Scottish Premiership 2019-20: season predictions & best bets

Celtic can hold off a strong challenge from Old Firm adversaries Rangers to win a ninth straight title in what could be the most exciting Ladbrokes Premiership season for years.

The Hoops won a third treble in a row last season but their invincibility will be threatened by Steven Gerrard's Rangers this time around.

Gerrard has brought in eight players this summer, headlined by former Bologna man Filip Helander, Joe Aribo from Charlton and highly-rated Liverpool loan star Sheyi Ojo.

But it's their squad players who could make the biggest difference in the bread and butter games.

• Scottish Premiership special bets & top goalscorer

Last season, Rangers blew any hope of challenging Celtic by dropping soft points on their travels. Defeats at the likes of Livingston and Kilmarnock and draws at Dundee, Hibs and Motherwell all mounted up as they failed to find consistency.

Rangers' deep squad gives Gerrard plenty of options and the players he's signed should ensure they slip up less often this time around.

They also twice comfortably defeated Celtic at Ibrox last season which should give them belief.

• Scottish Championship season predictions

However, they are likely to come up short again against a Celtic team who, simply put, have players who are of better quality.

Handing Neil Lennon the reins on a permanent basis for a second time is a risk but when he's able to spend £9m on two players - Christopher Jullien and Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo - it underlines the fact Celtic are on a different level financially to any other club in Scotland.

And with the potential of a further £25m windfall if Kieran Tierney leaves Parkhead, the Bhoys are likely to significantly strengthen further before the end of August.

For all that Rangers are likely to improve, so should Celtic. They were a long way from their best last season and will be better without the distraction of Brendan Rodgers' mid-season departure.

The return of Leigh Griffiths cannot be underestimated either and there's no reason why he cannot be the force he was during the prime of his career.

• Scottish League One season predictions

Celtic are no value at long odds-on and the best bet in the league could be Aberdeen to finish top without the Old Firm.

Derek McInnes has been backed in the transfer market, bringing in quality additions in the shape of Craig Bryson, Funso Ojo and they've also made James Wilson's loan move from Manchester United permanent.

It's a big ask for the Dons to challenge the Old Firm, but they should have more than enough to be best of the rest, particularly with serious doubts about rivals Hearts and Kilmarnock.

Hibs are expected to go well under Paul Heckingbottom. The former Barnsley boss likes to play attacking football and the Easter Road side are always good for goals.

Hearts manager Craig Levein is being eyed suspiciously by the fed-up Jambos faithful and a poor start to the season with what looks like a limited squad could end his Tynecastle tenure.

Motherwell have a young, exciting squad and could easily sneak into the top six ahead of St Johnstone.

• Scottish League Two season predictions

Kilmarnock were best of the rest last season, but new manager Angelo Alessio got off to the worst possible start in his bid to replace Steve Clarke, when Killie somehow managed to blow their return to European football after 18 years by losing to Connah's Quay at home despite winning the first leg in Wales.

Clark's great strength was coaching average players to be excellent and the Italian has a huge task to repeat that with an ageing bunch.

Ross County's home record and the lift they will have gained from last season's Championship title win should see them safe.

Which leaves Hamilton, St Mirren and Livingston to battle it out to avoid the drop and the West Lothian side could struggle to be as strong defensively following the loss of the backbone of their rearguard.

Recommendation
Aberdeen without Celtic & Rangers
2pts 10-11 Betfred, Hills

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