St Johnstone are second half stars

Feb 8 2008

TWO of the First Division’s form sides meet at Palmerston Park tomorrow, a ground which has yielded a succession of good results for the Saints over the past six years – and where they’ve lost on just three of their last ten visits.

Such is the calibre of their recent performances in Dumfries that Partybets’ double chance odds of 2/5, marked in favour of either a draw or St Johnstone win, has obvious appeal.

With Queen of the South losing only once in their last six and St Johnstone suffering a single reverse in their last eight, bookies have had difficulty splitting the pair.

In the end, Blue Square have made the home side a 13/8 chance, while Betfred post the same 13/8 against a Saints’ victory.

Given these odds, the draw, priced at 13/5 by online firm Canbet.com has, not surprisingly, attracted support.

The sides played out a memorable 3-3 draw back in August and the chances of tomorrow’s fixture yielding more than two goals is rated at 10/11 by Betdaq. Punters expecting a lively first half can get 7/1 at bet365 against the first 45 minutes ending 1-1, while Coral rate the chances of it finishing level as an 11/10 shot.

St Johnstone would be delighted to get to half time on level terms as they boast the best second half record in the First Division, a statistic which makes Betdirect’s 9/2 for the Saints to win following a drawn opening period look particularly attractive.

Those anticipating another high-scoring draw can get 14/1 (VCBet) against the match finishing 2-2, although punters wishing to eliminate the draw from their wager may prefer Sportingbet’s 3/4 odds chalked against a St Johnstone success in the firm’s ‘draw no bet’ market.

It’s the type of bet that would link well with longer odds in a multi-outcome wager and explains the appeal of Blue Square’s 9/1 for St Johnstone to win 2-1.

Odds supplied by www. betrescue.com