Video: Craig Levein and John Collins previews Hearts v Hibs
HIBS have the chance to leapfrog their Edinburgh rivals as they take on Hearts at Tynecastle this Sunday. Hearts have not beaten Hibs since the Scottish Cup Final last season with a 5-1 victory, a victory which still humiliates many fans.
Hibs striker Leigh Griffiths was recently crowned Scottish Young Player of the year and he could prove to be the difference in what is sure to be a heated derby.
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Video: Gary Locke says Hearts players playing for their futures
HEARTS mangers Gary Locke says it's imperative the club finish as high as possible.With the financial situation at the club, the position the club finishes in is not only important regarding prize money, but also for the future of the Tynecastle squad.
Video: Dundee United confident ahead of Motherwell clash
SIMON Donnelly and Michael Gardyne preview the Friday night clash with Motherwell.
Both feel third place is still up for grabs, and a possible place in Europe.
Scotland v Wales: Why the smart money says a draw
THIS Friday, Gordon Strachan will lead out Scotland in his first competitive match in charge. An occasion like this usually means that the sporting media will remind you how intriguing and fiercely competitive it will be and just how important it is. The ESPN coverage will beat you over the head with clichés interspersed with over-the-top video montages of tough tackles.
However I can’t think about any of those things, as all I can feel is dread. Just dread. This is why when looking at possible bets for the game, my eye keeps returning to anything but Scotland.
The previous fixture in Cardiff, under the leadership of Craig “4-6-0” Levein, was a dire yet hypnotic affair where Scotland took the lead after which they defended deeper and deeper until Bale made a mockery of us in very different ways. Well this time, I expect a similar script.
For myself, the key object in a match like this is to not bet with your heart. Betting on Scotland over the years has only hurt my wallet and enjoyment of the game (not that I ever actually enjoy the game anyway). Looking at this as objectively as I can, the value centres around a low scoring draw.
Scotland’s home record is undeniably solid with only 5 competitive defeats in the last ten years.
However 3 of their last 4 games have been drawn. The edge that Scotland has when they play at home is evident for all to see and with the price of the draw at 5/2 with William Hill, I can’t turn that down.
Ian Rush: Wales have better players than Scotland
IAN Rush still remembers Joe Jordan’s dubious penalty against Wales that ended their 1978 World Cup dream.
Scotland were left reeling when Steven Fletcher's 'goal' was wrongly ruled out when the two nations clashed five months ago.
However the 51-year-old Rush has little sympathy, and said Jordan's handball at Anfield still rankles with him.
“I was in the Kop that day as a kid and I was surrounded by Scotsman and it was a big disappointment of course," said the ex-Liverpool hitman.
“The penalty decision obviously changed the game.”
On Friday night the Wales head to Hampden in Gordon Strachan's first competitive game in charge of Scotland. Rush is expecting a close match similar to the 2-1 win his homeland enjoyed last year.
“The penalty decision obviously changed the game.”
On Friday night the Wales head to Hampden in Gordon Strachan's first competitive game in charge of Scotland. Rush is expecting a close match similar to the 2-1 win his homeland enjoyed last year.
Two fans of Hearts and St Mirren preview the League Cup final
ON Sunday Hearts or St Mirren will lift the Scottish League Cup. Something we don't get to say often.
Hearts have not won the famous three handled trophy for 50 years. The Saints are yet to get their hands on it.
Following in the footsteps of Kilmarnock's triumph last year though, we are set for another historic occasion, with the trophy bypassing Ibrox and Parkhead on the way to either Paisley or Edinburgh.Hearts-daft Matthew Harold, and Saints fan Holly McCormack, put their cards on the table and tell us how they're getting ready for the Hampden showdown, and who is going to win.
Does the managerial uncertainty at Hearts give St Mirren an advantage?
Holly: A few weeks ago Saints beat Hearts in the league and whilst this
should've potentially been ideal preparation - it was ultimately the
final nail in John McGlynns coffin. Coupled with ongoing financial
situation in Edinburgh then on paper Saints should certainly have an
advantage.
Things don't tend to follow logic in reality and particularly
where St Mirren are concerned. The match will be a very even game but
think the bigger advantage held by Saints is having higher quality
players, many with crucial experience.
Matthew: It certainly has helped Hearts, knowing that Gary Locke will be leading the side out at Hampden.
The chaos that would have reigned if Peter Houston had been given the job prior to the final would have been unthinkable.
The chaos that would have reigned if Peter Houston had been given the job prior to the final would have been unthinkable.
Odds on Everton to come 4th this season
Currently there are not many bookmakers posting odds on a fourth place premiership finish for Everton, in fact the only way of making such a bet would be posting one at a betting exchange, but that can get fairly complicated. The best way of betting that Everton will come 4th is betting that the club will finish amongst the top 4 clubs; after all it is not very likely that they will finish in the top 3. The current odds of a top 4 finish range from around 5/1 to 8/1, so by choosing your bookmaker judiciously you can find what should be a value bet.
Alternatively if you think that Everton won’t quite make it to the number 4 slot and that the club is more likely to finish 5th or 6th, then you could consider betting that it will finish in the top 6. Here the bookmakers are far more circumspect, and typically prices are around 4/6, which although this would be a bet that you would likely win it would hardly win you a jackpot. If you are used to casino gambling, then you will know all about hedging your bets, and you might consider betting on both a 4th place and a 6th place finish, being careful to select the optimum stakes for each bet.
That kind of sports betting can get very complicated, so you need to be clear how to work out the odds. It is fairly similar to poker where you calculate pot odds in order to find value bets. If you are not that happy about calculating odds and you play at online casinos such as http://www.iphonecasino.co.nz for entertainment, then a great football game you can try is soccer safari slots. You don’t need to work anything out, just make your bet and go for the jackpot.
Alternatively if you think that Everton won’t quite make it to the number 4 slot and that the club is more likely to finish 5th or 6th, then you could consider betting that it will finish in the top 6. Here the bookmakers are far more circumspect, and typically prices are around 4/6, which although this would be a bet that you would likely win it would hardly win you a jackpot. If you are used to casino gambling, then you will know all about hedging your bets, and you might consider betting on both a 4th place and a 6th place finish, being careful to select the optimum stakes for each bet.
That kind of sports betting can get very complicated, so you need to be clear how to work out the odds. It is fairly similar to poker where you calculate pot odds in order to find value bets. If you are not that happy about calculating odds and you play at online casinos such as http://www.iphonecasino.co.nz for entertainment, then a great football game you can try is soccer safari slots. You don’t need to work anything out, just make your bet and go for the jackpot.
Video: John McGlynn praise for Kilmarnock ahead of Hearts clash
HEARTS manager John McGlynn has praised Kilmarnock ahead of the pair's meeting this weekend.Kenny Shiels' men are on a fine run of form at the moment; knocking Caley Thistle out of the cup then taking four points out of six against the sides in second and third place.
They have also won both meetings with the Jambos this season, and McGlynn is in no doubt his side have a tough fixture at Tynecastle.
