Scottish Premiership winner odds, relegation predictions and top scorer bets

Best bet

Aberdeen without Celtic & Rangers
1pt 2-1 Hills

Already advised

Rangers to win the title
2pts 13-10 Coral, Lads

Aberdeen without Celtic & Rangers
3pts 9-2 general

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Scottish Premiership predictions

Celtic are nine points clear of Old Firm rivals Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership and at 1-14 bookmakers expect the Bhoys to go on and retain their title.

It’s hard to see how the Gers can bridge such a sizeable gap. As well as their nine-point advantage, Celtic are a superior side and the gap between the Old Firm pair may only widen as the season progresses.

Rangers have turned to former QPR boss Michael Beale, who was on Steven Gerrard's coaching team at Ibrox for three years, in a bid to improve their fortunes after Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s departure a month ago.

However, he has much work to do as the Light Blues have put in some ordinary efforts in the league and lost all six of their Champions League group matches under Van Bronckhort's watch this term.

The Dutchman had to go but Beale's managerial experience consists of nine wins from 22 games and he must get the best out of Ibrox arrivals Ridvan Yilmaz, Ben Davies, Rabbi Matondo and Malik Tillman, who have offered very little to date.

Celtic, meanwhile, are going great guns. Ange Postecoglou's side have netted 51 goals in their 16 league matches and there have been 15 individual scorers for the Hoops in the league. The Bhoys have quality in abundance at this level and should enjoy a title stroll.

Hearts were ante-post favourites in the betting without the Old Firm but quotes of 6-4 looked pretty fanciful after their first 11 games yielded only four victories. However, Robbie Neilsen’s men have improved since their European involvement came to an end and they are now 5-4 chances.

Aberdeen are 2-1 second favourites in the betting and, although the league table may suggest otherwise, Hibs look the only other runners.

A season-ending injury to striker Martin Boyle is a major blow to Hibs’ chances, however, so at the prices Aberdeen still look good value in what could be a match against Hearts.

The Dons have suffered late defeats to Celtic and Rangers in their last two league matches but they were competitive in both of those contests and they are a progressive side. Jim Goodwin’s men have won nine of their 12 matches at Pittodrie this term, scoring 33 goals in the process and that firepower could give them the edge.

Vicente Besuijen, Duk, Bojan Miovski, Leighton Clarkson and Connor Barron are all talented performers at this level and Christian Ramirez’s likely departure in January should allow Goodwin to keep hold off his key players.

Kilmarnock heading for the Championship

Best bet

Kilmarnock to finish bottom
1pt 2-1 bet365

Already advised

Livingston to finish bottom
1pt 10-1 Coral, Lads

Kyogo Furuhashi top scorer
2pts 7-2 Coral, Lads

Christian Ramirez top scorer
1pt each-way 20-1 general

Verdict

Motherwell, Dundee United and Ross County are all viable candidates to finish bottom of the Scottish Premiership but 11th-placed Kilmarnock have to be the bet at 2-1.

Better was expected from Killie with experienced gaffer Derek McInnes at the helm, but the East Ayrshire outfit are just three points better off than current basement boys Dundee United, who are far more competitive now than they were earlier this season.

Kilmarnock’s away record is dreadful. They have lost eight of their nine league road trips, scoring only two goals, and that is putting huge pressure on their Rugby Park form.

McInnes has watched his side lose four of their last five matches, Killie have scored only 13 goals in 17 Scottish Premiership games in all, and it could prove difficult for the former Aberdeen boss to keep Kilmarnock away from danger.

Ante-post selection Kyogo Furuhashi is currently in a four-way tie at the top of the top goalscorer charts with 11 strikes and the Japan international, who surprisingly missed out on selection for the World Cup still looks the likeliest winner given that he plays for free-scoring leaders Celtic.