Rangers are seeking a fourth straight SPL title but we reckon Celtic, at 17/20 (Sportingbet), can deny their Old Firm rivals by clinching top spot.
Rangers scooped their 54th league championship, making it three in a row as they edged out bitter rivals Celtic by a solitary point last season, however, on the eve of the SPL’s restart, Ally McCoist’s charges aren’t expected to keep their Old Firm foes at bay again and they’re subsequently 11/10 with bet365 to clinch a fourth consecutive title.
Celtic are 17/20 courtesy of Sportingbet to end up on top of the table and Neil Lennon’s men are tough to oppose given the strength of their squad and the fact that they have no Champions League distraction, although their Europa League commitments remain intrusive enough.
As ever, it’s hard to envisage anything other than a two-horse title race – hence Hearts’ championship odds of 67.0 (66/1) with Betdaq and Totesport – but the battle to be the best of the rest is intriguing nonetheless.
The Jambos are worthy favourites at 5/4 (Betfred) but it would be dangerous to write off Dundee United (7/2, Paddy Power), especially if they cling on to David Goodwillie while Hibs, a 9/1 chance at Boylesports, should be much improved this time around and each-way punters might fancy Partybets’ 16/1 marked against last season’s surprise package, Inverness.
At the bottom, promoted Dunfermline are expected to struggle and Skybet make them 5/2 favourites to drop back into Division One, however it’s St Mirren that catch the eye at 3/1 with to be the wooden spoon recipients; the Buddies managed just eight wins last term, averaging less than a goal a game and they look set for another tough campaign.
Celtic’s Gary Hooper and ‘Gers marksman Nikica Jelavic meanwhile, are tipped to battle it out to be top scorer, the duo both quoted at 3/1 by Stan James and Ladbrokes respectively to bag the most league goals.
Recommended Bets:
Celtic to win the SPL – 17/20 (Sportingbet)
St Mirren to finish bottom – 3/1 ()
Compare all Scottish Premier League odds and bet at the best price.
