SunSport’s Jim Delahunt’s betting tips on Celtic vs Hearts, Rangers’ trip to Dundee United and his weekend football acca

DERBY COUNTY have won both of their home games in the Championship so far and Paul Warne’s side can make it 3 from 3 at home to rock-bottom Cardiff tomorrow at a value 13/10.

The Rams left off for the international break with a 3-0 win over Bristol City and transfer window signings means the manager has to swither over whether to keep a winning team intact.

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Nat Phillips’ arrival from Liverpool can help Warne’s side progress up the table but Warne’s newly shaped side has started well after two seasons in League One and a Cardiff side with only a point to show from 4 games look ideal opponents before the going gets decidedly tougher.

The Bluebirds managed a face-saving draw at Welsh rivals Swansea but they’ve been outclassed by Middlesbrough, Burnley and Sunderland and the games don’t get any easier with Leeds and Hull up next after tomorrow’s visit to a Pride Park ground where Derby have been imperious so far.

READING have only lost to League One leaders Wrexham this season and the Royals can maintain their 100% home record with a third Madjeski success against pointless Leyton Orient.

The visitors arrive with a 2-8 goals record and road defeats to nil against Shrewsbury and Charlton with Reading having beaten the Addicks comfortably 2 weeks ago after their visitors had won their first 3 league games.

Ruben Selles’ side had last weekend off after making an excellent start to the season and this looks a great opportunity to bank another 3 points at 4/5 before tougher matches against Bolton and Huddersfield over the next 2 weekends.

Wayne Rooney‘s managerial travails seem to be continuing at Plymouth this season and today’s visitors SUNDERLAND look rock solid to leave Home Park with all 3 points at 3/4.

New Black Cats boss Regis le Bris has just been crowned Championship Manager of the Month with his side topping the table on 12 points and a 5th straight win looks on the cards after their previous trip south to steam-roller Portsmouth.

ABERDEEN and ST MIRREN have made tomorrow’s top 5 and I fancy 29/20 DUNDEE to win at Ross County and 7/10 HIBS to get a first league win of the season at home to St Johnstone.

Tony Docherty’s Dark Blues failed to land the headliner in a 2-2 home draw with St Mirren 2 weeks ago but they’re still unbeaten with 7 wins in 10 matches this season and the 9/5 Staggies’ defence has to deal with former team-mate Simon Murray.

Hibs have only managed 2 draws in their 4 league games but the second of those came last time out when I tipped the 12/5 draw in a decent away showing at Kilmarnock and 4/1 Saints arrive at Easter Road after 3 straight defeats.

AYR UTD came back from 2 goals down to win at Raith Rovers last week and that Challenge Cup win can inspire Scott Brown‘s players to maintain their top dog Championship status by beating Partick Thistle at Somerset.

The home side are 17/20 to make it 4 home league wins in 4 games and look value to win again despite their tendency to conceded a goal or two along the way.

KELTY HEARTS can get the better of Cove Rangers in League One at 11/10 and PETERHEAD can make it a clean sweep of home wins for the four divisional leaders by beating Stirling Albion at 8/11 and staying ahead of Stranraer bound EAST FIFE.

Dick Campbell’s side can get back to winning form at a general 5/6 with SPARTANS fancied to beat Forfar at 10/11.

Saturday SINGLE

PORTSMOUTH were much better than the scoreline when beaten 3-1 by Sunderland and John Mousinho’s side can bounce back to beat West Brown at 3/1.

DUNDEE UTD V RANGERS Sunday 12 noon  Sky Sports

It’s third against fourth at Tannadice with United unbeaten at home, Rangers without a win away and the visitors at 2/5 and 4/11 to bounce back from Old Firm defeat and take all 3 points.

United are trading at 13/2 and 6/1 after consecutive wins to nil against St Mirren, St Johnstone and Hearts and I’ve seen enough from Jim Goodwin‘s emerging side to think they can cause a minor shock here by getting a home win here after 3 consecutive clean sheets.

Philippe Clement has told Rangers fans they can still win the league but they’ll almost certainly start tomorrow’s game 8 points behind and have only won once in the Premiership on 7 road trips dating back to last season.

United are unbeaten in 10 at Tannadice with 5 of those this term and while Ross Graham may be 25/1 to repeat his scoring heroics at Tynecastle, United’s defence can make sure they don’t lose with the draw worth saving on at 10/3.

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CELTIC V HEARTS

Celtic were 8/13 to beat Rangers last time but I tipped them at 6/4 with a handicap of -1 and I fancy the free-scoring 1/6 chances to be worth backing at 13/10 here starting -2.

Callum McGregor is 3/1 to net anytime after scoring in each of Celtic‘s last 3 league games and while those odds are starting to look skinny, Celtic have goals potential throughout the team and 14/1 Hearts have yet to fully utilise Lawrence Shankland.

Steven Naismith could have done with an easier return to action than trying to repeat last season’s shock 2-0 win here but they’ve now lost to Dundee United, Motherwell, Falkirk and Dundee since drawing with Rangers and the visitors’ prospects look bleak.

Brendan RoDgers knows he can pile the pressure on Rangers for their visit to Tannadice and Wednesday’s Champions League match against Slovan Bratislava can take care of itself after this.

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ABERDEEN V MOTHERWELL

The Dons have proved to be a real cash cow for punters this season and I’m sticking with Jimmy Thelin’s rampant Reds to make it 10 straight wins after they landed the bet at 19/20 at Ross County 2 weeks ago.

Aberdeen fans found a new hero when Kevin Nisbet sent them into orbit with his late winner in Dingwall and the striker is 13/8 to score anytime against the Steelmen who will head to Pittodrie as 4/1 underdogs.

Prodigal son Duk looks one for goals further down the line if he’s to earn his much sought after transfer away from the Dons but Thelin has a good thing going right now and Stuart Kettlewell’s quest for a third straight win may not even stretch to the 11/4 draw.

ST MIRREN V KILMARNOCK

Saints bounced back to form with a 2-2 draw at in-form Dundee before the break and the removal of Europe and the Premier Sports Cup from their diaries can see them bag a second home league win in 3 starts.

Kilmarnock are in the same boat with the League now the only focus before the Scottish Cup comes into view but they face the same climb away from the bottom of the table as Hearts with one point so far and Saints’ scoring options appear to have increased.

Kevin van Veen didn’t cut much ice at Kilmarnock but the Dutchman’s presence can fire Olusanya, Mandron and Ayunga to greater productivity and Saints can win this at a general 6/5. 

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