Scottish predictions: betting preview and free football tips

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Saturday's football matches in Scotland.

Best bet

Hibernian
2pts 4-5 general

Preview

The Scottish Premiership playoff semi-final second leg between Championship sides Raith and Dunfermline takes place on Saturday after the Fife rivals played out a 0-0 draw at East End Park on Tuesday.

It’s a convoluted process that pretty much makes it as difficult as possible for the Premiership side to be relegated and the reward for the Stark's Park victors is a contest against second-tier runners-up Dundee in a two-legged semi-final starting on Wednesday.

The team that progresses from that tie will move on to face either Hamilton, Kilmarnock or Ross County in a bid to take their Premiership place next season.

The presence of Hearts, Hibs, Rangers and Dundee United in the Championship in recent years has made it even more difficult for a playoff side to reach the top flight and only Hamilton and Livingston have managed to progress since the process was reintroduced in the 2013-14 season.

Away from league action there’s a huge Scottish Cup semi-final between Dundee United and Hibs on Saturday, and with Rangers and Celtic out of the competition, both sides know they have a great chance of winning some silverware.

The Hibees have been strong this season and Jack Ross has guided his side into third place in the Premiership table. The Terrors have stayed clear of relegation trouble, but their league position rather overplays their performance level, and they are fairly fortunate to be clear of danger.

Micky Mellon’s side are the worst=performing outfit in the top flight according to the xG data and most of their good results have been largely down to some excellent performances from keeper Benjamin Siegrist.

Dundee United’s number one is out of the Hampden showdown, meaning back-up cat Deniz Mehmet will be between the posts and that looks likely to prove the Terrors downfall.

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