Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Ayr United
Saturday 12th January 1500hrs
Football – Scotland – Championship
Pick: Both teams to score
Bookmaker: Ladbrokes
Odds: 7/10 (odds taken 19.20 GMT, Friday 11th January)
Just like the Premiership in Scotland this season, the Championship has been equally as exciting and competitive, and likely to go to the wire. Second placed Ayr United make the long trip north to Inverness. Continue reading for a match preview and a selected best betting tip.
Scottish Championship Betting at Ladbrokes
Inverness Preview
Having spent a considerable amount of time in Scotland’s top league, Caley Thistle are in their second season back in the Championship and they are in danger of being one of those who clubs who become stagnated in this division. John Robertson assumed charged following their relegated to the Championship but agonisingly missed out on the playoffs by a couple of points and were consigned to the second tier for at least another season. There was something to cheer as the club won the Challenge Cup but their priority is getting out of this league and they are struggling to do that once again. Currently in sixth spot, Caley are only a couple of points of the playoff positions and have a game in hand but no team in Scotland have drawn more matches than Robertson’s men and it is an unwanted record. Having won just five games all season in the league it starts to become a concern that the players have forgotten how to win games or at least, string a run of wins together. It’s now one win in six games and they even went through a period of seven straight stalemates earlier in the season. It will be another test for them on Saturday as they welcome an Ayr United team who have taken the Championship by storm this season.
Key-Facts – Inverness v Ayr United
- No team in Scotland has drawn more league games this season than Inverness
- Ayr United’s Lawrence Shankland is average a goal a game in the league this season
- Both teams have scored in each of Inverness’ last eight home games
Ayr United Preview
Ian McCall has done a tremendous job at Ayr United and he has sent out a statement of intent this week by warning clubs that none of his players will be leaving Somerset in the January transfer window. One of the consequences of a successful team is that the players are going to be coveted and that’s been the case for the Honest Men. Considering the club were only promoted last season and have only recently become full-time, their position of second – splitting the two fancied teams for the title, Ross County and Dundee United – is an achievement in itself. McCall will be slightly frustrated that his team were unable to reclaim top spot last week, going down 1-0 at home to Falkirk, but they were without their star striker Lawrence Shankland who has scored 18 goals in as many league games this term. Shankland is expected to return for the trip to the Highlands on Saturday and his inclusion should not be underestimated. The defeat to Falkirk was their first since October, ending an unbeaten run of 10 games without loss. That will be the message from McCall to his players ahead of this game and not to dwell on what was admittedly a bad result and poor performance.
Inverness v Ayr Betting Advice
Ayr were set to host Inverness at the beginning of December only for the game to be called off due to adverse weather which means tomorrow’s game will be the first of two games between the clubs this month. That game in hand could well be significant for both club’s hopes as they try to hunt down the team’s above them. For Inverness that would be closing the gap on their rivals for the playoff positions and for Ayr it’s all about honing in and eroding Ross County’s three point lead at the top.
The 15th of September was the last and only time to date when Inverness have won at home in the league this season. It’s a record you’d expect from a team fighting relegation but also highlights how much better of Caley would be in the league if they could even have added a couple more home successes. Ayr have not lost away from home since October, a total of five games in which they have won three and drawn two. They drew on their last visit to Inverness and will be looking to get at least that too boost their hopes of the title. We’re at that stage of the season where the parks are heavier in Scotland, weather can be brutal and players are carrying knocks. The return of Shankland will mean the visitors are much more threatening and Inverness have been vulnerable of late, conceding in their last seven at home but they have scored in each of them as well. Both teams to score looks another solid bet in this one.
