WILLIE DUNCAN’S famed weekend NAP from north of the border returns for 2016/17 and he’s heading to the Scottish Premiership on Friday.
Dundee v Hamilton | Friday 19.45
Friday night football may be getting an airing south of the border for the first time this season, but it’s been a regular fixture on the Scottish football calendar for a couple of seasons now and the latest bit of Friday fun comes from Dens Park.
The game isn’t on the box, though. In fact, it’s only being played on Friday night because Dundee United – who share a street with Dundee (for now, anyway) – face Ayr United at Tannadice in the Scottish Championship on Saturday afternoon.
For that reason, the less eagle-eyed amongst you might not have even had this match on your radar, but if you miss it, you’ll miss out because these is some sensational value to be found from the first match of the weekend from Scotland.
The season is just three weeks old and – yet again – I find myself absolutely compelled to lay the boot into Hamilton Academical.
Yes, Martin Canning’s men rose to the occasion at Ibrox on the opening day of the season to leave my handicap selection on the ‘Gers looking rather silly, but the Accies have since slumped to dreadful defeats against both Greenock Morton and Kilmarnock at New Douglas Park – two results that are certain to have done some serious damage to morale in the camp.
Imagine my amazement, then, when I spotted that Dundee were odds-against – a juicy 10/9 (Marathon) – to inflict more pain on the Accies by beating them at Dens Park on Friday night.
It’s a fantastic price, for Paul Hartley’s men will be desperate to make amends after suffering a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Rangers on home soil last weekend.
The Dee claimed an impressive 3-1 away win against Ross County on the opening weekend of the new season and, with Rory Loy grabbing the goals, fans of the Dark Blues could be forgiven for forgetting about Kane Hemmings, who moved on to the dizzying heights of Oxford United in pre-season.
Dundee were in fabulous form in front of goal in the League Cup earlier this summer – notching 13 goals in just two matches on home soil, against Dumbarton and Forfar Athletic respectively and, while Accies should provide stiffer opposition than either of those two teams, if Dee have their shooting boots on – at odds against – Hartley’s men simply must be respected.
The visitors have a decent record against Dundee – they’ve only lost one of the last six meetings between the teams – and, so, they’ll fancy their chances but if Hartley’s oft inconsistent side are on their best behaviour, they’ll smash the Hamilton hoodoo into pieces.
Dundee are delicious at 10/9 and I’ll be all over the team from Tayside to bag all three points when they take on Hamilton Accies when Friday night football hits Dens Park.
Best Bets
Dundee v Hamilton – Dundee to win (10/9 Marathon)
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