Can Saints double-up against the Hoops?

Dec 16 2011 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

FROM an all-time low in midweek, McDiarmid Park will host one of its bigger crowds of the season for the visit of Celtic on Sunday.

In action in Europe last night, the Glasgow side has conceded just two goals in their last six league matches, scoring 13 in reply.

Much of Celtic’s goalscoring credit goes to Gary Hooper, a man who has notched 10 Premier League goals this term and the Saints will have to watch him like a hawk; he’s 18/5 at Victor Chandler to open the scoring.

It’s a match St Johnstone start as Betfred’s colossal 7/1 underdogs, whereas the visitors are Partybets’ 1/2 choice.

Neil Lennon’s men have lost only twice on the road and Skybet’s 13/8 for Saints to win when handed an artificial one-goal start is bound to tempt punters mindful the Perth outfit are the only side to have inflicted a home defeat on Celtic this term.

Elsewhere, Stan James post 10/11 about both teams finding the net and Ladbrokes offer the Saints at 13/5 to open the scoring.

The visitors boast an outstanding record when leading at half time – they’ve been in front at 45 minute 10 times this season and gone on to win nine, hence Sportingbet’s mighty 11/2 for St Johnstone to hold the lead at the break. The same firm chalks 13/10 against it being level.

Odds supplied by Betrescue.com

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