Motherwell's time to shine?

Are Motherwell genuine title contenders? After Saturday, football betting across the board may well see their odds fall dramatically.

 

The Steelmen are unbeaten at the top of the Scottish Premier League, and await their biggest test of the season when champions Celtic visit Fir Park on Saturday.

 

A win for the Hoops would possibly put them back on their familiar perch. Fans would begin to wake up from their dreams of a title fight, and only Rangers being in division three would appear to stop Scottish football's status quo.

 

However, Motherwell could provide a bloody nose to the Old Firm this week, and light up the game north of the border.

 

Tonight they travel to Ibrox to face Ally McCoist's beleaguered side. Usually they would be long odds to pick up a win, but they go as favourites.

 

Then on Saturday a home win in front of what is sure to be a packed Fir Park would give them a quite unbeleivable five point cushion at the top. With Celtic in less than emphatic form, nursing injuries, struggling to lift themselves without their old foes Rangers, and with one eye on the Champions League - suddenly Motherwell's eyes might just start to sparkle with silverware.

 

At the moment they are 33/1 to win the title. Long odds, but compare that to second place Hibernian, who remain 125/1 despite just one defeat this season, including a 2-2 draw at Celtic Park.

 

Also compare it to the Premier League odds down south. Sure, the top four are all close, but outside that Tottenham - despite their millions - are 50/1 to topple the big guns.

 

Are the bookies starting to be wary? What looked a sure bet at the start of the season is looking shaky. In a week that could set the tone for the season, should fans who love a gamble be putting the cash on Motherwell to cause one of Scottish football's biggest upsets of all time?