Jim Delahunt’s tips on Celtic v Aberdeen, St Mirren v Rangers and the big play-off clashes

COVENTRY finished 10 points behind 3rd top Luton in the Championship but I’m backing the Sky Blues to win today’s play-off Final at Wembley.

Mark Robins’ side finished the season in style with one defeat in 19 games but that hides the fact they were still BOTTOM of the table on October 19 and its been a superb run to Wembley.

I reckoned they faced the toughest of the two semi-finals against Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough but they came through 1-0 and face a Luton side which came from behind to win against Sunderland.

Viktor Gyokeres is a key man up front for City but keeper Ben Wilson will be a key man against a potent Hatters attack and I’m backing Coventry to win in 90 minutes at a huge value 21/10.

KILMARNOCK only need a draw to avoid the Premiership play-off but I’m taking the home side to beat Ross County and guarantee survival by finishing 10th.

Derek McInnes’ side had made Rugby Park a fortress before last week’s defeat by St Johnstone but they bounced back to win 3-0 at Tannadice on Wednesday and confidence should be high about another win at 21/20.

Kyle Vassell has scored 3 in 3 games as Killie battled to stay up in recent weeks and while they gave best to the Perth Saints last Saturday, McInnes had to plan his second half tactics with 10 men due to David Watson’s 44th minute red card.

MOTHERWELL landed last week’s headline bet at 11/10 and the Steelmen are back in this week’s top five as a banker to finally relegate Dundee United with a Fir Park win at 10/11 tomorrow.

Striker Kevin van Veen has stretched his goalscoring run to 10 consecutive games after scoring against Ross County and Livingston last week but the 13/10 I flagged up last Saturday as anytime scorer is down to a Sunday best Evens

Stuart Kettlewell has only lost 2 of his 13 games in charge and United’s desperate relegation form when the chips have been down has convinced me that ‘Well will end the campaign with a win to clinch top spot in the bottom six.

I tipped Livingston to beat Dundee United at 13/10 here last Saturday but I’m against Davie Martindale’s side tomorrow as they travel to face an in-form ST JOHNSTONE at McDiarmid Park.

Steven McLean has been confirmed as the new boss at Perth after making sure of Premiership survival with last week’s win at Kilmarnock followed by a battling 3-3 draw in Dingwall on Wednesday.

Livi have won all 3 games between the sides this season with 2 wins at Almondvale and a 4-2 success in Perth but Saints could have the edge in this one despite the Lions’ coming back to some kind of form in the past week.

Four points at home against Dundee United and Motherwell steadied the ship and killed the “holiday” jibes but I fancy Saints will be more motivated tomorrow and take them to win at what will probably be 6/5 by kick-off time.

Sunday SINGLE

ST MIRREN have already beaten Celtic in Paisley and they can build on their 1-1 home draw with Rangers in November by winning today at a general 6/1.

Weekend ACCA

Hearts 11/10

Coventry 21/10

Kilmarnock 21/20

Motherwell 10/11

St Johnstone 6/5

The top five is split over today and tomorrow with all 5 wining paying out at 55/1. 

CELTIC V ABERDEEN   12.30pm   Sky Sports

Celtic have taken 1 point from 3 games since clinching the title at Tynecastle and the newly confirmed third placed Dons might fancy their chances with theeir odds already ct from 16/1 to 9/1.

Today’s the day Celtic get the trophy of course and supporters are already murmuring that they don’t want to head for Hampden next weekend without a win in 4 games.

Celtic are a best-priced 1/5 to be celebrating after a victory but the Dons have progressed plenty since their last 4-0 defeat here and the draw price of 13/2 is the one which appeals most.

ST MIRREN V RANGERS  12.30pm

Saints fans will be out to celebrate a terrific season which has matched Rangers’ record of a win and a draw against Celtic and I fancy they could cause a minor last day upset here by winning at 6/1.

Getting something from the midweek trip to Pittodrie became a lost cause very quickly but they’re back on home turf with a 9-5-4 record to be proud of and well aware that 4/9 Rangers could be vulnerable having made their Ibrox farewells.

Saints skipper Mark O’Hara has been rallying the Paisley troops for one final push and they can end their best season for 38 years with a home win over trophyless Gers.

HEARTS V HIBERNIAN 12.30pm

Hibs head for Gorgie having beaten Celtic at 6/1 on Wednesday but Hearts made it 3 games unbeaten with a 2-2 draw at Ibrox on the same night and the Jambos are 11/10 favourites today.

Hibs’ odds average out around 9/4 with the draw at 13/5 and while Hibs should be on a high after hitting 4 against Celtic and winning the last Edinburgh Derby, I fancy Hearts to win this and confirm 4th position.

Lawrence Shankland looks the anytime scorer bet at 13/10 and Steven Naismith can take a major step towards the Tynecastle hotseat by engineering a final day derby victory.

KILMARNOCK V ROSS COUNTY  Sunday 3pm

Kilmarnock missed a barrowload of chances before they went behind to St Johnstone last week but they made amends with 3 goals at Tannadice on Wednesday and I fancy them to beat County tomorrow.

Derek McInnes’ players are still the Premiership’s lowest goalscorers with 34 but they’ve created enough chances in the past 8 days to give them confidence to go again tomorrow and a massive crowd can see them over the finishing line.

5/2 County came from 2 goals down to take a points against St Johnstone for a 7th point in 4 games but Killie have home advantage and they can win this at 21/20. 

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