Quick on the draw for Saints and Morton

Jan 30 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

WHEN a side that has suffered just one home defeat all season meets another boasting a single away loss all term, it’s little wonder that astute punters begin mulling over the options for a draw.

Morton’s home and St Johnstone’s away records are, in terms of respective defeats, the best in the First Division, explaining the popularity of Coral’s 13/5 for tomorrow’s encounter at Cappielow Park to finish all square.

Such a result appears more likely when you consider that Morton have drawn their last three, while three of the last six league meetings between the pair have ended level, the other three being settled by a single goal. It promises to be tight.

Their meeting at Cappielow Park in August produced the third 2-2 draw in five matches, a unique record which adds to the appeal of Betdirect’s mighty 16/1 to finish two apiece tomorrow.

Recently, the fixture has yielded plenty of goals: the last eight meetings between the pair, including cup ties, have produced 30 of them, hence Sportingbet’s even money for there to be more than two successful strikes tomorrow has proved popular.

With one away defeat in 10, Saints start as Stan James’ 5/4 favourites to win, whereas Morton are offered at 2/1 by online firm Jenningsbet.

Given the propensity for this fixture to end with honours even however, punters have explored all manner of drawn possibilities, the 21/20 posted by Betfred against the opening half ending in stalemate proving especially popular.

In similar vein, Boylesports’ massive 9/2 for both halves to conclude as draws has also caught the eye, as has the 7/4 offered by bet365 against the first 45 minutes finishing goalless.

In other markets, Blue Square consider Saints a 15/4 shot to win when kicking off with a one goal deficit, although given how tight this fixture has been recently, that looks like a wager for the bold.

Shrewd punters might be inclined to hedge their bets in the correct score market where Betdaq post 7/1 against a 1-0 away success and Victor Chandler offer 6/1 about a 1-1 outcome. Those anticipating another goalfest may prefer the colossal 28/1 chalked by Jenningsbet for it to finish 3-2 in St Johnstone’s favour.

Odds supplied by Betrescue.com