SPL Double

We kick off the new Scottish football season with a 4/1 double that pairs a short odds favourite with an undervalued outsider. It would be a major shock if Rangers don’t get off to a characteristically strong start at home to Hearts. It will raise more eyebrows if St Johnstone go to Aberdeen and win. However, based on the form guide both can be expected to happen.

Let’s start with the less controversial pick, the case for Rangers is an easy one to make. The Ibrox giants have shot out of the blocks with an opening day three points for six seasons running, and there’s no reason to think that run will end here. Hearts have had another summer of disruption with the Craig Thompson scandal providing unwanted media attention. A recent statement from the club’s board of directors also launched an attack on so-called ‘mafia’ enemies.

The Edinburgh side have some promising new signings, but memories of a 4-0 hammering by the champions in May will still be fresh in the mind. The absence of key man Kevin Kyle will also be keenly felt. Ally McCoist will be determined to get his first game as full-time Rangers manager under his belt in style. The fans will be right behind the club’s all-time record goalscorer on Saturday and victory should be anticipated.

Our second choice sees us touting St Johnstone to win at Pittodrie at individual match odds of 11/4 with Coral. The odds contradict all the relevant statistics. Aberdeen finished below their visitors by six points last campaign and endured a home campaign that just got worse as the season went on. The Dons lost four of their last five in front of their own fans and the Saints were among those to take advantage. Indeed, the recent head-to-head record firmly favours St Johnstone. Derek McInnes’s side won 0-2 and 0-1 at Pittordrie last season and only conceded once in four matches against Saturday’s opponents.

If new signing Sean Higgins adds firepower to St Johnstone, and his recent record at Dundee bodes well, they could emulate last season’s success. All things considered Rangers and St Johnstone make up a decent value double at odds of 4/1 with Coral.