Saints betting

Apr 9 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

WHILE Aberdeen’s stop-start season meanders to a frustrating finale, St Johnstone will be confident of finishing their first term back in Scotland’s big time on a high.

The Saints have not won at Pittodrie since August 1999, but, still basking in the glow of their recent 4-1 win over Rangers, they’re clearly considered dangerous opposition, a factor which adds appeal to Victor Chandler’s 9/4 for tomorrow afternoon’s match to conclude with honours even.

Nonetheless, despite Wednesday’s defeat at Ibrox, home advantage ensures that bet365 install Aberdeen as their 11/10 favourites, whereas St Johnstone, who have conceded more away goals than any other top flight side, kick off as 7/4 underdogs according to online firm Jaxx.com. 888Sport consider the Saints an 11/4 shot to retain a clean sheet and Totesport price a goalless outcome at 8/1.

Aberdeen’s miserable goalscoring record at Pittodrie is one which suggests that Betdaq’s 8/5 for the opening half to finish goalless is worthy of further consideration and one which may convince punters that the opening strike could prove decisive.

Betfred price St Johnstone at 6/5 to score the game’s first goal and although the fixture could theoretically develop into an end-of-season goalfest, Paddy Power’s 4/6 for the sides to manufacture fewer than three goals has been well supported; William Hill post 11/2 about a 1-1 finish.

In other markets, Partybets rate St Johnstone an 8/15 shot to win when kicking off with a one goal advantage and punters can get 6/1 at Stan James against them securing three points following a drawn first period. If that sounds plausible, Ladbrokes’ 8/1 for the Saints to win 1-0 cannot be discounted.

Odds supplied by Betrescue