Game On: European hangover for Celtic?

 

If you've been following The Away End  predictions all season, you'll have now netted £52.47 from our bets.

 

Last weekend, Daniel Hayes correctly guessed that Celtic would win by at least two goals, though his accumulator fell apart with both Dundee United and Hearts in particular having a nightmare.

 

Therefore, what are our predictions all about this weekend? Celtic have scored five goals in the past week - away to Motherwell and Spartak Moscow - while Hearts couldn't contain Kilmarnock at home. So why are we predicting an unlikely draw when the two clash in Glasgow's East End?

 

The trouble is, Celtic have the European effect. We continually see a team return from Europe, even after bagging a great result which Celtic's Moscow win certainly was, and struggle to put in a big 90 minutes.

 

Hearts have had patchy form this season. They've been poor at home to Dundee and Kilmarnock, yet left the capital and spanked Dundee United 3-0. They are still capable of giving the top sides a game, and Celtic are still capable of dropping points as we've witnessed more than once this season already.

 

I expect a defensive Hearts will make life difficult for Neil Lennon's men and be hard to break down. £3 on the draw at 9/2 and £1 on the correct score of 1-1 would bring in £27.50.

 

I'm also putting a cheeky £1 on 2-1 Celtic, because I know the Hoops are still likely to struggle for 89 minutes then nick it with a late goal.

 

Elsewhere, it's the Highland derby tonight. A proper one at that, not this fake nonsense between Inverness and Aberdeen, but a proper local rivalry with newly promoted Ross County making the trip to the Caledonian Stadium.

 

I'm backing Terry Butcher's men, who destroyed Dundee United 4-0 last week, to bag another big win. Put it on as a double with St Johnstone to beat St Mirren. I've high hopes for Steve Lomas' men this season, and I can see them being in the top six again.

 

An Inverness Caledonian Thistle and St Johnstone double nets you £25.88 for a £5 bet.

 

 

September winnings: £18.72

Season winnings: £52.47

 

 

£5 double Inverness Caley Thistle/St Johnstone

 

Celtic v Hearts

£3 draw (9/2)

£1 1-1 (10/1)

£1 2-1 (8/1)