*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
The early game on Sunday sees a big clash in the Scottish Premiership as table-toppers Celtic head to Livingston. The Bhoys are still three points clear of Rangers in 2nd going into the weekend while Livi are having a very impressive season and are up to 4th.
They head a pack of seven clubs who are separated by just five points. With the split on the horizon, their campaign can still go south if they don’t keep up their good form. The same is obviously true for Celtic who are gunning to wrestle the title back from The Gers.
WELCOME TO PADDY POWER NEWS
There’s still two Old Firm matches to come in the remaining nine games so it should be a thrilling end to the season for lovers of the Scottish game. First things first though and Celtic have to navigate this potential banana skin at the Tony Macaroni to keep the heat on at the top.
Will they march on? Their form hasn’t exactly been champion of late so they’ll need their wits about them. What better way to shake down this contest than with a beautiful Bet Builder? Let’s get into it.
*A Bet Builder with these four best bets pays at approximately 29/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Sunday 12pm: Livingston v Celtic
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football
Livingston (+1)
Hear me out. Celtic have let punters down a few times of recently but we’ll try not to hold a grudge. Obviously The Hoops are Paddy’s big favourites and no-one would really be shocked if they were to take the three points. However, Livingston have taken four points from a possible six against the league leaders this season. Crucially they won 1-0 at home to Celtic way back September and then they followed that up with a 0-0 draw at Parkhead.
Celtic’s last five has seen them lose two (both to Bodo/Glimt) draw one and win two – one to Nil and one while conceding two goals to rock-bottom Dundee. Livingston’s last defeat came seven games ago, a late defeat to 11th-placed St Johnstone.
While Celtic haven’t been roaring, The Lions are enjoying their best spell of the season. Add those two factors in with the previous results this season and I think we might see the home side get something and for Livingston (+1) to click.
Under 2.5 Goals
While our first pick is a bit of a risk, this Under 2.5 Goals play feels a lot safer. As mentioned, this clicked in both meetings earlier in the season with just one goal over the two games.
It’s landed in three of the home side’s last five games as well as Celtic’s three most recent matches. This should be low scoring and, given how the home side will approach this (they had 21% and 15% possession in the first two games), they’ll be playing for the 0-0 from the off.
- NOT SURE WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT? CLICK HERE TO LEARN ALL ABOUT WHAT A BET BUILDER IS
- LIKE PADDY POWER NEWS? OR MAYBE YOU JUST LIKE TO WHINGE? TELL US WHAT YOU THINK IN OUR READER SURVEY
Both Teams To Score? No
Given the fact that Livingston might be hiring an extra bus to park in front of their goal to make sure nothing is left to chance, I think we’ll see Both Teams To Score? No land in this one. This has clicked in all of Celtic’s most recent matches with them keeping two clean sheets.
Both Teams to Score? No has clicked in two of Livi’s last four but they’ll have a completely different game plan here. The barricades will be up and it’ll be up to Celtic to breach them while making sure they don’t get caught on the break.
Under 2.5 Cards
You might expect Livingston to rack up the cards in their rearguard displays, but that’s not been the case. They normally have a really good disciplinary record, other than the odd exception where they go card mad.
They’ve not picked up a booking for two matches and have just five in their last four, that’s 1.25 a game. Celtic have had just seven in their last five, an average of 1.4 per match.
There were five in their first meeting but just one in the second leading us to a nice-round 3. Given both side’s good records of late I think we can chance our arm at Under 2.5 Cards.
Livingston v Celtic tips
Livingston (+1)
Under 2.5 Goals
Both Teams To Score
Under 2.5 Cards
*A Bet Builder with these four best bets pays at approximately 29/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
FREE BET IF 1 LEG LETS YOU DOWN
If one leg of your 4+ fold Bet Builder fails to land, you get up to £/€10 back as a free bet. Customers can qualify for 1 Bet Builder Free Bet If 1 Leg Lets You Down per day up to £/€10. The free bets will be credited by 12pm the following day.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
FOOTBALL TIPS TODAY
- 6/1 shout tops Phil Thompson’s Arsenal v Watford tips
- These Man City v Man Utd Bet Builder tips clock in at 25/1
- TRADER TIPS: Our top number-cruncher picks his Manchester Derby betting tips
- Phil Thompson’s 4 Man City v Man Utd tips
- Our 16/1 Sunday Football Treble Tips from the evening European action
WATCH OUR BRAND-NEW JAMIE REDKNAPP INVESTIGATES SERIES
- Paddy sends Jamie on mission to discover truth about half-and-half scarves
- Jamie goes face to face with vicious online football Twitter trolls
- Jamie Redknapp grills people who still call the Premier League the ‘Premiership’