Tough tie in prospect for Saints against high-flying Ross County

Feb 1 2008

THEY’RE currently a Second Division side but cup opponents Ross County should not be underestimated – particularly as they sit top of their league having suffered just one home defeat this term.

Granted, the Saints defeated Ross 2-0 at Victoria Park in a League Cup duel last September, but bookies have tightened their odds since – still pricing St Johnstone as their 5/4 favourites (VCBet), although Ross are hardly massive underdogs, offered at 2/1 by online firm Betdaq.

The pair have, until this season, been regular league opponents and the last three encounters at Dingwall have ended in score draws, an outcome that cannot be discounted tomorrow.

Internet bookie Canbet post 13/5 against the draw, while Coral.co.uk offer a tempting 11/10 in favour of the opening period ending in stalemate. In the correct score markets, a 2-2 draw is priced at 14/1 by Sportingbet.

Punters should also expect some goals – it’s 19 matches since the duo played out a goalless draw (hence it’s offered at 8/1 by Betfred tomorrow) and Blue Square’s 10/11 for the tie to produce more than two goals has obvious appeal.

Elsewhere, Partybets rate the chances of the Saints opening the scoring as a 6/11 shot and for punters who suspect that on this occasion one will be enough, Betfred also post 7/1 against a 1-0 away success.

In other markets, Betdirect’s 9/2 for both halves to end on level terms looks persuasive enough to justify a modest wager and it’s entirely possible that in order to ‘cover all bases’, the same punters might also take advantage of bet365’s 4/1 for St Johnstone to emerge victorious following a drawn first half.

Odds supplied by Betrescue.com