Jim Delahunt runs the rule over Celtic vs St Mirren, Rangers' trip to Motherwell, all the weekend action plus his acca

Scottish Sun

4 days ago

MORTON won both of their Cappielow League Cup group matches by 3-0 last month and Dougie Imrie's side can make a winning start in the Championship at home to Dunfermline.
Neil Lennon's visitors are slight favourites at 13/8 to bank an early 3 points on the road but the home side look big value at 9/5 and the 50/1 title outsiders can beat the 9/2 third favourites on day one.
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Morton boss Dougie Imrie
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
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He'll take on Neil Lennon this weekend
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
The 'Ton's 3-0 wins came against League One and Two opposition but they've booked a home tie against Scottish Cup winners Aberdeen in 2 weeks time and Billy Davies has joined Imrie's backroom staff for the new campaign.
The Pars host title favourites Ross County at East End Park later this month and only lost at Tynecastle after League Cup wins over Stirling, Hamilton and Dumbarton but Lennon's side may have to give best to a home side which finished 13 points above them last season.
COVE won home and away in their League Cup group, as well as drawing at home to Falkirk and I'm backing Paul Hartley's players to make a winning League One start at home to Queen of the South.
The home team are 6/5 to bank all 3 points at the Balmoral and they can beat a Queens side which will be glad to get back to Dumfries next Saturday after a tough League Cup group against Ross County and Partick.
FALKIRK make a welcome return to the top division of Scottish football against Dundee United on Sunday and I'm backing the Bairns to make a winning start at a general 17/20, live on Sky Sports.
John McGlynn has masterminded successive promotions with a side which has been partially rebuilt in the summer and the early indications in the League Cup point to continued success.
Home form is going to be vital for Falkirk's Premiership survival and a successful League Cup group campaign can be the foundation for an early 3 points despite midweek European success on the road for United.
The jury's out as to whether Kilmarnock have replaced the big players they lost along with Derek McInnes in the summer and I fancy newly promoted LIVINGSTON could be capable of a minor shock in the opening match of the Premiership season at Rugby Park.
Killie look like going off Evens or better after drifting in the betting all week, but Davie Martindale's visitors are still available at a tempting 5/2 and better and the new look Lions have been warming up nicely in the League Cup after praise for their new MX Elite pitch.
MK DONS have attracted plenty of support to win England's League Two this season and Paul Warne's charges can make a winning start to the campaign at home to Oldham at a general 7/10.
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The Dons have splashed their Kuwaiti cash to build a League One class side to win the division below and while the fireworks won't be expected until later in the season, Micky Mellon's National League play-off winners should be swatted aside.
PLYMOUTH left the Championship with all guns blazing after taking the FA Cup scalp of Liverpool and the Pilgrims can get their League One campaign off to a winning start at home to Barnsley.
Argyle are being rebuilt by Tom Cleverley and the former Watford boss can get off to a winning start at 5/4 against a Barnsley side probably bound for a mid-table finish.
Newly promoted DONCASTER can get off to a flyer at 17/20 at home to Exeter and STOCKPORT can kick off an 11/2 Sunday treble with FALKIRK and HIBS by winning the 12 noon kick-off against Bolton at 19/20.
Saturday SINGLE
LIVINGSTON have signed well after negotiating the play-off final against Ross County and I fancy the visitors to make a winning start in Ayrshire at 5/2.
Weekend ACCA
Four homes and one away over the full 3 days of the football weekend with the acca paying out at 32/1.
Morton 9/5
MK Dons 7/10
Hibernian 4/5
Falkirk 17/20
Hearts 11/10
CELTIC V ST MIRREN Sunday 4.30pm Sky Sports
Celtic kick-off the new campaign with a repeat of last season's final fixture at home to St Mirren and the champions are a best-priced 2/5 with Bet 365 to retain their title.
Saints crowned another top six finish with a 1-1 draw which looked like a win until James Forrest rescued Celtic but they're 13/2 to take a point and 14/1 to stun the flag day crowd by taking all 3 points.
Stephen Robinson's side have had plenty of match practice in the League Cup but it's too early to bet against Celtic and the home side to win to NIL looks fair at EVENS with Hills.
MOTHERWELL V RANGERS 5.30pm Sky Sports
Rangers' midweek trip to Athens proved successful by guaranteeing Europa League Group stage football at the very least and the pressure should be off for tonight's trip to Fir Park.
Jens Berthel Askou's home side are general 11/2 shots to take all 3 points with Betfred a standout 13/2 but visiting boss Russell Martin can utilise his attackers much more than he did in Greece and the general 2/5 for Gers looks about right.
Euro hero Djeidi Gassama is 21/10 on the anytime scorer list and that looks a decent wager with Martin sure to give him more minutes ahead of Tuesday's latest qualifier against Viktoria Plzen at Ibrox.
HEARTS V ABERDEEN Monday 8pm Sky Sports
Hearts have made an impressive start to the season under Derek McInnes and I'm backing the goal-hungry Jambos to bank an early 3 points against the cup holders at Tynecastle.
Despite being well-found in the early exchanges this week, Hearts can still be backed at 11/10 and that's top 5 material for me after a barrowload of goals in the League Cup.
Aberdeen might need a game or two to settle down after their explosive start to last season's campaign but Jimmy Thelin's side could easily notch a goal and 7/10 BTTS looks a decent saver.
DUNDEE V HIBERNIAN Sunday 3pm
Hibs head for Dundee after Thursday night's Easter Road heartbreak against Midtjylland and I'm backing David Gray's players to bounce straight back with a win at 4/5.
New Dens boss Steven Pressley has been making pessimistic noises after a couple of League Cup reverses but the home fans expectations remain high and the general 3/1 would have more takers if Simon Murray's fitness was guaranteed.
Hibernian will take a big support north despite Thursday's last minute Euro exit and at this stage of the season. I'd be more than hopeful that Gray has the players to bounce back quickly.
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