Heart of Midlothian - Celtic Betting Preview: Tight Tynecastle tussle looks to be the best bet

Nov 28, 2012 11:00:00 AM

The Scottish champions will be desperate to make amends for a shock home defeat at the hands of Terry Butcher's side but Willie Duncan anticipates a tight match at Tynecastle

Celtic were left stunned at the weekend as Inverness Caledonian Thistle claimed an impressive 1-0 victory at Celtic Park and the Hoops' boss Neil Lennon will be looking for a reaction from his side when they make the trip to Edinburgh to take on Heart of Midlothian on Wednesday night.

Despite Saturday’s slip, the Hoops are still strong favourites with William Hill and can be backed at 4/6 (1.67) to claim all three points from their trip to the capital.

Hearts have been dogged by serious financial worries in recent weeks but, despite that gloomy backdrop, John McGlynn’s men have strung together a decent run of results on the field, having lost just one of their last seven fixtures.

Hearts can be backed at 9/2 (5.50) with William Hill to win the match while the same firm go 5/2 (3.50) that the match ends in stalemate.

Former Scunthorpe United striker Gary Hooper, who scored seven goals against Hearts last term, is the subject of William Hill’s “headline offer” for this match with the bookmakers offering 6/4 (2.50) for Hooper to net at any time during a Celtic win.

Goals have proven hard to come by for the hosts this season with Hearts having hit the target more than once in just one of their last nine matches and, therefore, it is no surprise to see the “headline offer” for former Motherwell striker John Sutton to score at any time in a home victory available at a juicy 10/1 (11.0).

The previous meeting between these sides ended in a slender 1-0 victory for Neil Lennon’s Hoops and another tight match looks likely here.

Scottish Cup holders Hearts have conceded just once in their last three league matches and McGlynn will be hoping that his side can maintain that defensive discipline for the visit of the defending champions.

Should the Jam Tarts’ defence hold firm, the 8/11 (1.73) quote from William Hill for fewer than three goals to be scored looks to be an outstanding bet here.

This fixture is always fiercely contested and there are sure to be some tasty tackles flying in the opening minutes. With that in mind, those seeking bigger prices should take William Hill’s juicy 12/5 (3.40) quote that a card is shown inside 15 minutes at Tynecastle on Wednesday night.

BET

OF THE

DAY

BEST BET

VALUE BET

Under 2.5 goals at 8/11 (1.73) with William Hill

Card to be shown in 1-15 minutes at 12/5 (3.40) with William Hill

Sign up with William Hill for a £25 free bet

Willie Duncan is a freelance sports journalist. Willie, from Edinburgh, has covered Scottish football for over 10 years and he specialises in football betting markets from across Europe. You can also follow Willie on Twitter

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