Saints ready to make inroads to the South

Sep 19 2008

CONSIDERING the craziness evident in financial markets over the past few days, football’s relative calm will come as a blessed relief tomorrow as Saints seek to emulate last weekend’s morale-boosting win at Ross County.

After a shaky start, that success would suggest they’re ready to start making inroads on teams such as tomorrow’s opponents, Queen of the South.

Before getting too carried away, however, it’s worth recalling that the Doonhammers beat St Johnstone 3-1 in the corresponding fixture last term, although bet365’s odds of 2/1 posted against an away success suggests a considerably closer affair.

With Queens unbeaten at home, Canbet.com have installed them as their 13/10 favourites, although the 11/10 offered by VCBet for Saints to be in front at half-time is enticing. Furthermore, bearing in mind the sides have shared seven goals in their last two outings, the 10/11 available at Sportingbet for more than 2.5 goals is certainly worthy of consideration.

Palmerston Park has proved a fortress this season – hardly surprising considering Gordon Chisholm’s men conceded just nine goals throughout the whole of last term – and it is a record which accounts for a succession of correct score wagers.

Betdirect’s 6/1 for the home side to register a 1-0 win has proved popular, closely followed by the 7/1 available at Partybets for a 1-0 Saints’ success. Blue Square chalk a hefty 10/1 against a 2-0 away win.

In other markets, Betfred rate the chances of Saints being in front at 45 and 90 minutes as a 7/2 shot, while online firm Betdaq post a tantalising 9/2 against them emerging victorious following a drawn first period.

Astute punters prepared to venture into bet365’s handicap market can get 2/5 in favour of an away win when Saints kick off with a one-goal start, while Coral’s 8/1 for Saints to record another 2-1 win catches the eye.

Odds supplied by Betrescue.com.