The Premier League in England may get touted as the best in the world but north of the border, the Scottish Premiership is certainly one of the most intriguing. With fierce rivals Celtic and Rangers battling for supremacy at the top of the table and storied clubs like Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibernian pushing for a place in Europe, it’s certainly never dull in Scotland.
Then in the second tier, you have Dundee United aiming to return to former glories in the top division and sides like Raith Rovers and Greenock Morton dreaming of making the step up.
With such an interesting set-up, betting on Scottish football can add an extra layer of excitement to watching games. If you are currently enjoying playing at the newest UK slot sites and considering adding sports betting to your gaming experience, the Premiership could be a good starting point. This article will provide tips and guidance on how to get started.
Get a Strong Understanding of Scottish Football
First and foremost, it is imperative that you gain as much knowledge on the game in Scotland as possible in order to make smart and informed betting decisions from a place of authority.
From the teams and players to league standings and upcoming fixtures, having a grasp of what is going on in the league can help you make choices on which teams or outcomes to back from week to week.
It’s also a good move to know exactly when matches are being played and to watch as much Scottish football as possible so that you can start to form your own views on performances which you can then use in making your betting picks.
Stay Updated on Team News
Be sure to follow team news before matches and throughout the week as this can give a major indication on how strong a team is going to be heading into the game.
For example, if Kilmarnock are without their top scorer when hosting St Johnstone, chances are the deputy might not net as many goals which could take some of the initiative away from the home side.
Being aware of which players are injured or suspended and knowing the depth of quality and quantity within a squad means you’ll instantly be able to surmise what the starting eleven will look like from week to week. These are the key details which will help you to make savvy betting decisions.
Don’t Always Back the Favourites
Celtic and Rangers have dominated Scottish football for decades and again are the top two in the Premiership in 2024. However, be aware that the two giants don’t win every week and so shouldn’t be backed constantly without just reason.
The Bhoys have lost three league games this season with Hearts who are in third place claiming two wins over Celtic. Rangers, meanwhile, have been defeated six times this campaign, losing to Aberdeen and Motherwell at Ibrox and losing at Ross County.
History and current form means Celtic and Rangers will win the majority of their matches. However, you should always assess whether it could be the day of the underdog. Sometimes there could be a signal, for instance one of the big two resting first-team players ahead of a European fixture which can enhance the opposition’s chances on the day.
Be Aware of the Scottish Premiership Table Split
While leagues in Germany, Spain and Italy feature teams facing each other twice a season, once at home and once away, the Scottish Premiership features only 12 sides and so consists of a split format, similar to that in Belgium and Austria.
Every team will play each other twice at home and once away or vice versa and then, when every club has played 33 matches, the league splits and the top six face each other once as do the bottom six. So, for example if Hibernian are sixth after game 33, they will then face the teams from first to fifth for the remainder of the campaign.
It’s important to note then, that the team in seventh for example, will then only face sides who had finished below them after 33 games, thus maybe improving their chances of winning more games at the season’s end and becoming a more attractive proposition to back.
Utilise Live In-Play Betting
Thanks to technological advancements and the advent of mobile gaming, bettors now have the advantage of placing bets as the match action unfolds. In previous decades, football fans wishing to make a wager would have to do so before kick-off, unable to make any changes once the referee had blown his first whistle.
However, bettors today can watch the game live and react to the match as it happens. So, for instance, if Aberdeen’s playmaker is sent off, bettors can assess the situation and bet accordingly. Similarly, if St Mirren and Dundee are goalless at half-time but St Mirren have had 20 shots, bettors can use what they have seen to shape their judgement during the second half.
Bettors should utilise this function as it enables them to use their knowledge of what they are watching before placing a bet.
Summing Up
If you are considering placing wagers on Scottish football, it’s important to get a strong understanding and knowledge of the league and teams before starting your betting journey. Being aware of team news, injuries and suspensions is vital in making smart decisions, particularly if you are predicting the outcome of upcoming matches.
Be aware of the Scottish Premiership split, always assess the two teams in full rather than simply backing the favourite and use live in-play betting to your advantage and make betting choices based on what you have seen in the game as it happens.