ST MIRREN have dropped behind in the race to match last season’s top six finish but the Paisley side can take a massive step back into the picture by winning at Motherwell today.
The Steelmen and the Buddies return to action after contrasting fortunes against the Old Firm before the Scottish Cup weekend and I’m backing Saints to bounce back from their 5-2 home defeat by Celtic with a win at Fir Park.
Stephen Robinson’s men were wrongly denied a[/caption]
That scoreline doesn’t tell the whole story of that match in Paisley as Saints were denied a penalty at 3-2 down just before Celtic scored their 4th and that decision has since been declared a wrong one by the Key Match Incident Panel.
Saints had already fought back from 1-0 and 2-1 down to the champions and while 7/4 Motherwell are back on home turf after their famous win over Rangers at Ibrox 2 weeks ago, St Mirren look the value at 17/10.
Stephen Robinson‘s players have managed some superb road results this season and while Rangers‘ home form probably devalues both of these clubs’ recent Ibrox successes, Saints can draw level with their currently 6th placed hosts with a totally feasible victory.
EVERTON have made massive strides since the second coming of Davie Moyes and the Toffees can make it 6 matches unbeaten with a home win over West Ham at a general 11/10.
Last week’s point at Wolves wasn’t Everton’s best performance since Moyes replaced Sean Dyche in early January but they’re getting results and banking vital points as they prepare to switch to a brand new stadium next season.
West Ham lost at home to Newcastle on Monday after successive wins over Arsenal and Leicester but Moyes seems to be getting more out his inherited squad at Goodison and they’ll have two weeks after this game to prepare for the next Merseyside derby at Anfield.
BRIGHTON landed the money for us at 19/20 against Fulham last Saturday and my 5/2 draw selection for Manchester United against Arsenal made it 2 wins from 2 bets in the Premier League.
BOURNEMOUTH can beat Brentford in today’s 5.30 kick-off at a general 7/10 an the Arsenal/Chelsea draw appeals tomorrow at 13/5 as both London clubs look likely to have to settle for top 4 finishes.
WEST BROM did the business for us in the Championship last week with an 8/11 win over QPR and Tony Mowbray’s Baggies get another top 5 vote today at home to Hull.
The visitors have attracted support at big prices this week but West Brom have now won 7 of their last 9 at the Hawthorns and I can’t see them slipping up at 19/20.
FALKIRK increased their lead at the top of the Championship by landing the 2/5 selection against Dunfermline last Saturday and the Bairns look good for another 3 points against Queens Park.
The Spiders could only manager a consolation goal when they were 4-0 down at Pittodrie last week and the Bairns’ league superiority can see them register another 3 points on the road at a general 4/7.
AYR couldn’t take anything from Morton after being a goal up in 8 minutes but Scott Brown‘s men should enjoy going to Partick Thistle and this week’s steady support down to 11/10 for the away win can prove justified.
The Jags have moved into pole position for the final play-off place after a shaky spell which saw the departure of manager Kris Doolan but Ayr have looked the better side overall and last week’s defeat can be forgiven.
Saturday SINGLE
Peterborough were pegged back in the 93rd minute last Saturday but the bet’s done well this season and Championship bottom dogs PLYMOUTH can beat Derby at 2/1.
Weekend ACCA
St Mirren 17/10
Everton 11/10
West Brom 19/20
Celtic 4/7
Dundee Utd 5/6
A 3-2 split over Saturday/Sunday this weekend with all 5 teams winning earning a payout of 30/1.
CELTIC V RANGERS Sunday 12.30pm Sky Sports
Rangers will have had less than 3 days to recover from Thursday’s penaltys win over against Fenerbahce but that was a record 4th straight defeat at Ibrox and they’re up against it here.
The champions are well on course for a treble after last week’s Scottish Cup win over Hibs but there’s a potential title-winning match in Perth before they face St Johnstone at Hampden.
Brendan Rogers’ side have to avenge their most recent Old Firm defeat at Ibrox before those matches and the general 7/10 looks well worth taking as a Sunday banker against the 10/3 visiting Gers.
DUNDEE UTD V DUNDEE Sunday 3pm Premier Sports
United return to action after having last weekend off and this latest Dundee Derby gives Jim Goodwin‘s side a chance to keep tabs on Hibs and Aberdeen for a third place finish.
Both of those rivals are on the road today and while home advantage on Tannadice Street might not be hugely significant, United come into this in decidedly better form than Tony Docherty’s second bottom strugglers.
Dundee’s Imari Samuels and Dundee Utd’s Will Ferry in action[/caption]
Dens favourite Simon Murray is no stranger to a derby goal but Sam Dalby continues to be key to United’s season and the home side’s overall profile makes them a solid bet at 5/6
KILMARNOCK V HIBERNIAN
Hibs managed 15 matches unbeaten between their two defeats to Celtic in Glasgow and last week’s Scottish Cup exit was no disgrace with Celtic needing a late Adam Idah goal to seal the deal.
Killie have had 2 weeks to regroup after their latest 1-0 defeat at Ross County but that was a third straight defeat since a home win over St Johnstone and Derek McInnes‘ side are 8/5 to get back to winning ways.
Hibs need to keep winning to stay ahead of Aberdeen and Dundee United in third place and I fancy the visitors to be winners here at 7/4 despite steady support for the home side all week.
ST JOHNSTONE V ABERDEEN
Saints’ Monday night win at Livingston secured a Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic and that third successive match unbeaten will have raised hopes for today’s showdown with the Dons.
Graham Carey’s stunner has secured Simo Valikari’s players an end of season to remember but today could be massive with upcoming trips to Hibs and Dundee United sandwiched by a potential title-winning league visit from Celtic.
Aberdeen dealt with Queens Park as convincingly as odds of 4/11 suggested they might but a seemingly assured third place has become a 3-way battle and the 2/1 draw looks a solid option for the two clubs and punters alike.
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