THE embryonic William Hill Premiership table is shaping up nicely in Scotland provoking numerous talking points and Tony Incenzo previews Saturday’s action in the top flight.
Only two sides boast 100 percent winning records thereby creating intense betting interest. Furthermore, four teams have failed to win. This sorrowful quartet surprisingly includes Old Firm giants Rangers.
Here are the Saturday pairings alongside my considered score predictions to assist your football betting…
Celtic v Falkirk Prediction
- Celtic Park
- Kick-off: 3pm
- Rankings: 1st versus 10th
Celtic preview – Two straight wins for the Bhoys. Therefore boss Martin O’Neill is still successfully doing the business domestically at the ripe old age of 74. But fresh from Tuesday night’s UEFA Champions League disaster in Austria.
Celtic led LASK 3-0 courtesy of the first leg at Parkhead before collapsing 5-1 after extra-time in the return for a 5-4 aggregate defeat. Many people are calling it their worst ever European performance and I tend to agree.
Falkirk preview – Just one point so far. A 2-0 opening home loss against visitors St Mirren was followed by the scoreless stalemate at Motherwell.
Falkirk are boosted by Monday’s recruitment of Wolverhampton Wanderers wide man Conor McLeod on a season long loan agreement.
Score prediction: Celtic bounce back in style 3-0.
Heart of Midlothian v St. Johnstone Prediction
- Tynecastle Park
- Kick-off: 3pm
- Rankings: 5th versus 6th
Heart of Midlothian preview – The initial 2-1 reverse away to Aberdeen was overturned by trouncing Dundee United 4-0 at Tynecastle.
So a mixed start for new head coach Wouter Vrancken who was installed on 25th June despite having no experience of Scottish football.
Tuesday featured Hearts signing towering 6 feet 4 inch American forward JJ Williams from Rhode Island of the USL Championship. He penned a two year contract for an undisclosed fee.
St. Johnstone preview – One win and one defeat registered. I felt the 4-3 home victory over Kilmarnock was particularly exciting. Monday’s significant transfer news saw the Saints bring in Bosnian left-back Enes Alic following his departure from former club Zeljeznicar. Alic has agreed a two year contract.
Score prediction: Hearts happy 3-2.
Kilmarnock v Dundee United Prediction
- The BBSP Stadium Rugby Park
- Kick-off: 3pm
- Rankings: 12th versus 11th
Kilmarnock preview – An early season basement battle pitting the bottom two sides together. Killie fill last spot reflecting two successive defeats and alarmingly nine goals conceded. They’ve rejected a £150,000 bid tabled by Burton Albion for defender George Stanger.
Dundee United preview – The single point gained keeps them above Saturday’s hosts. Dundee United are still smarting after last Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat at the hands of very near neighbours Dundee.
Meanwhile, midfield man Julius Eskesen has moved from Tannadice to Finland club Kuopion Palloseura on loan with a permanent transfer earmarked for January.
Score prediction: Bleak 0-0.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
