Motherwell v Celtic (-1) Betting Tip 2 – Saturday 30 September 2012

International Football Tips

Motherwell play host to Celtic in a battle of two of the top three in the SPL on Saturday at Fir Park. It’s the home side who sit top of the table after three wins and four draws from their first seven matches making them the only unbeaten side in the Premier League in Scotland. Stuart McCall’s men could be sitting further clear, and probably should be, after losing two late goals last Sunday against Aberdeen. Despite leading 3-1 in the dying stages of the match they lost concentration as well as two points but it’s another league match negotiated without defeat and one which showcased their attacking talents once again. Unfortunately for McCall they were unable to transfer their league form to the cup as they were brushed aside by Third Division Rangers midweek. It’s another in a long list of capitulations at Ibrox but it would be folly to believe that they won’t bounce back with a performance at home against the Champions.

Celtic have made an indifferent start to the defence of their league title with so much emphasis on qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in four years. Players were rested; they had to contend with injuries and there was a lack of desire as well in games. Neil Lennon looks to have rectified the attitude and as they have achieved qualification, there is not as much rotation. It’s resulted in successive comfortable victories over Falkirk and most recently, Raith Rovers in the League Cup. The most pleasing aspect of both victories will be the return to form of Gary Hooper who scored five of Celtic’s six. The Englishman had a quiet start to the season, especially domestically, but he’s been prolific in his two previous season so it was only a matter of time before the goals came.

I mentioned Motherwell’s attacking threat and it’s been the key to their early season success. They are the SPL’s highest scorers and at the centre of it all is Michael Higdon. Jeered by his own supporters early in his Fir Park career, the former Falkirk and St Mirren striker is arguably ‘Well’s most important player as he not only adds goals himself, but he brings others into the game by taking the attention of them. So many opposition defenders are distracted by his presence that it allows the wide players and support striker to get in behind.

Celtic have an important Champions League match against in Moscow against Spartak on Tuesday but this match will require their full attention. There’s little doubt that Rangers’ demotion to the Third has meant that there hasn’t been the same intensity in their domestic games but they won’t want to concede anymore ground to tomorrow’s opponents. Lennon and his players will want to lay down a marker before concentrating on the European action.

The last week has saw Celtic return to something like their best and their team is a lot more settled than it was earlier in the season. Hooper is bang on form and will be popular for first goalscorer. Despite Motherwell’s good start in the league, their limitations were made apparent on Wednesday at Ibrox and I think Celtic can inflict a similar defeat – winning by more than a goal.

Celtic – 1 15/8 @ Ladbrokes