Betting on St Johnstone versus Hearts

Jan 29 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

NEITHER St Johnstone or Hearts won in midweek but both teams may feel tomorrow’s encounter represents a good opportunity to secure three points.

St Johnstone secured an excellent 2-1 victory at Tynecastle courtesy of a late Johansson winner when the sides last met in November, but the record books show that this fixture has a history of ending in stalemate. Exactly half of their last 16 duels have finished level, adding appeal to Ladbrokes’ 12/5 odds for tomorrow’s encounter to finish as a draw.

Though they’ve only won twice on the road this season, Hearts arrive at McDiarmid Park as Stan James’s 13/8 favourites. So despite enjoying home advantage, the Saints actually kick off as 7/4 underdogs according to online bookie Jaxx.com. However, given the stalemate statistic, there has been steady support for the draw across several different markets.

For example, William Hill’s 11/10 for the opening period to end with honours even has proved popular, as has the 6/1 posted by Totesport against a 1-1 outcome at 90 minutes. Punters can also get a massive 4/1 at Victor Chandler about both halves finishing on level terms.

In addition, bet365’s 6/5 odds for St Johnstone to win in the firm’s ‘draw no bet’ market – where stakes are returned in the event of a stalemate – has also caught punters’ attention.

A number of wagers have obviously taken account of the seven goals the pair have scored in their two meetings this season. Betdaq’s 11/10 for there to be more than two tomorrow has attracted steady support, while many punters believe that bet365’s even money odds for the total goal minutes to exceed 125 falls into ‘nap’ territory.

Elsewhere, Partybets rate the Saints an 11/10 shot to open the scoring and bet365 offer a longish-looking 7/4 about them retaining a clean sheet. In Betfred’s handicap market, St Johnstone are 4/7 to win when handed a one goal start.

Finally, punters expecting St Johnstone to maintain their goalscoring form tomorrow can get 11/1 (Paddy Power) against them winning 2-1, while 888Sport chalk 7/1 about a 2-0 home success.

Odds supplied by Betrescue.com