ODDS ON: Your guide to the weekend's betting action with The Admiral
Published 28 Jan 2012 10:00
MORTON travel to Dumfries today to take on Queen of the South and this could be another tough away day.
After last week's scheduled trip to the Highlands to take on Ross County was rained off, Allan Moore's men will be keen to get back in action and keep up their recent good form.
Morton have a decent array of striking talent, so it seems strange that they have only netted 23 league goals this season - the same as the hosts who prop up the table.
Queens have also conceded just four more than the Greenock side, so this game is sure to be tougher than it looks on paper.
Coral can't split the teams either and the West Blackhall Street bookmaker has both sides at 8/5, with the draw a 12/5 shot.
Morton are unbeaten in four, and considering the conditions, I think both teams could be set for a share of the spoils.
The Admiral thinks a
1-1 draw looks the likely outcome, priced at 11-2.
Fans who think the Cappielow men will continue their good run should lump on the 2-1 at 8/1.
With Andy Jackson injured, any first scorer backers should look to
in-form Archie Campbell, inset, or Peter MacDonald to open proceedings.
Coral have the Morton HT-FT double result at an industry best price of 10/3, an attractive price for a side taking goalscoring form into a match against a team moving up the table.
Elsewhere, Celtic get a weekend off from league business, so Rangers have the chance to close the gap at the top at home to Hibs.
The Ibrox side are 1/4 to win, with the visitors 11/1 for three points. For those backing the draw, you can have 9/2 for a share of the spoils.
As mentioned in the Admiral's column previously, Rangers are struggling for a creative spark.
Sone Aluko has added a little flair, but if Nikica Jelavic departs in the January transfer window, it's hard to see where the goals are going to come from.
I think Rangers will still have too much for a Hibees defence that has continued to ship goals all season, and I'll take a punt on Maurice Edu pitching in with another goal from midfield to open the scoring at 10/1.
Take Rangers to win 2-0 at 5/1 and back the draw-Rangers double result at 3s.
Celtic will face Falkirk for a place in the final of the league cup tomorrow, and Coral's 2/7 looks a fair price.
Both sides are unbeaten in their last six outings, although Falkirk have failed to beat Raith and Ayr in their last two matches.
Anthony Stokes is this column's pick again at 3/1 to open the scoring in a 3-1 Celtic victory, priced at 10/1.
Falkirk's dangerous Farid El Alagui will pose a threat to the Old Firm side's defence and he is a big price at 12/1 to nick the first goal.
Celtic will have too much in attack for Falkirk and to lead HT-FT they are 8/11.
That will carry some of the Admiral's cash, and the Old Firm pairing could well land punters a nice double.
Five for a fiver
IT'S back to the minefield of FA Cup action this weekend and there may be a gem among some tricky ties.
Sunderland have been a side reborn since the arrival of Martin O'Neill, and they look a solid bet against a Middlesbrough side certain to be more interested in chasing promotion than a cup run.
Take Sunderland at 8/13 to progress in the 90 minutes.
The Black Cats don't play until Sunday, so lets hope our Saturday selections can keep us afloat until our banker bet.
The promotion race in League One in England is really hotting up, with Jordan Rhodes' goals keeping Huddersfield in the mix.
They travel to Tranmere this weekend to face a side without a win in five outings.
The even money at Coral looks to be a good price.
Fellow promotion hopefuls Charlton currently lead the race for the Championship and they will be hopeful of securing another three points away to struggling Exeter.
Charlton have been on a tremendous run of form, while the home side have one win in six games.
Coral offer 5/6 for the away side and that looks to be a fair price to me.
North of the border, Airdrie have been scoring plenty of goals in Division Two and I like the look of them at home to Stirling Albion today.
Airdrie have scored an incredible 42 times - double the visitors tally for the season - but they have also shipped 47 goals to leave them sixth in the table.
However, they should have too much going forward for Stirling and Coral's 5/6 is appealing.
Ross County are fresh from a week off and will be confident of seeing off Livingston at Victoria Park. They are 4/6 to take all three points from the clash.
The five-fold pays an attractive £82 for our £5 bet this week.
Going live
ANYONE lucky enough to be able to pick up ITV1's English regions can look forward to a FA Cup cracker at lunchtime.
Liverpool (8/5) host old rivals Man Utd (17/10) in what is sure to be a fiery affair.
United looked back to their best at the Emirates Stadium last week and I fancy the away side to triumph 2-1 at 9/1.
Both teams to score also looks a sound investment at 8/11 in this weekend's 12.45pm kick-off.
ESPN will be showing Newcastle (10/11) at Brighton (11/4) at 5.30pm, and this is one to wait for team news on, as the Magpies may rest several key men.
Regardless of who the Geordies field, Scottish international striker Craig Mackail-Smith still looks a decent bet to open the scoring at 15/2.
There is more FA Cup action on ITV1 on Sunday at 1.30pm, as Sunderland (4/6) host Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light (4/1).
With promotion still within touching difference for the championship side, I think Middlesbrough could rest players and Sunderland minus a goal at 7/4 looks an attractive bet, as does Connor Wickham at 6s for first goal.
Arsenal (8/13) should be too strong for Aston Villa (9/2) in ESPN's tea time match.
The inside track
As the Cheltenham Festival countdown continues, the 2.35pm Cheltenham is the Argento Chase which sees more hopefuls get a final workout before the big day.
Time For Rupert(7/2) looks to have regained his form with a win last time out.
With Denis O'Regan now on-board, this might just be the last piece of the puzzle for a horse that has shown huge potential in the past.
The Cleeve Hurdle at 3.40pm is shaping up to be another stroll for Big Buck's(2/7). Looking down the card, place money could be returned from Five Dream each way at 16/1.
He has finished second to Big Buck's on two occasions this season, and will have less weight to carry than the last time.
This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 28 Jan 12
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