Scottish Football Tips: Kai Watson's Best Bets, October 10
Domestic football is back following the international break, and our Scottish football expert Kai Watson is back with his latest Scottish football betting tips.
Scottish Football Tips
Check out Kai's football tips below, alongside the best odds to help you find the best value for your bets.
Dundee United vs Hibernian - Both teams to score
Dundee United have had such a mixed start to the season, they go from hammering Kilmarnock 4-0 to losing 3-0 to Motherwell in just the next game. After that defeat they drew against Falkirk at home but things really clicked into place in their last outing against St. Mirren when they came away from Paisley with a 3-0 victory.
Hibs' start to the season hasn’t really been mixed, it’s just been poor. So poor in fact that club legend David Gray was sacked before the international break. He has been replaced by highly-rated Dutch manager Marink Reedijk. The 34-year-old left Beveren in the summer after leading them to the Challenger League title undefeated and with the best scoring/defensive record in the league.
He left on his own accord but it was suspected he would walk into a job in the Belgian or Dutch top flight, those opportunities either never arose or he wanted to wait for a project which excited him. He said that after speaking with Malky Mackay he was excited by the project put in front of him which must be encouraging for fans of the Hibees.
His football is aggressive and focuses a lot on wing play/overloading the box from open-play. Hibs have players that can cause problems in wide areas and this week signed Rabbi Matondo. He’s a player that showed what he was capable of, in spells, at Rangers and Reedijk will be hoping he can recreate some of those spectacular goals scored at Ibrox.
I’m excited to see the new Hibs and Dundee United were really impressive against St. Mirren, on paper this should be a good game. I don’t think either team will be able to keep the other out, I expect goals from both sides!
Hearts vs St Mirren - Under 2.5 goals
St. Mirren have been one of the surprise packages of the Scottish Premiership this season with their complete change of style under Craig McLeish. They have gone from running two big strikers and being long ball merchants to keeping the ball on the ground, pressing high and scoring some wonderful goals.
Hearts will be disappointed in their last two results having lost to Falkirk then rescuing a late draw against Kilmarnock last time out. Under Wouter Vrancken they have been aggressive, poured bodies forward and created plenty but have lost points due to their defensive frailties.
With three weeks to work with most of the team, I believe their shape will be better and they won’t concede goals as easily.
They haven’t been particularly clinical though, especially in their last three league games and St. Mirren aren’t free scoring either.
I think the away side will frustrate the hosts and can see this being a 1-0.
Livingston vs Partick - Both teams to score
These two were the bookies favourites to finish in the top two spots at the beginning of the season. Livingston will be disappointed with their 2-1 defeat against Ayr, especially playing over an hour against ten men! (They were also the only prediction I got wrong last week)
Partick got back to winning ways after two games without a goal and only picking up one point. They bounced back with an emphatic 3-0 win against Arbroath which Mark Wilson would have been delighted with.
Both sides will be disappointed that they are so far behind Stenhousemuir currently and will be desperate to try and catch the table toppers.
I think it will be tight and cagey but both sides have enough quality in forward areas to score against each other.
Raith Rovers vs Queen’s Park - Raith to win
If it wasn’t for Morton, Queen’s Park would be sitting bottom of the Scottish Championship by a considerable distance. The Greenock based side have an excuse to struggle with the lack of money and now lacking a manager. Queen’s Park don’t really have an excuse though, they have players experienced at this level and some youngsters that look like they have decent potential.
It just hasn’t clicked on a Saturday though and they have lost their last three games. You could argue they were tough fixtures with defeats away to Dunfermline and Arbroath either side of a 2-0 home defeat against Ayr.
Raith so far, have been performing above expectations for fans and pundits alike. They currently sit second behind runaway leaders Stenny although Partick Thistle have a game in hand and Dunfermline have two which could push Dougie Imrie’s side down the table.
No one has scored more than Raith’s 13 goals (Livi are level) and Queen’s Park have the second worst defensive record in the league.
The game is also at Stark’s Park! Easy home win for me.
Alloa Athletic vs Hamilton - Hamilton to win
Hamilton are absolutely flying and will feel aggrieved that they have ended up in the same division as Ross County. If it wasn’t for the Dingwall side they would be six clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.
They remain unbeaten in the league and have won their last four having scored eight and only conceding two in those victories. The goals they conceded in the 4-1 victory against Queen of the South and 2-1 win against Peterhead were actually the first goals they conceded this season.
They aren’t as free-scoring as Ross County but defensively they have been excellent and look like they can win against everyone.
Alloa started off well but are on a bad run having lost the last three and haven’t won in five. They have had a really difficult run of fixtures though playing East Kilbride, Ross County and now Hamilton.
I don’t think this will be the game to turn their fortunes around and actually fancy a comfortable win for Hamilton after Ross County managed a 4-1 win against their opponents last time.
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