DAILY RECORD star Mr Fixit (@mrfixittps) shares his best bets from Boxing Day’s Scottish action.
Aberdeen v Celtic | Wednesday 26th December 2018, 14:00 | BT Sport
Aberdeen were struggling to make the top six a few weeks ago – now they’re just three points off the summit. The Dons have set up a Boxing Day cracker against Celtic and they’ll go level with the champions with a victory.
Derek McInnes’s men have won four in a row and if it wasn’t for a poor record against the Hoops I’d consider backing them at 5/1 at 888. Celtic are 1/2.
But they’ve lost five in a row at home to Celtic and this season both meetings have been 1-0 defeats including a Betfred Cup semi-final at Hampden.
Brendan Rodgers has been missing key players such as Odsonne Edouard, Leigh Griffiths, Ryan Christie and Kieran Tierney and while some could be back others will be saved for Rangers on Saturday.
Remarkably these sides haven’t drawn in 28 games – six years – so we must be due one and I’m backing the stalemate at 33/10 with Marathon.
Young hitman Sam Cosgrove is in a rich vein of form with six goals in four and is 7/2 to net at anytime. That’s the same price as Mikey Johnston who has been leading the line for Celtic in the absence of Edouard and Griffiths – but make sure he starts before backing him.
A third 1-0 win for Celtic this season pays 5/1 at 888 while not to both teams score is 8/11 – and that’s come up six in a row.
It’s a bet I don’t like backing and if you prefer Both Teams To Score that pays 6/5 but it’s difficult to ignore the trend.
The ref for this live TV showdown is Willie Collum and while he’s got a reputation for handing out cards as if every day is Christmas he’s calmed down a bit.
In his last three Scottish games he’s shown four yellows and no reds although in charge of Juventus v Valencia and Red Star v PSG in the Champions League in the past month he handed out 14 yellows.
Collum’s given four reds this season and another one at Pittodrie is possible between two fierce rivals so take the 10/3 (Boylesports) he sends at least one player off here.
Rangers v Hibs | Wednesday 26th December 2018, 15:00
Rangers are just one point behind Celtic after their last-gasp win against St Johnstone on Sunday. Now they face a Hibs side who they should have blown away at Easter Road last week.
That game ended 0-0 with Alfredo Morelos missing a handful of chances but he made amends with a double against Saints and is 5-4 with Unibet to score and 18/5 to net first.
Rangers should win but are 1/2 and that’s a little short against a side who have given them problems in recent seasons. Hibs are 5/1 with the draw 13/4.
Steven Gerrard will have one eye on the meeting with Celtic on Saturday but must get three points here first and I’m backing the home in what should be a good contest.
Hibs haven’t been great recently but did play well to beat Celtic but have won on two out of their last four trips to Ibrox and both teams have netted in three out of four. Back Both Teams To Score at 11/12 at Unibet.
Borna Barisic has already been ruled out after suffering a hamstring complaint during Sunday’s win over St Johnstone while Scott Arfield, Gareth McAuley, Ryan Jack and Ryan Kent are also doubts.
I’d be tempted to back Rangers on an accumulator but 1/2 for a single is poor considering the opposition so I’m going to risk Rangers and Both Teams To Score at 49/20 with 888.
Much has been said about the number of corners Rangers win and in their recent home match with the Hamilton they won the count 22-2 while winning the match just one.
That’s why the line is set so high at over 11.5 but if you like it take 11/10 from 10BET.
TOPICS Football Scottish Football Betting TipsBest Bets
Aberdeen v Celtic – Draw (33/10 Marathon)
Aberdeen v Celtic – A Red Card to be shown (10/3 Boylesports)
Rangers v Hibs – Alfredo Morelos to score (5/4 Unibet)
Rangers v Hibs – Both Teams To Score (11/12 Unibet)
Rangers v Hibs – Rangers to win and Both Teams To Score (49/20 888)
Rangers v Hibs – Over 11.5 Corners (11/10 10BET)
