Ladbrokes Premiership: Rangers star to net first against Ross County
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Rangers look good to put derby day disappointment behind them as they host Ross County on Saturday, with Mark Warburton’s men heading into their first ever league meeting with the Staggies.
Elsewhere in the Ladbrokes Premiership, Hearts look to continue their three-match winning run at McDiarmid Park, while Celtic try to extend their lead at the top against Inverness Caledonian Thistle. So without further ado, here are our top betting tips for the weekend.
Rangers v Ross County
Putting aside last weekend’s heavy defeat at Celtic Park, the Gers have adapted well on their return to the Ladbrokes Premiership, with eight points in their opening four games, while their visitors have already lost at Alloa Athletic and Hamilton Academical on the road this season.
However with Rangers heavy favourites for victory, we reckon the best value is on backing Ibrox wing wizard Harry Forrester to net first, a feat he’s managed on five occasions since late February.
Best Bet: Harry Forrester to score first @ 11/2
St Johnstone v Hearts
Robbie Neilson’s charges head to Perth on the back of three straight victories, though the solitary clean sheet they’ve managed in their first five Ladbrokes Premiership games has had Jam Tarts’ fans regularly biting their nails.
However, they will fancy their chances against a St Johnstone side who have lost two of their last three games, and have one of the division’s leakier defences so far. Expect Hearts to outscore their hosts in Perth, though there’s every chance they’ll ship a goal or two along the way.
Dundee v Aberdeen
Three draws apiece for Dundee and Aberdeen in their opening five Ladbrokes Premiership fixtures.
Both have proved difficult to break down, with Aberdeen notching up back-to-back clean sheets to open the campaign, while Dundee have only shipped five goals in as many games.
However, the attacking talent on show, from Rory Loy to Adam Rooney means it’s unlikely we’ll see a goalless game. Expect both sides to find the net, but a cagey game overall.
Best Bet: 1-1 Draw @ 11/2
Inverness CT v Celtic
Having stuck four past Aberdeen and five past Rangers in successive games, Celtic head to the Highlands in fine domestic form. And this is a fixture Brendan Rodgers’ men have well and truly dominated in recent times.
Celtic have won all of the last four meetings by at least two clear goals, with a 5-0 demolition at Parkhead in May 2015 the pick of the bunch. Inverness also head into this one with a mixed home record of late, having shipped three or more goals in their last five home league games.
The best value here seems to be in backing another comfortable triumph for the Hoops against the Highlanders.
Best Bet: Celtic -2 @ 5/2
Motherwell v Hamilton Academical
The Lanarkshire Derby returns for its latest instalment this weekend, and Martin Canning’s men look great value to take something from Fir Park for the third time in four visits.
Last time out they came from behind twice to grab a point in a 3-3 thriller, and the Well have been making a habit of losing leads this season, with six points dropped from winning positions in their opening five games.
Accies are awaiting a first away win in the Ladbrokes Premiership, but they did win 4-0 here in the 2014-15 season, so the 9/2 on Hamilton to battle back from behind for a result looks like great value.
Kilmarnock v Partick Thistle
Having taken a point against both Rangers and Dundee in the past fortnight, Killie look set to go one (or rather, two) better this time out as they host a Partick Thistle side on a run of four losses in all competitions.
The East Ayrshire side have notched up several impressive results in this fixture during the past two years, including a 4-1 triumph at Firhill and a 3-0 win at Rugby Park – and having seemingly overcome last season’s issues at home, expect Lee Clark’s men to give their visitors another difficult afternoon.
Best Bet: Kilmarnock to win @ 2/1
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
