Ladbrokes Premiership: Hamilton can halt Hearts charge
Published:
Five games in to the new Ladbrokes Premiership season and few would have predicted Hearts conjuring a perfect quintet of victories.
The newly-promoted side have lit up the division so far but will they be stopped in their tracks this weekend and can any of the three sides yet to win this term finally claim three points?
Here’s your weekly preview…
Celtic v St Johnstone
Following their Champions League exit in midweek, Celtic’s attention returns to domestic matters.
The 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock remains the only dropped points for the Hoops so far this term, who are averaging just over 2.5 goals a game in the Ladbrokes Premiership.
Opponents St Johnstone, who picked up their first win last weekend, have scored in all five league games this season, while the Bhoys have conceded in their last three domestic contests.
Tommy Wright’s men picked up a memorable 1-0 win over Celtic in March, but were winless in their seven previous visits to Parkhead.
Ronny Deila’s men will be eager to bounce back this weekend however after their disappointment in Sweden, and could well be sitting top of the table come 17:00.
Dundee v Inverness CT
After their superb campaign last season, finishing third and enjoying a League Cup title, it’s been a slow start for Inverness this time around.
Already out of Europe, Caley are winless thus far, and the root of their problem has been a lack of goals, with just three in the league.
Hosts Dundee have won just once since their superb opening day 4-0 success at Kilmarnock, and slumped to a 3-1 Challenge Cup exit at League One Dunfermline on Tuesday.
Both sides can lay claim to needing a victory here, but their last six meetings have yielded just nine strikes, with only one of those games producing over 2.5 goals.
Best Bet: Under 2.5 Goals @ 4/6
Hamilton v Hearts
Hearts couldn’t have asked for a better start on their return to Premiership football, but this could be the time they drop some points.
Hamilton have only played four games, but having won their last two the Accies currently sit fourth in the table thanks to a resolute defence.
Martin Canning’s men have conceded just twice this term, and New Douglas Park is yet to see a goal conceded, but Hearts arrive as joint-top scorers in the division.
Last season’s Championship winners have been in excellent goalscoring form, netting in each of their last ten games in all competitions.
Best Bet: Correct Score 1-1 @ 11/2
Motherwell v Kilmarnock
These sides boast just one win between them, and Motherwell are enduring a four-game losing run following an opening day success at Inverness.
Visitors Kilmarnock prop up the table however, with just two points to show for their efforts and a worrying 14 goals conceded, but better times may lay ahead.
Ian Baraclough has seen his Steelmen side beaten in both matches at Fir Park this term, and if Killie can muster the energy and performance when they came back to draw with Celtic, then they could be on their way to that first league win of the year.
Best Bet: Kilmarnock to win @ 14/5
Partick v Aberdeen
Winless Partick host an Aberdeen side boasting four wins from four.
Even more impressive is that solitary goal the Dons have conceded, whilst netting on seven occasions.
Thistle claimed just one point against Derek McInnes’ side last term, going down 1-0 at Firhill in November.
Aberdeen have scored two goals in each of their last three league ties, and though Partick have kept two clean sheets term, they have failed to score four times.
Best Bet: Aberdeen to win to nil @ 13/8
Ross County v Dundee United
It’s been a solid start to the year for Ross County, with their only defeats coming against Celtic and Hearts.
Dundee United can point to a similar tale, with Aberdeen also claiming the spoils in addition to the Staggies conquerors.
The two sides combined for 11 goals in their three meetings last season, with United proving victorious twice and County once and both teams are having little problem finding the net this season.
Liam Boyce has scored four in his last three games in all competitions, including the opener in County’s last two matches.
Best Bet: Liam Boyce First Goalscorer @ 5/1
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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