Saints match betting

Dec 10 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

FOUR points from two away games is not a bad total for St Johnstone, and they will be looking to improve upon that tally away at St Mirren this weekend, where they are 888sport’s 6/4 favourites.

The pair last clashed in September when Derek McInnes’ men emerged 2-1 winners, and a repeat scoreline this time around is 10/1 with Stan James.

Punters leaning in that direction, though, can take a safer route by taking Paddy Power’s 16/5 for a one-goal winning margin, although Partybets chalk up coupled odds of 14/5 for the visitors to triumph 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0.

Since that encounter in September, St Mirren have failed to win eight of the following 10 matches, where they conceded in all bar one match.

With that in mind, St Johnstone should get their share of chances, and punters can double their money at evens with Victor Chandler about them breaking the deadlock, which is a real possibility as their rivals bagged the opener just five times this term.

More accurate backers looking to nail the first goalscorer, however, may take Sam Parkin at 6/1 with William Hill, who is also 7/4 with Totesport to strike at any stage.

With St Johnstone mustering just one goal in their last six, though, some punters may look at Betfred’s 11/5 about a draw as a live punt, while Ladbrokes go 8/1 for a 0-0. The visitors themselves are 2/1 (bet365) to keep the hosts at bay with a clean sheet, although odds-on players that cannot see St Johnstone coming away defeated can lump on Coral’s 8/15.

A lack of firepower also brings into play the number of goals scored during 90 minutes, where just one or less is 7/4 with bet365, and two or less is 4/7 courtesy of Betdaq – something that occurred in three of their four clashes last season.

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