Division One’s top two collide in Perth

Jan 23 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

FOLLOWING draws for both sides last weekend, Division One’s top two meet at McDiarmid Park tomorrow for what promises to be another close encounter.

A win for the Saints would put them eight points clear of their nearest rivals. Defeat would leave the Pars only two points adrift.

Liam Craig’s winner guaranteed three important points for St Johnstone when the teams met at East End Park in November and home advantage, combined with a record of just one defeat in 16 ensures that unlike the autumn, Saints start as Blue Square’s 10/11 favourites this time out.

By contrast, Dunfermline kick off as Victor Chandler’s 3/1 outsiders to secure three points despite winning more away matches than any side in the division.

But it is the draw that has attracted most attention. The cause of such circumspection is easily explained: 10 of the last 19 league meetings between the pair have ended all square, while six have been settled by a single goal, hence the popularity of Boylesports’ 11/4 for tomorrow’s fixture to end with honours even.

St Johnstone, who have not beaten Dunfermline at home in the league since November 1995, are a lengthy-looking 11/4 (Stan James) to win when kicking off with a one goal deficit, an indication that bookies anticipate another tight affair.

Punters expecting something similar can get 6/5 (Coral) against it being level at half time, while bet365 chalk 15/8 against it being goalless at 45 minutes. Those who consider the half time outcome to be the basis for a second half trend may fancy the 9/2 available at Betdirect for both halves to end all square.

Elsewhere, punters can get 8/11 (Betdaq) against the match yielding fewer than three goals, while Sportingbet post 3/4 about both sides managing to score; a goalless outcome is rated a 9/1 shot by Jenningsbet.

Nonetheless, the 6/1 chalked against a 1-0 home success by online firm Jaxx.com has attracted considerable support, while the 7/1 offered by Betfred for the Saints to record another 2-1 win has proved equally popular. In other markets, Coral’s 11/4 for Saints to emerge victorious following a drawn first period catches the eye, although bullish punters may prefer the 15/4 available at Victor Chandler for the Saints to be in front at the end of both halves.

Odds supplied by Betrescue.com