Scottish Football Tips: Kai Watson's Best Bets, August 15
It's another busy weekend of Scottish football, with the SPFL action joined by the Scottish League Cup last-16 ties getting underway.
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 action, featuring the best odds from the top UK betting sites, ensuring you get maximum value on your bets.
Aberdeen vs Dundee - Dundee to win
I’ve been incredibly impressed with Dundee so far this season. They went to Celtic Park on flag day and were brave both in and out of possession. Steven Pressley’s side pressed high up the pitch but were also well organised when they weren’t triggering it.
On the ball they looked to get it wide and for their wingers to attack Celtic’s fullbacks. Particularly impressive was right winger Joe Bevan who has come into this season as a starter. He’s quick, direct and really good at carrying the ball. He constantly went at Kieran Tierney and had some success against one of the best left backs that Scotland has ever produced.
He’s not the only one that has impressed though as their defence looks solid and the midfield looks capable of controlling games, especially against clubs lower down the table. The recruitment and set up for Dundee so far this season has been excellent and they have been one of the most exciting teams to watch during their League Cup and Premiership campaign.
Aberdeen had a decent second half and snuck a victory against Hearts at Pittodrie on the opening day but were schooled by this weekend’s opponents last week. They may have had more possession but didn’t really create much and looked like conceding nearly every time Dundee went forward.
I think this will be a tighter game but with how Dundee play and Aberdeen not looking very dangerous going forward but still think the away side will come away with the victory.
Dunfermline vs Ross County - Both teams to score
This should be a good game, Dunfermline haven’t really gotten going the way their fans might have expected after reaching the Play-Offs and the Scottish Cup Final. They drew 0-0 with Inverness on the first day of the season which probably would have disappointed their support.
Last weekend they drew 1-1 with Ayr but their opponents were in great form so that was a much better result but they are still searching for their first win of the season.
Ross County were one of the favourites to WIN the Scottish Championship last season and somehow managed to finish rock bottom despite spending a ludicrous amount on wages for the level. So they now go into another season as heavy favourites for promotion but have started the season well.
They played Peterhead and won 1-0 before beating Montrose 2-1 last weekend and have the only 100% record alongside Hamilton in League One.
So one team heads into this one in better form than the other and Ross County probably have a squad still capable of playing in the Championship so that’s why I think it’ll be a close game. Dunfermline will be hoping this one can kick start their season whereas Ross County will look to continue their good form.
Alloa Athletic vs Montrose - Alloa to win
Alloa have some really exciting attacking players including Kyle Glasgow and Max Cameron, both on loan from Rangers but have had a tricky start to the season. They couldn’t break down East Fife in a 0-0 draw on the opening day then faced one of the title favourites in Hamilton but only lost 1-0. Conceding once in two games is encouraging but not being able to score in either could be slight cause for concern.
Montrose sit bottom of League One currently and have conceded seven goals so far, five against Hamilton in a 5-0 drubbing and then two last week in a 2-1 defeat against Ross County. They probably couldn’t have asked for a more difficult start to the season but conceding that many goals will be a worry for their fans.
I think playing at home gives Alloa the advantage and they will eventually start scoring goals with the talent that they have. I fancy them to win this one purely because I don’t think Montrose will be able to stop them from scoring.
Elgin vs Kelty Hearts - Elgin to win
I think many, myself included, expected more from Elgin last season after their summer recruitment looked good but it just never really clicked for them. They’ve started this season well though and sit joint top of League Two with four points after two games.
They opened the season by hammering Edinburgh City 5-0 before getting a respectable draw against Forfar, who had also been in good form.
Kelty had a horrific season last year and started off with a defeat to Forfar before a decent 3-2 win against Stirling Albion last weekend.
Home advantage is massive in this one for me and the fact that Elgin have shown their capability of scoring goals whilst only conceding once compared to Kelty’s three. I do think it will be a tight game but I think the home side will squeeze out a victory.
Hibernian vs Partick Thistle - Both teams to score
This is an exciting cup tie on paper. Thistle were the best of the rest in the Championship last season and came close to promotion, only losing narrowly to St. Mirren in the Play-Offs. Hibs got, and deserved, a victory at Ibrox last weekend and managed to progress to the next round in Europe after having lost to Motherwell on the opening day.
Thistle have won their first two games of the Championship season against Morton and potential title rivals Livingston without conceding a goal. They have added some exciting players like Seb Drozd and Euan Henderson whilst bringing back Ethan Ingram and Oisin Symth permanently.
They are my favourites for the Championship title and I think Mark Wilson’s men will cause Hibs some issues. David Gray’s side looked shaky defensively, at times, at Ibrox and the Jags will be full of confidence following their recent form.
This could be the tie of the round, in my opinion.
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