Scottish Football Tips: Kai Watson's SPFL Bets, December 27
Saturday sees a packed schedule of eye-catching fixtures for punters to get stuck into north of the border.
And Kai Watson, our Free Bets Scottish football expert, is back with his top betting tips and weekend predictions for the best of the action.
Scottish Football Tips
Here are Kai's five best football betting tips for the weekend, complete with the best prices available at the top UK betting sites.
Hibs vs Hearts - Hearts to win
Hearts are the most in-form team in the Scottish Premiership having drawn two and won three of their last five with all the wins coming in the last three. They weren’t just any wins though, it started off with a win against Celtic at Parkhead, then a comfortable away victory at the Falkirk Stadium followed by a massive 2-1 win against Rangers at Tynecastle last Sunday.
They are currently six points ahead of Celtic but the side in second place do have a game in hand. Hearts aren’t only the most in-form side in the league, they are the top scorers, with seven more than Celtic, and also share the best defensive record with their closest title challengers.
This Hearts time is for real and they are absolutely up for this title race given not only their performance but the squad depth that they possess. Hibs just haven’t been able to find any consistency this season and have only won one of their last five which sees them sit in fifth. They have conceded the most goals of the top five sides and Hearts won the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
It was a tight contest and it took a Craig Halkett header from a wonderful cross from Sabah Kerjota in injury time to unlock Hibs defence but I think this one may end in a more convincing victory for the Jam Tarts.
Rangers vs Motherwell - Both teams to score
Given Rangers current form and defensive frailties, I would be very surprised if they could keep a clean sheet against high-flying Motherwell. Jens Berthel Askou’s side have collected the most points in the last five games, aside from the top two, and deservedly sit third place in the table. Not only that but they haven’t conceded a goal since November 22nd against Kilmarnock which is six full matches without conceding!
That run does include three nil-nil draws however so they haven’t been exactly free-scoring whilst they’ve been so good defensively. They’ve only scored six in their last six and have only scored more than one goal twice in that run with two coming against Hibs and three against Livingston, both at Fir Park.
Motherwell’s away form has actually been their only issue this season, winning just two of nine so far whilst winning five of nine at home. Rangers actually have a better record away from Ibrox this season but need a win after a disappointing defeat to Hearts last weekend.
This season, this is a huge game as Motherwell are currently one point in front of Rangers in third place, although the home side do have a game in hand. A win for Motherwell at Ibrox would mean that, even if Rangers win that game in hand, the Steelmen would remain in third.
This feels like another must win for Rangers and will be a massive test given how well Motherwell have played so far with their aggressive and expansive style. On paper, this should be a relatively open game in which both sides will create chances. I think with what is on the line and the home crowd behind them, Rangers will score at least once.
Their aforementioned issues defensively is also why I think they will concede at least once though, this one could be a barnstormer!
Dundee vs Falkirk - Falkirk to win
Falkirk hit a rough patch recently and hadn’t won in four games, although managed a 0-0 draw at Ibrox in that run, before winning 1-0 against Kilmarnock last weekend. John McGlynn’s side have been a fun watch this season with their attacking play in particular being very dynamic at times. Players like Kyrell Wilson, Calvin Miller and Ethan Williams give them plenty of forward threat and with Dundee having one of the worst defences in the league, I can see them struggling.
They’re also the joint lowest scorers in the competition, although St. Mirren have played two games less, their only hope is the crowd get behind them and someone like Cameron Congreve comes up with a moment of magic, in my opinion!
Queen’s Park vs Partick - Partick to win
Partick haven’t won in their last three games and have fallen five points behind St. Johnstone having previously been level on points. Mark Wilson will be hoping that his side can get back to winning ways, particularly after having only scored one in those three matches.
Arbroath are now just four points behind in third place having beaten Partick a couple of weeks ago so this is a big game for the Jags. A win keeps the pressure on the league leaders but a defeat here and they could fall eight points behind.
Queen’s Park have struggled again this season and if it wasn’t for Josh Fowler, would probably be bottom of the table. They did manage an impressive 3-0 win against Airdrie last time out but they’ve struggled for goals and Partick have the second best defence in the league.
I’m predicting a comfortable Partick win here.
Alloa vs Stenhousemuir - Both teams to score
Last weekend Stenhousemuir managed an incredibly impressive 1-0 home victory against league leaders Inverness. That took Stenny just three points from the top spot, even though they have played more game more.
Alloa had been flying up the table but have hit a sticky patch in recent weeks and have only won once in their last five matches. They’re now joint third with Queen of the South but could leapfrog Stenny into second with a victory on Saturday.
This is a massive game not only in terms of the play-off race but also the title race and could shape how the rest of the season will go. Alloa are tough to break down and have the second best defence in the league, with Stenny having the third best but something has to give here.
I think both teams will go for it and it should be a relatively open game with both defences having to deal with a lot of attacks. It should be an exciting one!
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