Ladbrokes SPFL: Tight Celtic win and Clyde success expected

With just one of the top seven winning last time out it is clear that things can all change in the Ladbrokes Premiership before the season is out.

We don’t have to wait long for our next installment with a full quota of midweek fixtures in Scotland’s top tier.

League leaders Celtic may have been held by Hamilton last Friday, but are imperious on their own patch, having scored 16 goals in their last four league games at Parkhead.

It might not be quite so straightforward against a Dundee side that have conceded just one goal in their last five. While the Bhoys should have enough, backing them to win by a solitary goal at 10/3 looks good value.

Nearest challengers Aberdeen have won four of their last five, but take on the equally refreshed Dundee United, with the bottom side winning two on the spin.

Whether they can continue that run is unclear, but with eight of the Terrors’ last nine league fixtures seeing three or more goals, backing another goal-fest could be the way to go at 10/11 on over 2.5 goals.

Kilmarnock must be looking over their shoulders at United and will need to improve their recent record that has seen them net more than once in just one of their last seven games.

Opponents Ross County have fired a blank in three of their last four away games in the league, so a low-scoring affair could be the cards.

Hearts have an excellent chance to improve their record that has seen them beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle once in the last five years in the league on Tuesday at Tynecastle.

The Jambos have not lost in the league on their own patch since September, while the Caley Jags have won just one of their last six on the road.

Finally, the inconsistent Partick Thistle take on the equally inconsistent St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.

Calling a winner is tough, but with the Saints failing to take the lead in any of their last 12 fixtures, backing Partick’s Kris Doolan (11/2) to open the scoring could be the way to go.

Ladbrokes Championship

Hibernian will need to bounce back quickly if they are to stop Rangers extending their lead when they visit Queen of the South.

The Hibees’ away form won’t give them a huge amount of confidence having won just one of their last five on the road. Queens have lost just one of their last six at home and might be value.

The aforementioned league leaders host Raith after leaving it late to see off St Mirren, bidding to extend their run that has seen them win 15 of their last 17 league games at Ibrox.

They haven’t scored more than one goal in any of their last five games though, so it’s hard to put anyone off backing a 1-0 home win at 5/1.

Having taken the Glasgow outfit a long way on Saturday, St Mirren could be the side to pull off a shock this week at 11/5.

The Buddies have won their last three on their own patch and host a Falkirk side that have won two of their last seven – hardly promotion form.

At the bottom of the table Alloa will need to start plugging the gap to the sides above them, starting with a trip to Dumbarton.

However, the Sons shocked Hibs last weekend and will come into the game in high spirits, and will be tough to beat.

Livingston are the side sat in the relegation play-off spot and with just one win in front of their own fans since August, a visit of Greenock Morton won’t be a gimme.

The Ton have bagged two or more goals in five of their last six in all competitions and looks a huge price to triumph at 27/20.

League 1

The top two in the third tier sit this week out so it gives Ayr United a chance to close the gap with a home tie against Cowdenbeath.

It’s hard to know which Honest Men will turn up but with opponents Cowden prone to a high-scoring affair – their last four games have yielded 19 goals – going with the overs looks safe at 3/5.

There’s a huge clash at the bottom of the table as Brechin host Forfar.

The Loons have found some form of late, winning their last two so could be a spot of value to continue that winning run at 17/10 against a lacklustre City side.

The battle for the play-off places could be a hard fought one in the division and Albions’ game against Stenhousemuir could be a prelude of what’s to come.

Rovers have won their last five meetings with Stenny, keeping cleans sheets in their last four, so with their record looking strong, a home win at 20/21 is the bet.

League 2

There’s just one game to enjoy in League 2 this week as Clyde bid to make it four on the bounce at the expense of East Stirling.

The Shire have picked up five points from their last four away games so might be on something of an upwards curve but against a Bully Wee side that have won three on the bounce.

Their promotion push looks to be back on, and a flutter at their odds of 2/5 looks safe enough.

All odds and markets correct as of the date of publishing.