Scottish Round Up

Scottish League One is a brilliant example of just how fine margins can be in our beautiful game. Sat very handily in 2nd place are Forfar – having amassed 50 points from 29 games. All with a goal difference of just +3 goals! That means they are above Raith who have scored 22 goals more than their opponents over the course of the season. Way down the table in 7th are Airdrie – just 34 points on the board and a -1 goal difference. So just four goals different to Forfar, but a very different season.

More recently though their form has certainly backed up where they are in the table – Forfar recording a 12-game form output of 8-2-2, scoring 21 and conceding just 12. In the same time Aidrie are 4-2-6, but three of those wins came in late December/early January. Over the 12 matches their goal scored/conceded reads 12-15.

Forfar look worth siding with at 8/5 to win here.

2pt Forfar to beat Airdrie at 8/5 (Bet365, Paddy Power)

What a Saturday we have ahead of us on Scottish League Two. Not only do leaders Peterhead travel to Edinburgh City – a match which could either see the Blue Toon moving away into the distance, or bring Edinburgh right back into contention, but we also have Clyde v Annan in 3rd v 4th.

Edinburgh’s results have dropped off somewhat in recent weeks – at least by the high standards they set early in the season. They are just 5-3-4 since the New Year which has allowed Peterhead to stretch their lead at the top. They have posted 8-1-3 in the same time frame. With Edinburgh 7/4 in this one, there is probably no value either way.

In the other game at the top I can’t help but feel Annan aren’t getting the respect they should warrant after winning eight from 12. Their expected goal numbers have been superb, and it should be noted they have beaten Edinburgh (twice) and Peterhead in that run. They looks a very good side right now at this level.

Clyde are in tremendous form themselves of course, with 8-1-3 form numbers themselves, although their expected goals haven’t quite so solid. This one could go either way in my view, so in a league where the instance of draws is fewer than 16% I’m happy to take the prices on an upset at 5/2. You can get 13/5 if you have a Marathon account.

2pts Annan to beat Clyde at 5/2 (General)

Queens Park haven’t managed to get a win against Cowdenbeath after three attempts this season, but have a great chance at the weekend, meeting the Blue Brazil at just the right time.

Both sides are struggling this season, although well above the Albion/Berwick distasters occurring below them. Cowdenbeath however have relied heavily on getting wins against those whipping boys recently – winning just three of their last 16 – including 2-0 and 1-0 wins over Berwick and Albion respectively.

Queen’s Park are better – 4-4-4 is their WDL record over 12 matches now, with a 24-19 goal difference in that spell, which also backs up their position as 3rd best on expected goals over the past 10 matches.

1pt Queen’s Park to beat Cowdenbeath at 6/4 (William Hill)

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