DAILY RECORD star Mr Fixit (@mrfixittps) shares his best bets from Wednesday night’s full card of Premiership action.
Motherwell v Celtic | Wednesday 5th December 2018, 19:45 | BT Sport
Celtic are riding the crest of a wave after winning a seventh successive trophy on Sunday. Following back-to-back trebles Brendan Rodgers’ side beat Aberdeen 1-0 to lift the League Cup.
Rodgers is on a remarkable run but there will be no complacency. Hours before his men raised the trophy, Rangers moved above them to top the table for the first time in seven years.
OK, so Celtic have played a match fewer but Rodgers will know it’s game-on with Steven Gerrard having transformed the Ibrox side.
On Wednesday Gers welcome old foes Aberdeen while Celtic visit Motherwell in the middle of a hectic spell. Killie travel to Celtic Park on Saturday and the Hoops host Red Bull Salzburg needing a point to reach the Europa League knockout stages.
So there is a chance Rodgers will make some changes with skipper Scott Brown a possible starter after recovering from injury. He and Olivier Ntcham were second-half subs at Hampden on Sunday and the Frenchman could also be handed a role.
Leigh Griffiths is another waiting in the wings while Dedryck Boyata is a doubt after being subbed in the final but Craig Gordon will return for League Cup keeper Scott Bain.
Celtic showed a bit of tiredness against the Dons and the likes of James Forrest, Ryan Christie and Kieran Tierney have played a lot of games recently.
Motherwell, who have lost number one keeper Trevor Carson for the season, have been more miss than hit but did beat Aberdeen 3-0 in their last Fir Park outing before a poor show at Livingston on Saturday.
Celtic should win but 2/7 (Betfred) isn’t a great price. If Brown starts consider Celtic and Under 2.5 Goals at 13/5 (Betway). With him in the team the Bhoys are more resolute but less exhilarating.
I’d like to see teams before betting on a First Goalscorer but Tom Rogic must be due one. He was close several times on his comeback against Rosenborg and hit the post at 0-0 in the final. He is 6/1 with BetVictor.
Rangers v Aberdeen | Wednesday 5th December 2018, 19:45
Steven Gerrard has guided Rangers to the top of the Premiership for the first time in seven years and he’ll be determined to stay there as long as possible. A battling win over Hearts at Tynecastle lifted them one clear of the seven-in-a-row champions Celtic albeit having played one more game.
On Wednesday, Gers welcome old foes Aberdeen and Celtic visit Motherwell in the middle of a hectic spell and an Old Firm double pays 6/5 – I backed it heavily on Sunday at a much bigger 8/5.
Rangers are 11/20 with 888 to beat a Dons side who played well despite losing 1-0 to Celtic in the League Cup final at Hampden. I’d have loved nearer evens but Aberdeen could be on a downer after another final defeat.
The Dons have a terrible recent record at Ibrox with only one win this century and are 4/1 to improve those figures while a draw is 18/5 at BetVictor. Lewis Ferguson scored the winning goal for Aberdeen when the two sides last met, in the League Cup semi-final.
Ibrox will be buzzing and I can’t see Rangers failing against a side who chased everything in the final. Alfredo Morelos has netted in his last seven league games and is 16/13 (Unibet) to make it eight in a row.
There seems to be a red card every time Rangers play these days and after Daniel Candeias walked against Villarreal it was Scott Arfield’s turn at Tynecastle. Ref Bobby Madden was slated by Hearts boss Craig Levein for being too lenient with Morelos and there’s no doubt the Colombian plays on the edge – and Aberdeen will be trying to wind him up.
Kilmarnock v Livingston | Wednesday 5th December 2018, 19:45
We have a title race in Scotland for the first time in years – and Kilmarnock are 150/1 to be crowned champions. I’m only joking of course. Steve Clarke’s side have enjoyed a remarkable year and should get some sort of award for sitting just two points off the top. But they can’t finish first can they?
I wonder if you’d get 150/1 in any other league in the world on a side sitting in third place – two behind leaders Rangers and one adrift of champions Celtic who are 1/6 to make it eight in a row.
It’s been a remarkable year for Killie and as always the question is: how long can they keep Clarke?
On Wednesday, his side entertain Livingston at home on the back of a superb 3-0 defeat of Hibs.
Livi are also enjoying a remarkable season and after two successive promotions sit proudly in the top six. Most of their positive results have come at home where they’ve lost just once and taken points off Rangers and Celtic – and on the road they have only one win.
So plenty of reasons to back Killie at evens with 188BET. Killie have conceded six goals in seven at home and Livi have netted four on the road – only St Mirren have netted fewer – so it could be a low-scorer.
Livi are tough side to break down and Killie and Under 2.5 Goals (12/5 Ladbrokes) looks a shout.
TOPICS Football Scottish Football Betting TipsBest Bets
Motherwell v Celtic – Celtic to win and Under 2.5 Goals (13/5 Betway)
Motherwell v Celtic – Tom Rogic to score first (6/1 BetVictor)
Rangers v Aberdeen – Alfredo Morelos to score at anytime (16/13 Unibet)
Kilmarnock v Livingston – Kilmarnock to win and Under 2.5 Goals (12/5 Ladbrokes)
Kilmarnock v Livingston – Kilmarnock to win (1/1 188BET)
