanks.