Saints favourites to take points

Feb 22 2008

SAINTS have enjoyed a decent run of form since they last played Morton a few weeks before Christmas.

They’re still involved in the Scottish Cup and can add momentum to the final third of their league season by securing three points at Cappielow Park tomorrow – a fixture which online firm Canbet.com make them their 10/11 favourites to win.

Morton, by contrast and under new management, priced at 9/4 by VCBet, have a endured an indifferent spell since the sides last met and their recent 2-1 home defeat by Clyde was the season’s low point for many of their fans. Another internet bookie, Betdaq, offers 13/5 against the draw with Davie Irons in charge for the first time.

St Johnstone succumbed to a late equaliser at McDiarmid Park back in December and while another close encounter cannot be discounted, the away side should register three points.

Such an outcome might be slow to materialise and punters who concur with this view may fancy the 6/5 offered at Coral.co.uk for the first half to end in stalemate, or the 7/4 chalked by bet365 against the opening period finishing goalless.

While Partybets’ odds of 9/2, offered to those who suspect both halves will end all square has obvious appeal, a majority of punters are backing the Saints to win. They’ve been persuaded by both Betfred’s 6/1chalked against a 1-0 away win, and the 7/1 Blue Square) offer against the Saints enjoying a 2-0 success. A similar betting pattern emerged when the sides met a few months ago and we know what happened then; it follows that the 11/2 chalked by Sportingbet in favour of a 1-1 score, or the 14/1 posted by Betdirect against another 2-2 outcome should not be dismissed out of hand.

*Odds supplied by Betrescue.com