SPL weekend predictions: Night versus Day at Celtic Park

 

We were so close to a very fruitful midweek. We won our initial stake of £10 back (give or take 50p) when our first bet of Celtic -1 v Helsingborgs came in. In addition, our cheeky £1 bet on 1-0 Hearts at Anfield, at generous odds of 20-1, looked like it was going to come through when David Templeton rattled Pepe Reina, but three minutes from the end Luis Saurez ended the Jambos Europa League dreams and blew apart our wager.

 

However, a big win is coming, and the month of August saw us rake in over £30 in winnings with Ladbrokes.com.

 

This week, we're focusing on Celtic v Hibernian. The home side are in dreamland after defeating Helsingborgs home and away to make the Champions League, then drawing Barcelona, Benfica and Spartak Moscow.

 

That was in stark contrast to Hibs' midweek. While Celtic were winning their place amongst Europe's elite, Hibs were coming unstuck against lower league opposition, with Queen of the South putting paid to any hopes Pat Fenlon had of leading the Hibees back to Hampden quickly in order to erase the nightmare memory of May's Scottish Cup final.

 

Hibs had just began picking up a few positive results in the league, giving their supporters hope they were going to be served better fare than last season, but the dark clouds are now back over Leith.

 

We can't see anything other than a home win, though the debate on this week's podcast was over the score.

 

Paul Deeney was adamant Celtic will win comfortably, to the tune of either 3-0 (13/2) or 3-1 (10/1).

 

He said: "I think Celtic will come out, play well, and be on a high from making the Champions League.

 

"Hibs are a better team than last year, but I expect celtic to be quite dominant. Hibs will have their flurrys and chances, but celtic have been quite solid - save for losing two late goals at Caley - and they should win comfortably."

 

I'm though going to say a tight 2-1 (8/1). Pat Fenlon knows another struggle this season will see calls for him to be sacked, and the cup upset will have added to the pressure. He'll have his side fired up, but with the Hoops now playing to be in the 25 man Champions League squad this is not the time for a dip in form and they'll do enough for the win.

 

In the other five games we couldn't agree on many of the results. The only ones we're sure of are Aberdeen to grab their first home win of the season against St Mirren, and Ross County to extend their unbeaten run with a draw against Kilmarnock.

 

A double on both of them results gives us a potential return of £13.53 for a cheeky £2 bet.

 

 

£1 singles Celtic v Hibs

3-0 (13/2)

3-1 (10/1)

2-1 (8-1)

 

£2 double

Aberdeen v St Mirren (home win)

Ross County v Kilmarnock (draw)

 

All odds are from the Ladbrokes.com website. Click the link above and open an account today, then bet along with The Away End through-out the season as we attempt to win you money.