Friday's Top Tip: The Cove can make home comforts a thing.
- World Soccer Today -
Rangers were staring at gunpoint with three minutes of injury time left at Pittodrie on Tuesday night, but a stunning last-minute two-goal comeback kept Michael Beale's side in the title race.
Beale endured a turbulent start to his tenure at the Ibrox hot seat, with his team coming from behind to win 3–2 in their opening two matches. On the positive side, his team has shown a never-say-die attitude, but on the other side they look questionable in defense and lack a bit of imagination.
Ross County deliver their next test for the Light Blues, but goals have been flowing for the Gers in recent meetings between the two sides. Rangers have scored 28 goals in their last four clashes with the Staggies (4,5,4,4,3,4,4) and we should see a few more goals tonight.
The way their defense is played they need to score at least 2 points to win. They need to get the job done but County can score and have recorded 8 points in their last 5 clashes with Rangers. An away win combined with over 2.5 goals pays 5/6.
In another Premiership match that night, the team with the worst home record (Motherwell) hosts the team with the worst away record (Kilmarnock), so something has to be given.
Killie won well at Tynecastle last weekend and manager Derek McInnes has yet to find a winning formula on the road this season. If pushed, taking all 3 points on 21/20 would be the best option.
The top two in the Championship will meet at Somerset Park. Dundee seem to have finally gotten their act together, but Ayr United won't go away. They lost to Partick Thistle last weekend but still lead by one point.
The Dark Blues are 8 undefeated in all competitions and have won their last 6 so make your trip to Ayr in good shape. Tonight's win will see them back on top for the first time since August. Both teams have scored and have scored over 2.5 goals in 3 of the last 4 meetings and the repeat pays 20/21.
There's also a chance to put some sunshine between them and bottom-ranked Hamilton at Championship Cove Rangers. The two sides recorded an amazing 4-4 draw the last time they met and despite finishing 8th in the table, Wee Rangers are only 3 points below Dundee. The home win appeals at 6/5 against Accies who have only 1 point from their last 6 matches but goals could be the best bet to score 2 or more points at Cove 11/10.
In Ligue 2, Elgin City could be of some value at 2/1 against second-placed Stirling Albion. The visitors have won just one of their last 5 and have moved into 3rd place in the table on the back of three wins in their last 4.
A three-and-a-half hour Friday night trip to Briggs borough just before Christmas isn't the friendliest fixture for the Binos and a 2/1 home win seems generous.
