A lot has happened since Rangers last conceded a goal. Brexit’s been on and off nine times, Gareth Bale learned how to say hello in Spanish – and I’ve even had a wash.
While the Scottish Premiership truly became a source of indifference to the world over the last few years, the revitalisation of the Old Firm has injected life back into a division that sorely needed it.
With Celtic a short price and presumed winners over Livingston on a grass pitch at time of writing, Sunday is about the level of pressure the blue half of Glasgow can put on Celtic and ensure us that we’re not being led down the garden path.
Aberdeen and Motherwell make up the other half of the double header – and they’re two sides who may feel they’re quite evenly matched on paper.
Despite that, Aberdeen have taken 12 points from their five games and Motherwell needed penalties to get past Coleraine on Thursday night, so it’s not all rosy at Fir Park at present.
The Well need a big win to make a statement and ensure those around them that they don’t plan on taking part in any relegation scraps. Right – feet up. Here’s your Sunday Scottish Premiership double.
12:00 Hibernian v Rangers: Rangers to Win to Nil
You hardly thought I was going anywhere else, did you? Rangers to Win to Nil just keeps coming in. While I’d be the first to admit that Hibs are probably the best side they’ll have faced to date during this run, it’s defensively where they shine rather than at the other end of the pitch.
Hibs’ 11 goals reads quite well, but they do come in spurts. They hit St Mirren for three last week, and Livingston for four. That leaves just four goals in the other five games.
Given their blueprint, it’s clear that Hibs are a defend-first force, and hosting Rangers will put that to the test. It’s one that will certainly seem tougher as the game progresses too, as the Gers are undoubtedly going to be somewhat sluggish after their midweek triumph.
Although, given it was against the Red Imps, I’m sure they’ve had tougher training sessions. The breakthrough will eventually come via the usual sources but up until then, expect a hungover Rangers outfit to resemble – well, themselves over the last few years.
15:00 Aberdeen v Motherwell: Under 1.5 Goals
Just to confirm – Aberdeen are fourth in the Scottish Premiership despite scoring just five times. They’re either ruthlessly efficient, or lucky – and I’m presuming it’s the latter. While their defensive record of conceding just twice through their first five games is impressive, they take the life out of games.
If that isn’t a promo piece for this matchup then I don’t know what is.
But seriously, Motherwell went 120 minutes on Thursday and they’ll not be flying out of the blocks, setting up an encounter where both accept the first goal probably wins it.
And yano what? They’re probably going to be right, too.
These two selections in a double will give you odds of around 11/2 with Paddy Power.
Our Sunday Scottish Premiership double
12:00 Hibernian v Rangers: Rangers to Win to Nil
15:00 Aberdeen v Motherwell: Under 1.5 Goals
More Tips:
- Football tips: Our trader’s sweet 37/1 Same Game Multi for Chelsea v Liverpool on Sunday
- Football tips: Our excellent 18/1 acca for Sunday’s European matches
- Football tips: Our top trio of punts for Southampton v Tottenham on Sunday
- Football tips: Our 6/1 Same Game Multi to get it done for Newcastle v Brighton on Sunday
- Chelsea v Liverpool tips: Watch as our trader picks a pair of top bets for Sunday’s big game