Odds on for Hearts beating

Dec 2 2011 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

SINCE arriving back in the SPL, St Johnstone’s record against Hearts has been impressive.

They’ve lost only twice in seven meetings and reasserted their authority with a 2-0 home win two months ago.

Interestingly, only one team has scored in four of those seven duels.

Although the Saints are enjoying an excellent run, Hearts boast the SPL’s third best home record, hence they kick off as Stan James’s 11/10 favourites to secure maximum points with the draw priced at 12/5 by Ladbrokes.

By contrast, St Johnstone, who have taken 14 points from their last eight games, are priced at a hefty-looking 10/3 with Totesport to capture three points tomorrow, odds which appear a little too long, especially as they’ve lost only twice against sides in the top half of the table.

Punters mindful of this may entertain hopes of at least a draw, while the Saints are offered at 8/11 by Paddy Power to win when kicking off with a one goal start.

Backers who suspect that they may not require artificial assistance can get 7/2 (Skybet) against them enjoying a one goal margin of victory.

In other markets, St Johnstone are 5/1 with Boylesports to lead at the end of both halves, while Betfred post 4/1 about the match finishing in stalemate at 45 and at 90 minutes.

Yet should the Saints reach half time on level terms (5/4, Partybets), the prospect of a narrow away win would draw nearer. If they can open the scoring, the omens are even better: St Johnstone have a 100 per cent win record when notching the first goal, something they’re priced at 6/4 (Sportingbet) to do tomorrow.

St Johnstone are 15/2 (bet365) to win 1-0 and 7.0 (6/1) with Betdaq contest a 1-1 draw. Either way, Victor Chandler’s 9/5 for the game’s total goal minutes to be less than 73 is worth a look.

Odds supplied by Betrescue. Offer of the week: Open an account with Betdaq.com via betrescue and claim up to £200 in free bets.

See betrescue.com/freebets for details.