Saints odds versus Caley Jags

Apr 22 2011 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

SAINTS host Inverness on Easter Monday in a match the bookmakers see going the way of the home side, according to Betfred who make them their 11/8 favourites.

The last time these teams met at McDiarmid Park was back in January when a 1-0 victory went the way of the Saints, and punters seeking a repeat of that outcome can get 7/1 via Ladbrokes. Meanwhile, less accurate backers siding with a home win can take insurance courtesy of Partybets, who post 11/5 for either a 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0 home win.

Although the Caley Jags are four points above Derek McInnes’ troops in the SPL, Saints still boast a better record than their rivals against sides from the bottom half of the table, where Inverness have won only six of their 16 encounters.

The visitors have also developed a recent knack of throwing away a lead in three of their last four outings, which may see Saints land all three points after being behind during the break at a monster 26.0 (25/1) with Betdaq on the betting exchanges. Additionally, the hosts are 37/20 to win the second half alone via Sportingbet, while Paddy Power offer 7/2 for them to win that period 1-0.

Another interesting punting angle shows McDiarmid Park as the least productive ground in the SPL this season, with an average of just 1.47 goals per match, which may tempt some backers into Partybets’ 21/10 for a home win combined with two goals or less. Odds-on punters can also take bet365’s 4/7 for just two goals or less in 90 minutes.

A possible slow-burner could bring into play a draw at 8/5 with Victor Chandler, especially as Inverness drew their last two games 1-1 (11/2, Stan James), while both sides to score is 4/5 via Totesport.

Should St Johnstone become the first team to make the scoresheet, then backers may look to out of contract Collin Samuel to open proceedings at William Hill’s 13/2, while Coral go an interesting 2/1 for him to notch his third goal against Caley this season, despite being hooked at half-time at Hampden.

Odds supplied by www.betrescue.com

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