Ladbrokes SPFL: Rangers and Hibs to open with New Year wins

A New Year is ushered in but for Scotland’s footballers there is no time to ponder about New Year Resolutions as there’s a full weekend of fixtures to deal with in the Ladbrokes SPFL.

The weather played an impact over the festive period, but with some teams now playing as many as three games fewer than other sides around them, everything is still to play for in each division.

Hibernian will be hoping to return to winning ways, Dunfermline could go six points clear at the top in League 1, and League 2 leaders Annan will be looking to arrest a three-game winless streak.

Here’s your first weekend preview of the year…

Ladbrokes Championship

Rangers have already defeated Dumbarton twice this term and are 2/9 to do so again, while Hibernian are 1/3 to return to winning ways against Raith, having already taken six points off Rovers this season.

Queen of the South look for a first win in five games when they head to Livingston, and Morton and St Mirren will both look to bounce back after Christmas losses when they meet.

The league’s in-form side, Falkirk, have won seven and drawn two of their last nine, and they’re 1/2 to win at Alloa in the evening game.

Ladbrokes League 1

A run of one win in four games has seen Ayr fall away from Dunfermline at the top of the table, and they’re evens to get back to winning ways at ninth-placed Stranraer.

The league leading Pars are a heavy 1/5 to win a fifth-straight game against Cowdenbeath, while Peterhead can go eight games without defeat if they avoid a loss at home to Stenhousemuir.

Albion are evens to send Airdrieonians to a fourth-successive defeat, and Brechin could consign Forfar to a fourteenth game without a win.

Ladbrokes League 2

Table-topping Annan have picked up just one point from the last nine available, allowing the chasing pack to close in, so this could be a bad time to head to Berwick.

The Borderers are seeking a third-straight win but were beaten 2-0 by Annan at home in September. Athletic are 6/5 for a repeat victory.

The game of the weekend in League 2 could well be in-form Clyde versus Queen of the South.

Barry Ferguson’s men are 21/20 for a sixth win in seven games, with Queens at 2/1. Either side could go top with a win, as could Elgin if they can prevail over East Fife.

Montrose look to arrest a woeful run of form when they host Arbroath, while bottom side East Stirling could put pressure on the sides above them if they can prevail in the Stirling derby.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £50 in free bets.