This is an actual message from Aug 2007 simply designed to illustrate to you the nature of the Scottish Football Betting Advice advice clients typically receive from me.

Scottish Football Betting Advice for Sat Sept 1st 2007

Some good team news this week has whittled down what was a pretty strong shortlist into four selections at decent prices. Of the games discarded, I fancied Aberdeen to make hay against an injury-ravaged Kilmarnock side at a venue where they generally prosper. Killie’s main man Steven Naismith signed for Rangers as the transfer window slammed shut last night but, with Aberdeen having too many absentees of their own today, discretion proved the better part of valour there. Dumbarton also rate a decent prospect at injury ravaged Stranraer. However, I just wonder if Dumbarton’s young side can be trusted away from home just yet.

Here’s hoping for another winning Saturday.

Dundee to bt Clyde Scottish First 11/10 Betfred 2pts
High-flyers Dundee travel to Cumbernauld at full strength today and it seems unlikely that they will prove as generous to their hosts as last week’s opponents St Johnstone. The Perth men should have been out of sight by half time last week as they spurned at least three straightforward chances to lead (including two virtual open goals). Inevitably, Owen Coyle’s men, having failed to capitalise on their superior opportunities early on, lost both their discipline and their direction in the second half, succumbing to a sucker punch goal from teenager Ruari MacLennan in the 70th minute.

However, just as two swallows don’t make a summer, Colin Hendry’s gamble on two teenage starters (MacLennan and McKenna) has not transformed Clyde’s fortunes overnight. Granted they look a more competitive side with McGregor reinstalled to the home defence but they look ill-equipped for a physical confrontation with Alex Rae’s powerful Dundee side today. Unsurprising, for a side managed by Alex Rae, high work-rate, a good tempo and good organisation are the keys to Dundee’s good start this season. McDonald, Robertson and Swankie should have the run of things in midfield, McKenzie and Palenik should keep things tight and offer a threat at setpieces. Davidson and Lyle up front look like a nice blend too, with the former a strong running and clinical finisher and the latter likely to provide the flash of skill that can turn an otherwise tight game.

I haven’t seen anything in Clyde’s last two games to suggest they should not be opposed for now and, even with two loanees shipped in from Port Vale and Carlisle yesterday, I think they’ll lack the quality where it counts today.

Montrose to bt Stenhousemuir Scottish Third 9/4 Betfred 1pt
Stenhousemuir have been dealt a third injury blow in as many weeks after it transpired yesterday that that top scoring forward John Dempster had broken his hand.

It will put the striker out of action for at least a couple of weeks, alongside already sidelined captain Steven Ferguson and Scott McCulloch. This trio would probably rate as most good judges’ idea of Stenny’s three most important players. And if that wasn’t bad enough, my contacts tell me that goalkeeper Hillcoat is touch and go too. If he plays, it will be with heavy strapping to protect a hamstring injury. Under the circumstances, it is difficult to fancy a home side, without a win in three, and short of confidence after being smashed 3-0 by rampant East Stirling last Saturday.

Meanwhile, Montrose manager Jim Weir hopes to build on an impressive display in a 2-1 defeat against Falkirk in midweek. The Links Park boss has no fresh injury problems to contend with as his side came through the clash with their SPL opponents unscathed.

With one win and one draw coupled with two defeats, Weir is hoping to find a bit of consistency from his side. As they have an artificial of their own this season, Montrose should be ideally placed to ‘compete on a level playing field’ with Stenhousemuir today and they look well-placed to kick-start their challenge against weakened opponents.

East Stirling to bt Albion Rvrs Scottish Third 7/4 Betfred 1pt
Albion boss John McCormack has admitted he is looking forward to the clash against East Stirling but says there is a financial gap between the two sides that has been evidenced in The Shire’s transformed fortunes this season. The Shire, boosted by a raft of experienced third division men, a youngster from Inverness and the exciting Scotland Amateur cap Simpson, must continue to be selected as live betting proposition for as long as they remain underrated by the compilers.
Today’s game has gone from being a match between the two of the worst sides in the football league to being a game between two top-four sides in the Third Division. Looking ahead to May, certainly, East Stirling look live contenders for a play off place this season if East Fife, as expected, prove too strong.

East Stirling manager Gordon Wylde has warned his side against complacency against opponents who have consistently proved a thorn in his side in the past. However, with two former Albion men in Nelson and the fiery Savage returning to Cliftonhill with a point to prove, East Stirling are likely to take things anything but easy and I’d expect the gulf in fiscal circumstances to tell today over the course of the 90 minutes.

Queen of the South to bt Morton 11/4 Tote, general 1pt
Had this game been played last season, Morton, then a second division side, would not be worthy of an odds on quote. QoS, the first division form side of last season’s final quarter, would definitely not be almost 3/1 and this is a classic case of the compilers overreacting to early season results. So what has happened thus far?

Firstly, having spent big in the last year, Queens entered the season in great heart only to have the stuffing knocked out of them by St Johnstone who snatched an undeserved draw at Palmerston with two goals in the last three minutes of the opening day. My contacts at Queens suggest that reversal, coupled with a spate of injuries and suspensions ensures that the Dumfries side have been slow to come to themselves this season but, having gone full-time, after a good win against Livingston last week and with a full complement to choose from, QoS’ management have set their men the target of going into the international break on the back of two wins.

Morton added Brechin’s Iain Russell and Celtic’s Gardyne to their squad yesterday. However, they are just as likely to be inconvenienced by the loss of Jay Shields through suspension today. With a full squad to choose from, Queens look pretty strong on paper and rate a worthwhile bet at anything over 7/4.