Run of form sees McDiarmid men backed to continue their winning run

Oct 19 2007

AFTER a start that could only be described as sluggish, St Johnstone’s impressive recent form appears to have finally provided their season with the kick-start it so urgently required.

They may still be eight points adrift of Hamilton (who face a tough encounter at Dunfermline tomorrow), but the Saints should secure another three points when they host Queen of the South.

Bookies have had little hesitation installing the home side as their uncontested favourites, with Extrabet offering the best price (3/5) against a home win, whereas the visitors arrive as William Hill’s massive 9/2 underdogs.

Some punters may feel that such a difference, in what is essentially a two-horse race, may be a tad too wide, but frankly, it’ a match which Saints should win at a canter.

Just in case, it’s worth noting that Stan James price the draw at an attractive-looking 3/1.

Given their recent run of good form, the home side’s odds against lifting the title have hardened – they’re now 5/1 with Blue Square and provided they continue to win games they were previously drawing, those odds will shorten further.

Queen of the South have scored just once on their last five visits to McDiarmid and there is little to suggest that trend is about to end.

Proof can be found in the correct score markets where the most popular outcome is a 2-0 home win, quoted at 6/1 by Coral James.

A 1-0 St Johnstone success is considered a 7/1 shot by VCBet, while a 3-0 win can be backed at 10/1 with bet365.

Odds supplied by Betrescue.com. For more odds comparisons, visit www.betrescue.com