Scottish Football Tips: Kai Watson's Best Bets, April 25
It’s another busy week of Scottish football as the season edges towards its decisive run-in, with plenty to play for in all four divisions.
Our Free Bets Scottish football expert, Kai Watson, runs the rule over five matches north of the border.
Scottish Football Tips
Here are Kai's five top football betting tips for the weekend, featuring the best odds from UK betting sites to help you get maximum value on your bets.
Celtic vs Falkirk - Celtic to win
Celtic are up first of the top three in the Premiership this weekend and have a brilliant chance to put pressure on Hearts and Rangers. A win against Falkirk at Celtic Park would put them level on points with league leaders Hearts but they wouldn’t go top unless they won by seven goals.
Both of these teams were playing in the Scottish Cup Semi-Finals last weekend but had very different experiences. Falkirk were up first and played closest rivals Dunfermline. It was a really drab game that lacked any real attacking quality and it’s no surprise it was 0-0 at the end of 90 and 120 minutes.
Two of Falkirk’s most trusted players, Brad Spencer and Liam Henderson, missed their penalties which allowed Dunfermline to progress into the final. It wasn’t only a disappointing defeat to a fierce rival, it was also a defeat to a club in the division below.
Celtic played in one of the most chaotic domestic matches at Hampden in recent memory. They dominated the first half and went in 2-0 up at half time. They didn’t turn up at all for the second half though and St. Mirren were aggressive and pinned Celtic into their defensive third.
An injury time goal in regular time from Mandron took it to extra time with St. Mirren having all of the momentum. However, an incredible six minute spell from Celtic meant that by the 102nd minute it was 6-2, yes SIX-TWO!
That should give Celtic confidence and some momentum going into this one and the chance to go joint-top and put pressure on their title challengers should be all the motivation they need, alongside having home advantage, to take three points here.
Aberdeen vs Kilmarnock - Both teams to score & over 2.5 goals
This could be a goal fest, Aberdeen are only five points ahead of Kilmarnock and definitely aren’t safe from the relegation play-off spot yet. Killie currently occupy that spot but have looked decent, in patches, under Neil McCann.
Aberdeen had a brilliant result last time out as they ran out 2-0 winners over Hibs, which was Stephen Robinson’s first win and their first clean sheet since February 24th. Before that they had been winless since February 18th and the previous game went to Robinson’s old club St. Mirren and were comfortably beaten 2-0.
Killie have won two of their last five after beating Hearts and Livingston in March but then lost 3-0 against Hibs and drew 2-2 with Dundee last time out, after Dundee missed an injury time penalty.
Killie’s performances have definitely improved under McCann but that hasn’t always correlated in a positive result. They really struggle defensively and have only conceded one goal less than bottle of the table Livingston. They have conceded ten goals in the last five games and that was with keeping two clean sheets in their victories, so ten goals conceded in those three games.
Both teams aren’t great defensively but do make chances going forward so I’m predicting goals in this one.
Hibernian vs Hearts - Lawrence Shankland 1+ shots on target
This is easily the most important Edinburgh derby of the season and there’s so much on the line for both sides. Hibs are currently chasing Motherwell and are three points behind going into the split. Fourth place will secure a European spot so David Gray will be desperate to catch Jens Berthel Askou’s side.
Hearts play last of the top three so there’s a chance that by the time this game kicks off that they’re in second place, level on points with Celtic. Every game from this point can decide the title but the first game of the split seems like the perfect time to be able to set a marker to your opposition.
Shankland has been excellent since returning from injury and does enjoy an Edinburgh derby goal. Alongside Braga, he’ll be the main goal threat but the fact he spends more time between the posts makes this seem like a good bet to me.
Ross County vs Morton - Both teams to score
With two games left to go, Ross County are in real danger of a second relegation in two seasons. Despite spending big in the summer, they have struggled all season and are six points behind Morton who currently occupy 8th place.
Morton are six clear of bottom placed County and five clear of Airdrie currently, avoiding defeat here will secure their place in the Championship for next season. This is a huge match for both teams and a win for Stuart Kettlewell’s side could take them off the bottom of the table and just three points behind Morton.
Ian Murray’s side have a big advantage when it comes to goal difference so should be safe but securing a point here would massively ease fans worries.
County need a victory and home advantage could be big, they got a massive win last week but their defensive struggles lead me to believe they’ll definitely concede at least once.
Dumbarton vs East Kilbride - East Kilbride to win
Dumbarton’s form in recent weeks has improved, they were unbeaten in four, winning two, including a win against Stirling Albion who sit just one place and one point above them now. However, they lost 2-0 to Clyde last time out and now have nothing to play for with Edinburgh City being confirmed to be finishing bottom.
East Kilbride have everything to play for, with two games left to go, they currently sit top of the table but are just one point ahead of Spartans. Mick Kennedy’s side are free scoring and are the top scorers in the league, by 14 goals, and average 2.09 goals per game.
How much that is on the line for East Kilbride and the lack of jeopardy for Dumbarton now, I think the league leaders will still be top by sealing a victory on Saturday.
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