Pushing the adventure out further

Jan 13 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

LAST season’s cup adventure, as nobody with Saints loyalties will need reminding, ended at Hampden Park as the Perth side were beaten by Rangers on penalties in the semi-final.

The luck of the draw on this occasion means that Derek McInnes’s side start their campaign against the same opposition, the holders, and St Johnstone will again start as considerable outsiders; Betdaq making them 9/1 to cause an upset this evening and Betfred posting 4/11 against Rangers progressing at the first attempt.

The draw meanwhile, is 4/1 with Victor Chandler but after they ran the ‘Gers so close back in April, there may be a few punters that believe that Saints, with home advantage this time, can again ensure the contest is at least all square at full-time.

For them, another goalless encounter is chalked up by Sportingbet at 18/1 and a 1-1 scoreline, mirroring the result after extra-time from the pair’s previous meeting, is on offer with Betdirect at 9/1.

Saints ensured the last contest was level at the end of each half, a feat they’re 6/1 (Coral) to repeat here and in the handicaps, their status as underdogs means they are given a goal start by Boylesports at odds of 2/1.

However, confident McDiarmid Park regulars might fancy their side to stun Walter Smith’s men without any artificial assistance.

Eye-catching wagers for the bold include Blue Square’s 40/1 for Saints to edge it 2-1, Jenningsbet’s 18/1, marked against a home win sealed despite an even first half and bet365 quote McInnes’s charges at 11/4 to break the deadlock.

The opener meanwhile is 10/1 with Stan James to arrive courtesy of injury doubt Steven Milne in a tie that is 1/2 (Jaxx.com) to produce more than 2.5 goals.

Odds supplied by www.betrescue.com