Ladbrokes SPFL: Thriller in store as Hibernian meet Dunfermline
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The new Ladbrokes SPFL season kicked off with a bang last weekend, with goals aplenty and drama wherever you looked. Seven days on, we’re in store for more.
Hibernian got off to a winning start in the Ladbrokes Championship, while Livingston quickly dusted off the cobwebs of relegation in Ladbrokes League 1.
But as game week two nears, here’s how we reckon it might play out throughout the leagues this weekend…
Ladbrokes Championship:
It was a goal-busting opening weekend last time out in the Ladbrokes Championship, with nine of the ten sides finding the net.
The pick of the games this time around is Hibernian v Dunfermline. The Hibbees are 2/5 favourites, but better value may lie in Jason Cummings netting the opener for the second week in succession at 10/3.
Plenty of drama is expected when Raith host St Mirren, with both teams scoring in all four meetings last term, totalling 15 goals. Both teams to net again is 8/11, as is over 2.5 goals.
Queen of the South beat Hibs 3-1 in the cup in midweek, while Ayr put up a valiant effort versus Aberdeen and we expect a close one here, with the draw at 29/10.
Last season’s runners-up Falkirk lost at home to Hibs last weekend, but can get back on track away at Morton. The Bairns were unbeaten against the Ton last term – winning three times by a 1-0 scoreline – and a repeat is 8/1.
Meanwhile, Dundee United meet a Dumbarton side in woeful form. The Sons are winless this term, and have conceded two or more in every game – including 13 in the last three. United to win -1 is our pick over evens at 13/8.
Ladbrokes League 1:
Livingston flew out of the blocks to put five past Stranraer last week, and now they head to Airdrieonians, who themselves won 3-1. With so much attacking threat on show, we’re going over 3.5 goals at 8/5.
Alloa were the other side to win big last time out – 4-0 against Peterhead – and now they look to play a Stanraer team which hasn’t kept a clean sheet this term. The Wasps look very assured at 6/5.
Peterhead can kick-start their season at home to East Fife, and though the Fifers beat them in a Cup clash earlier this year, the Blue Toon should should be a sturdier test on home soil. A draw is 29/10.
Albion and Brechin each picked up points last weekend, and both teams netted in their fixtures. Given the same thing happened in three of their four clashes last term, there’ll be no surprises when we suggest backing both keepers to be beaten once more at 13/20.
Stenhousemuir have lost every game this year, including their opening cup clash to Queen’s Park last month. The Spiders have struggled since though, only winning against Kilmarnock U20s – so we fancy a draw at 11/4.
Ladbrokes League 2:
A 3-2 win over Stirling got Annan’s season up and running nicely last week, and having beaten Berwick in four of their five meetings last term, the Galabankies could be a popular pick at 31/20.
Edinburgh City put up an admirable fight in their first ever Ladbrokes SPFL game last time out, losing 3-2 to Forfar, but they’ll be up against it at Elgin. Jim Weir’s men lost just once at Borough Briggs last season, and are 8/15 for three points.
Relegated duo Forfar and Cowdenbeath meet once more, and with both teams scoring in three of the four contests last term, we like the look of both teams to score and Forfar to win at 5/2.
Both Arbroath and Montrose have endured a tough time of it in the Cup, and both failed to win their opening league match. Results fluctuate wildly between these two at Links Park, but with 18 goals in the last five meetings, it’s never dull at Montrose. Over 3.5 goals is 7/5.
Finally, Barry Ferguson’s Clyde improved as the season wore on last term, and having won three of their last four versus Stirling, and the Bully Wee are 7/5 to make it four wins from five.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
