Ladbrokes SPFL: Expect goals at Ibrox and a shut-out for Morton
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After a week off league action for much of the Ladbrokes SPFL, we return with a bang with a full serving of Scottish football.
The top-flight action is covered here, so we are looking at the fixtures from the Championship, League 1 and League 2 this Saturday.
We start with the leaders in the second tier, Rangers, who have been more than entertaining their fans in recent times.
Mark Warburton’s men hold a three point lead in the league, and can stretch that further with victory over Livingston, but at 1/11 there is little room for manoeuvre.
Instead, backing the hosts to score four or more goals, something they have done in five of their last six in all competitions, against a side who have kept one clean sheet away in the league in 10 games, looks value at 7/4.
At the other end of the table, it could be quite the opposite, with 10th-placed Alloa netting just once in their last seven in front of their own fans.
Opponents Morton are unbeaten in five on the road, and can be fancied to triumph at 13/10, but with the Wasps’ sting non-existent of late, backing them to do so without conceding looks wise at 23/10.
It looks tough to call a winner at the Cheaper Insurance Stadium with Dumbarton and Queen of the South picking up just the solitary win since mid-December.
Elsewhere, Raith Rovers are in danger of slipping out of the play-off places having lost their last three matches in all competitions without scoring.
They visit St Mirren Park to take on a Buddies side trying to stage a revival, winning two of their last three. The hosts might tempt some at 11/10.
Loons’ wait for three points set to go on
Things are looking increasingly bleak for Forfar in League 1. They return to action after being held by junior side Linlithgow Rose in the Scottish Cup, and remain winless in the league since September 12.
Opponents Airdrieonians have triumphed just once in their last six at home, and with The Loons drawing their last five on the road, a share of the spoils could be on the cards at 29/10.
It looks increasingly likely that no one will stop Dunfermline on their march to the title.
The Pars have won 10 and drawn four of their last 14 matches in the division, and show no sign of slowing.
While they are fancied to win against Albion Rovers on Saturday, backing them to run away with it isn’t advised.
Rovers have only conceded more than one goal once in their last nine games, so taking the 13/8 on the match featuring less than three strikes is the way to go.
The title challenge is falling away partly because of Ayr United’s slump in form which has seen them pick up just three points since November 21.
Righting that wrong on Saturday could hinge on whether Greig Spence turns up to Somerset Park in form.
The Cowdenbeath man has scored in his last five league games, and could be the player to snatch the victory for the visitors.
The Honest Men are in danger of losing their second place mantle to Peterhead who are flying up the league, with five wins in their last six.
The Blue Toon could offer a spot of value away at Stranraer at odds of 21/20, despite the fact their hosts have won two on the trot.
Elsewhere Stenhousemuir seek just a second win in six matches against a Brechin City who haven’t been much better of late and still occupy bottom spot. This one looks a tough one to call.
Ferguson’s men can climb the League 2 ladder
In the tight race for the League 2 title, Clyde could be best placed to take advantage this week at home to East Stirling.
The Bully Wee could go second with victory of the basement dwellers, and you can expect plenty of goals – six of The Shire’s last nine away games have seen four or more goals.
It was a bit of a breakthrough moment for Montrose last week as they marked one of the few league fixtures to go ahead with a win over East Stirling.
Whether they can follow that up against Queen’s Park is up in the air, but what does look certain is that it won’t be a goal-fest.
Just one of The Spiders’ last six games have featured more than one goal, so backing that trend to continue cannot be discouraged at 10/3.
One win in six has seen Annan Athletic slip down to third in the division, so steadying the ship will be vital when East Fife come to town.
The Fifers have lost all three visits to Galabank so have a record to set straight as well.
Goals could be on the card at Shielfield Park when Arbroath visit. The Red Licthies have netted two or more in five of their last six, though it hasn’t helped them to any consistent results.
You can back them to do it again at 5/4 with Ladbrokes.
League 2 leaders Elgin round off our preview, and look a good price at 20/21 to pick up their eighth win from 10 home games so far this term.
Stirling Albion, who have lost their last two, are their visitors, and must upset the applecart if they are to keep tabs on the top four in the division.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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