Saints still go ahead as firm favourites in derby showdown

Apr 24 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

DESPITE St Johnstone’s last minute defeat by Queen of the South, the Perth side head into tomorrow’s Tayside derby with Dundee as 11/8 favourites according to online firm Jaxx.com, slightly longer than the 13/10 price offered when they last visited Dens Park in the autumn.

Matches between the two historic rivals are invariably a tight affair. Only three times in the last 31 league meetings has the outcome been settled by more than one goal, and 13 of those – including February's goalless encounter – have finished level.

Accordingly, Betdaq's 13/5 for the game to finish level has attracted considerable support.

Jocky Scott’s home side have no chance of securing SPL football next season, hence Boylesports' 15/8 price for them to win.

But when this fixture does produce a decisive result, history shows it has a habit of being in the home team's favour.

In the same market, Derek McInness’s men are 3/1 with Victor Chandler to be in front at the end of both halves and Stan James have posted 7/1 against a 1-0 away win – while Betfred offer 9/1 for Saints to record a 2-1 victory.

Another goalless draw (8/1, Boylesports) has been well backed, as has the 4/7 chalked by Sportingbet against the match yielding fewer than three goals.

A draw would hardly dent St Johnstone's title hopes and punters anticipating the third draw between the pair may fancy the 11/2 posted by bet365 against a 1-1 outcome.

Odds supplied by Betrescue.com