SATURDAY .....

SPL: DUNDEE UNITED - SAINT MIRREN

We have talked about United the last two weekend's, the most recent is reproduced below. They won that 5-1 and are now up into the top six, they should have an eye on that fourth spot currently held by Hearts and a european place. They are currently six points off the pace but have a game in hand and two home games in the next four days, before travelling to Tynecastle next weekend, so they will be looking to go there with everything to play for.

Saints starting the season well, but are without a win in five SPL starts and are bound to be a little drained after a midweek cup trip up to the Highlands to meet Ross County, they won that replay 2-1 but it involved eight-nine hours on a bus, much on non motorway roads and played almost an hour with ten men ,now a trip to the division's form team ( Celtic aside ?) is far from ideal. However, they have a reasonable record in this fixture and normally find a goal, the pair shared four in the reverse fixture over New Year and at least two in five of their last ten visits here. I expect United to win, but think odds of around 1.76 are just about correct, maybe even a little short, but feel the "over" option at odds against offers real value, given the h2h record and that only Rangers have failed to score against the Arabs in ten starts and the Gers would not have scored if they were still out there now, it was one of those days for the troubled Glasgow giants. 1.75 units "over" 2.5 goals 2.14 asian line.

Back later.

11/02

SPL : ST JOHNSTONE- DUNDEE UNITED

We discussed how poorly Glasgow Rangers played against Dundee United last sunday, but we also have to give credit to The Arabs for their performance, they were very professional and allowed Rangers almost no goal scoring chances and must be delighted with the cleansheet, their first in ten starts, goals have never been an issue for them and they have scored the most of any team outside the top five in the SPL. They can forget about the Cup for a month or two and concentrate on getting into the top six and the additional revenue that will bring. They make the very short 30 minute journey along the A90 to Perth to face Saint Johnstone, who have struggled on home soil recently, losing four of their last six ( 7 of 12) and collecting 63% of their points on the road this season. United have a fantasitic record here, 6-2-2 in ten visits, unbeaten in four, eight home and away and keeping six clean sheets in the process. United have only lost one of six on the road ( at Celtic) and only one to a non "Old Firm" team all season. They have the pace up front to really scare teams on the break and I can see them getting a lot of joy, especially down the left in this game, Saints also have a cup replay scheduled with Hearts in midweek and they might be tempted to give one or two players who are doubts for today, the extra couple of days to recover. I really like the visitors with the draw no bet option. 1.5 units Dundee United level ball 2.05 asian line.