Betting Tips for Today: Celtic to waste little time against St. Mirren

There could be a genuine title race in the Scottish Premiership for the first time in many a year. Aberdeen finished nine points off the summit last term but this edition could be even closer.

Rangers’ win in 2011 was the last time that Celtic failed to finish top of the table and after 21 rounds of the current campaign, the four leading sides are separated by just three points.

With a game in hand and a recent history of domestic domination, 888Sport make Celtic just 1/5 (1.20) and the Hoops are likely to get back to winning ways against St. Mirren. They've been perfect at this venue taking a maximum 27 points thus far.

The home side are just 1/10 (1.10) to extend that record with the visitors a massive 20/1 (21.0) to inflict a shock defeat on Brendan Rodgers' men. The draw is 17/2 (8.50) with 888Sport.

With such a short price on the home win, it makes sense to focus elsewhere in terms of unearthing value and there's a trend that looks worth following.

Celtic have the leading attack in the Scottish top-flight. Despite playing a game fewer than their title rivals, Rodgers' men have netted 46 times thus far - three more than their bitter rivals Rangers.

The way to take advantage of this looks to be by backing the 21/20 (2.05) on over 1.5 first half goals in the game with 888Sport.

The Hoops have netted 28 goals in the first half of their league matches, that's 61% of their strikes in this competition coming prior to the break. At home the reigning champions are on a run of 15 scored without conceding before half-time. St. Mirren on the other hand, are seemingly vulnerable in the early stages.

22 of their 39 goals conceded have come before the interval but they've also netted nine times in the first 45 minutes of games compared to just six times in the latter half of matches.

With both teams involved in plenty of goal-mouth action in the early stages of games, 21/20 (2.05) on over 1.5 goals before half-time looks well worthy of support.

Over 1.5 first half goals at 21/20 (2.05) for a 2pt stake with 888Sport 888Sport