Scottish Premiership predictions: betting preview and free football tips

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for this weekend's Scottish Premiership matches.

When to bet

3pm Saturday

Best bets

Aberdeen
1pt 13-8 bet365

Dundee United
1pt 14-5 Paddy Power, Betfair, bet365

Weekend preview

Aberdeen have struggled to replicate their excellent home performances on the road this term but they could be traveling to Motherwell at the right time to change that.

The Steelmen were beaten 2-1 by Rangers at Fir Park last weekend and the Well had to be at full tilt to remain competitive in that contest. Steven Hammell’s side were also in League Cup action on Wednesday and were crushed 4-0 by a rampant Celtic side.

That’s two tough games in just four days for the men from North Lanarkshire and they had just 34 per cent of the ball in the latest of those defeats.

Motherwell have put a lot into those two matches and while Aberdeen were also playing in midweek, a home tie against Championship side Partick is clearly a lot less demanding than a contest against the champions.

Jim Goodwin was able to get key performers Leighton Clarkson and Bojan Miovski off at half-time in a comfortable 4-1 victory and that should mean they are fresh for Saturday's task.

Aberdeen were excellent when beating Hearts in their last SPL game at Pittodrie and the same can be said for their 4-1 hammering of Kilmarnock in their previous home league contest.

That wasn’t the case when the Dons suffered a disappointing 4-0 defeat at Dundee United, but at the prices Jim Goodwin’s men can be given another chance on their travels.

Kilmarnock and St Mirren are both short-priced home favourites this weekend, and while Killie may justify those odds, the Buddies look worth opposing.

Dundee United have avoided defeat in their last three SPL matches and that includes two excellent wins over Aberdeen and Hibernian and a draw at Ross County, where the Terrors won the shot count 9-6, bossed the ball and were the better side. Of course, Liam Fox’s side are no world beaters but St Mirren look too short at 11-10.

The Buddies managed only three shots on target at home to Kilmarnock last time out and prior to that the Paisley outfit were hammered 4-0 at Ibrox.

St Mirren have won five of their last eight SPL games, but those victories have come via nine goals from just 12 shots on target and it’s fair to say that results are exceeding their performances.

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