Scottish Premier League - 13th/14th August

[Beanie]

Nonsense...blethering away to my self is what I like best.



Hibs v Livi

Hibs

1 point from their first two games is hardly the way last years 3rd best side would have envisaged their season starting, but the results don't tell the whole story.

Against Dunfermline, they were reduced to 10 men through the loss of young midfielder Scott Brown, and yet still went on to claw back an equaliser, and in truth should have gone on to win. Next up was the Edinburgh derby, and although the 4-0 scoreline gives a clear indication of who were much the better side, its worth bearing in mind that Hibs didn't have their best player for much of the game, were against what is a super-strong Hearts side, and were'nt out of the match until midway through the second half when they lost a silly penalty.

For Saturday, they have talisman Riordan back in the side, as well as the energetic Brown. With the full compliment of 11, and away from the derby atmosphere of last Sunday, the attacking dimension of the side should be in good shape.

Its worth noting their defensive problems, where after having lost Ian Murray have now seen Caldwell sidelined for months, but the key there lies in the attacking lineup of the team they are facing, but more about that later.

Livingston

Livingston's game against Rangers gave few clues as to how good the West Lothian side were this season, as games against the Old Firm seldom do.

However, last week's game against Falkirk was an eye opener for all at the club. Despite limited Falkirk to few clear cut opportunities, the newly promoted side were clinical with the chances they had. Livingston on the other hand created little, and those chances that they did muster were very poorly finished by the strikers, with young James McPake missing from 5 yards.

And thats where the problems lie. Having lost most of their strikeforce last season, the remaining youngster McPake and Snodgrass don't have the quality or experience to be prolific scorers. And the signing of Pereira and Adams, neither of which has ever been a goalgetter, have left the side struggling to find someone to give them a fighting chance of survival.

And with the signing of Fernandez falling through this week, there's nothing to suggest that the side will be any more clinical than they were last week. And with the defence still carrying passengers like Greg Strong, a Hibs team should have plenty joy with little threat at the back.

Livingston have a surprisingly good record at Easter Road, but I don't think there has ever been a big a gap as there is just now.

------------------------------------

5pts Hibs @ 1.72 with Coral.

[zonker84]

Seen the injury to Caldwell, and it probably won't help Hibs (obviously!).

Over 2.5 goals for that one possibly Beanie?

[Beanie]

Hmmm...wouldn't be convinced - Livi aren't gonna be a great help for it.

2-0 looks likely to me.

[kompressaur]

Mr Fixit

In the SPL, it's impossible to see Celtic slipping up at home to Falkirk.

Gordon Strachan's men look back on track after their farcical opening games and you've got to fancy the Hoops at 4-5 minus two goals with Hill. Falkirk are 2-1 plus two9-1 plus one and 16-1 to win with VCBet.

Rangers' confidence will be high but their energy levels could have dropped after tricky trips to Inverness and Cyprus. Both resulted in one-goal wins and there could be a repeat at Aberdeen tomorrow.

The Dons have made a stuttering start to the season and don't look to have too many goals in them so take Rangers at 4-9 with Stan James. Aberdeen, 4-6 plus two goals with Hill, will be backed by home fans.

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/

[Bigkegman]

It's my turn for the woks syndicate bet and i've thrown in both Hibs and Hearts.

But for my own (small stakes) after reading all the great stuff posted abouve I've opted for Inverness @ 7/4 and Motherwell @ 11/5.

Correct Beanie i mentioned Livie where is should have been ICT. Thing with Motherwell is that if they can score 4 against Celtic then they should create chances against Kilie - no wait are Killie's defense that poor ?

Anyway good enough for me. Here are my predictions for this week.

Celtic 4 v Falkirk 0
Dunf 1 v ICT 3
Hibs 2 v Livvie 1
Killie 1 v Motherwell 2
Aberdeen 1 v Rangers 3
Dundee Utd 0 v Hearts 3

http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/sportscotland/predictor

sign up for anybody who hasn't

[Bigkegman]

sorry Beanie for posting the above on your thread but it might get more people join.

League name is The Daily Punt

Password is hnw6itbc

[crowie]

Beanie,

Is the Corals price you quote a shop coupon price? Its just that online they have been 1.60 since Wednesday.

Like you though I like Hibs and the 1.67 at Laddies will do for me. Caldwell will be replaced by Dutch defender Humphrey Rudge and I am prepared to give Hibs another chance despite 1 point from the 2 opening games. They should have beaten Dunfermline even with 10 men and I do believe the scoreline last week flattered Hearts.


I am also covering stakes in the Dunfermline v ICT game with a punt on the draw at 3.30 with Expekt.

[Beanie]

I lifted the price from Oddschecker last night as I wasn't putting the bet on then.

Although the online price looks like 1.67 to me(4/6) at the moment.

[Beanie]

Originally Posted by Bigkegman

no wait are Killie's defense that poor ?

Yes.



Actually I'm not sure. They were hopeless v Hearts, and while they only conceded one scrambled goal to Aberdeen they seemed to ride their luck a lot. And I don't think it will help that they will be expected to come out and attack a bit v Motherwell.

[gizmo65]

well i think hearts r going 2 stuff united.i seem 2 remember them(united) struggling against hearts for a few seasons now.

[kompressaur]

Who mentioned Killie? I reckon Motherwell are gonna sneak it. Its another one i like the over in. See it being 2-1 either way. Bet365 go 1.95 on the over 2.5.

[crowie]

Originally Posted by Beanie

I lifted the price from Oddschecker last night as I wasn't putting the bet on then.

Although the online price looks like 1.67 to me(4/6) at the moment.

Now there is something thats surprised me a lot Beanie.

Have a look at this site Coral (?) Eurobet and the SPL. They have Hibs at 1.60 while the Coral.co.uk site has them at 1.67 like you say. I always thought Coral (?) Eurobet was just Coral's. Obviously not, or maybe they are but not the same prices - if that makes sense? Anyone know whats the difference, are Eurobet definately Corals - as they do have the same logo.

Your will be right with the 1.72 then Beanie, the site I use to check prices changes (TipEx) only lists Eurobet (who have been 1.60 since Wed) and not Coral UK.

Ahh well, glad that ones cleared up. I think You learn something new every day

[Beanie]

That is strange. I'd always assumed the same - that Eurobet was simply the European arm of Coral.

[MickeyPaul]

Ladbrokes still have Motherwell @ 3.2 so I've decided to take it, those little rascals. I can't really understand where they're getting those odds from as there appears to be very little between these sides. A few goals on the cards too perhaps as Komp said? Could be. Here's the team news:

Motherwell manager Terry Butcher adds experienced goalkeeper Colin Meldrum to his squad for the trip after his move from Forfar earlier this week.

The Englishman signed the former Kilmarnock man this week with veteran Gordon Marshall still out for six to seven weeks after undergoing an operation on his elbow to leave just Graeme Smith and 18-year-old Douglas Calder available.

Butcher is also still without long-term absentees Martyn Corrigan, Kevin McBride (both knee) and Scott Leitch (Achilles) although striker Scott McDonald has returned to training after recovering from a slight knock and could come into contention for a starting slot.

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies has a full squad to choose from for Saturday's home game with Motherwell. Striker Gary Wales was the last to come off the treatment table and topped up his fitness by playing for the reserves in midweek. Wales had been receiving treatment for an ankle injury.

[Beanie]

Ooo, ummm, errrr...having a think about tomorrow.

It gets said a lot about the test Aberdeen pose to Rangers, but do they really?

5 points from a potential 75 in the 25 previous league games would suggest otherwise.

However, all those points have come at Pittodrie, and the threat of the score draw means anything lower than 1.55 or so isn't really worth a punt, so that counts out the Rangers bet.

The 5 draws in 13 games suggests that the odds on the draw could show some value.

Over/Under betting looks inconclusive.

Bookings bets don't look that tempting. Was a bit hit and miss between the two last season, with only a couple of the games turning into the dirty games punters might expect.

1.90 available for both teams to score at both Globet and Bet365. Thats a bit more interesting. Both teams have scored in the fixture in five of the last six fixtures at Pittodrie. Aberdeen, after a 1-1 draw and 2-1 loss, certainly seem to have problems at the back which will suggest a strong Rangers frontline will break through, while Rangers 2 clean sheets so far are most probably what is contributing to the highish odds. Vs Livingston, the Rangers back line were not likely to be greatly tested, so I'm not sure thats much to go on. And as much as the 1:0 win ground out over ICT was impressive in its own way, Inverness could and should have scored, even when Rangers were trying to keep it tight at the back.

But I'm not sold on the bet - Evens or above might clinch the deal, so its time to hunt high and low round the net for a bookie offering those odds(give me a shout if you know of one.)