The Scottish Premiership continues to reward smart punters every gameweek. The over 2.5 goals market, especially, has been the go-to, with the league averaging 2.7 goals per week this season.
After 25 matches, Celtic have their sights set on an eighth title in the last nine seasons. The Bhoys currently lead their rivals, the Rangers, with nine points and have outscored every team. Indeed, it is difficult to see them relinquish their lead, yet the Gers will be on hand to take advantage of any slip-ups or rough patches.
The fight to avoid the drop is also rife, with only seven points separating St. Johnstone in eighth place and Dundee United in bottom place.
Eight matches, at least, are left to play in the first phase, and a lot could still change with regard to the different continental qualification spots as well as the relegation places. In the same vein, some consistent patterns have been observed amongst the teams that could help punters make informed choices on their bets.
Here are four of them:
Over 2.5 Goals In Matches Involving Hearts
It is fair to say that the Hearts are simply where they should be this season. A third-place finish seems right given the inherent quality of the teams above them.
After finishing in last place three seasons ago and being relegated to the Championship, the Jambos, as they are fondly called, had a superb comeback last term.
Yet, if there are any question marks about this team this season, it is its vulnerable defence. Robbie Neilson’s men have conceded more goals in 25 matches than they did in 33 matches in the previous campaign.
The difference, of course, is their participation in the Europa Conference League, where they failed to progress to the knockout stages after four losses in six matches.
The Edinburgh-based side had to make priorities, especially with regard to the line-up before and after a continental match. There was also the issue of fatigue and exertion.
So far, only Hibernian have conceded more goals than Hearts among teams in the top six. They have played 16 matches with over 2.5 goals, including three of their last four league matches.
Goal/Goal In Matches Involving Motherwell
Motherwell had a decent season last term, finishing in the top six. Yet somehow, their inability to name a permanent manager has stalled their progress.
Interim manager Keith Lasley took over on an interim basis after the retirement of Stephen Robinson. And now, Stuart Kettlewell is in charge temporarily after a poor streak of results by the Wells, who now languish in ninth place. In fact, they are only three points above Dundee.
Before yesterday’s win against St. Mirren, Motherwell had gone on a 12-game winless streak. They have also found scoring difficult this season, relying on Kelvin van Veen, who has scored almost half of the team’s total goals.
Riku Danzaki and Jonathan Obika, who joined this season, are yet to make their mark. Motherwell have recorded 15 goal/goal matches, including their last three matches in all competitions.
This is certainly a lucrative bet option for smart punters in the Scottish Premiership.
Over 1.5 Goals In Matches Involving Rangers
Rangers were only four points behind their rivals last season in the title challenge. Yet, they would count it a successful season after going as far as the Europa League final, only losing 5-4 to Frankfurt on penalties.
This season, they sailed through the Champions League qualifying stages but failed to win a single game in the group stages consisting of Napoli, Liverpool, and Ajax.
And while they have been outstanding in the Premiership, Celtic have been almost infallible, defeating just about every opponent.
Former Norwich City midfielder Todd Cantwell has made the move to the Ibrox Stadium and has made them even better. James Tavernier remains unplayable, scoring eight goals from his right-back position. Antonio Colak has also contributed 11 goals in attack.
Michaele Beale, who joined the club after Giovanni Van Bronchorst was fired following their poor outing in the UCL, has retained the side’s expressive attacking play and fluidity.
Rangers have played 23 over 1.5 goals matches this season. This is a must-have option for every punter with eyes on the Scottish division as they challenge Celtic for the title.
Celtic Win
While this might seem like a far-fetched option, it is the safest in the Scottish Premiership. Celtic have been in a class of their own, dropping points in only two league matches this season.
The Celts failed to win any game in the UCL. Perhaps not many would have expected anything different in a group that had Real Madrid, Leipzig, and Shakhtar Donetsk.
Yet, Ange Postecoglu’s men have blown away almost every opponent. Kyogo Furuhashi has continued where he left off last season, scoring 19 goals already.
The Scottish leaders have won 17 out of their last 18 matches. And with continental commitments now out of the way, this trend looks certain to continue.
If anything, three of their remaining eight matches in this phase are against teams in the top six and are at Celtic Park, where they have not dropped points.
