Last weekend’s Scottish Premiership proved a decent one for card-hunting, with Andre Raymond (11/2) and Simon Murray (4/1) both being booked in St Johnstone’s Tayside derby defeat at Tannadice versus Dundee United and Dundee’s dramatic draw in Edinburgh against Hibernian respectively.
This weekend is the last before a boring international break – particularly as a Scotland supporter – so it’s worth browsing around the grounds and trying to hunt for some value before we bid farewell to proper football for a fortnight.
Scottish Premiership: Dundee vs St Mirren
I backed St Johnstone’s Andre Raymond – who had been carded in two of his last three matches before the weekend against Aberdeen and Rangers – to be shown another yellow away to Dundee United, so I’m hoping to repeat the feat with another left-back making their way into the referee’s notepad.
ZIYAD LARKECHE to be shown a yellow card at 4/1 is another pretty big price, considering the French full-back was booked against both Hearts and Hibs – despite committing just one foul in both games – in the Dee’s latest duo of Scottish Premiership games.
The 21-year-old is on loan from QPR, and perhaps inexperience is coming to the fore, being punished for silly tackles against the capital city clubs. We’re hopeful he won’t cut that out of his game just yet against a St Mirren side that caused Dundee several problems last season.
Having impressed in Scotland so far, he should be a certainty to start. With both Dundee and St Mirren occupying the top six places last season, this match is a big one as both teams look to try and cement top-half finishes once again this campaign.
(Ziyad Larkeche booking is currently best priced at 4/1 with bet365)
St Johnstone vs Motherwell
St Johnstone host Motherwell in Perth without star striker Adama Sidibeh, following the Gambian’s sending off in Saints’ defeat to Dundee United last weekend. His partner, Swedish striker Benji Kimpioka, is probably a certainty to start.
However, with Saints at home, it’ll be interesting to see if Craig Levein tinkers with formation slightly. Should he opt to continue to name two up front, NICKY CLARK at 3/1 to score anytime against the Steelmen looks worthy of a little nibble.
The Scotsman would be the next chosen to lead the line given Sidibeh’s absence, potentially alongside Kimpioka, and scored seven Scottish Premiership goals last season despite a campaign hampered by injury.
Two of Clark’s seven last season came against Motherwell, the first in a draw at McDiarmid Park back in November, as he netted the opener in the two teams’ last meeting in Motherwell as Saints secured their top-tier status with victory at Fir Park.
If he’s named in the starting eleven and has a potential point to prove, I’d expect the 3/1 best price (available at bet365) to be shortened.
You can always click the “Void if player doesn’t start” button with the aforementioned bookie to ensure that your money doesn’t go to waste if you are not given the nod.
Ross County vs Aberdeen
Considering Ross County was eliminated from the Scottish League Cup by League 2 side Spartans and have just been humiliated at Hampden, where they conceded six to a rampant Rangers, ABERDEEN to emerge victorious in Dingwall at 21/20 seems very generous.
The Staggies have scored just one Scottish Premiership goal so far, a late leveller from Ronan Hale, to rescue a point at home to Dundee United. Whilst they’re looking to make home advantage count in this one, they’re up against a team with the Midas touch at the moment.
The Dons are on fire, having made eight straight victories to kickstart the campaign under new manager Jimmy Thelin. The Swede has seen the Reds cruise through their Scottish League Cup campaign into the quarter-finals, and they’re one of two teams to have taken maximum Premiership points so far.
Momentum is massive, and with Ross County at sixes and sevens defensively last weekend, the Dons will be looking to make it a fantastic four straight Scottish Premiership win and claim their ninth victory in all competitions this season without reply.
They were EVENS earlier in the week with more high-profile bookmakers, but QuinnBet has provided the best price without the Early Payout or 2Up luxury.
(Best priced with QuinnBet at 21/20)