Kilmarnock v Ross County
Saturday 23 May 2015 – Kickoff: 1500hrs
Football – Scotland – Scottish Premiership
Going into last weekend’s games, both Kilmarnock and Ross County were still in contention to finish second bottom of the Scottish Premiership, which brings with it unwanted entry to the end of season, relegation play-offs. Neither have to worry about that anymore, though, as the two clubs managed to record victories, meaning Motherwell will fair to face either Rangers or Hibernian to retain their status as a top flight club. The two sets of players, both managers, and the clubs’ supporters can now relax and enjoy the final game of the season before going off on their summer holidays. Despite that, there is still likely to be a competitive edge to the match at Rugby Park as the two teams are separated only by goal difference meaning whoever wins would finish ninth. That is obviously a minor success but it does bring with it extra revenue which is always welcome in Scotland.
Gary Locke took over from former manager Allan Johnston earlier this year and has achieved his first objective by securing Killie’s safety for another season. It would have been a lot closer than he would have liked, of course, as the Ayrshire club suffered a disastrous run of six straight defeats between April and May. That run was brought to an emphatic end with a comprehensive 4-1 win away to Partick Thistle last Saturday. That was Kilmarnock’s first victory in the league since the middle of March, illustrating just how vital it was. It was also the first time they have scored four goals in an away match in 18 months. They certainly could not pick a better time to do it.
What a last third of the campaign it was for Jim McIntyre and his Ross County players. The Staggies took 29 points from their last 13 games which ultimately saved them from not only the relegation play-off match, but bottom spot and automatic relegation to the Championship. That run of form was a huge transformation for a club who lost their first seven games of the season and won only two of their first 24 in the 2014/15 Premiership. In spite of that excellent run, County have wasted no time in clearing out the majority of the squad with 14 players being released after this weekend’s game, as McIntyre looks to rebuild ahead of what he hopes is a more productive new season.
This game could well have and end of season feel to it following last week’s excitement. Kilmarnock took complete control of their game with Partick and turn in arguably their best performance of the season, but it was not as straightforward for Ross County. They were level going into the closing minutes at home to Hamilton, and had been reduced to 10 men, before Liam Boyce popped up with the most crucial goal of his career to take all three points and prevent and last day drama. It was another indication of how much County have improved over the last three months.
Kilmarnock v Ross County Betting Tips
The Scottish Premiership splits into two groups of six teams after 33 games to try and guarantee some excitement and drama at both ends of the table. Unfortunately, that is rarely the case and once again we’re landed with six dead rubbers as everything that needs to be decided, has been decided. That makes it difficult to find a betting angle but I think this game is destined to have goals, and plenty of them. Eight of the 11 meetings between these two have had at least three goals in them and I expect more of the same on Saturday. All of Kilmarnock’s last eight games have went Over 2.5 goals and 13 of their 20 games in 2015 have also seen this occur. Games involving Ross County are also usually good for goals, also. Seven of their last nine have had 3+, whist their 37 league games have the second highest goal average at 2.88. It could be argued that their will be a lack of intensity due to both clubs being safe and with the impending departure of so many of the Ross County squad – I don’t buy into that. I actually believe that the more relaxed tempo will only increase the chances of goals at either end as the two clubs look to finish the season on a positive note.
I have opted for Over 2.5 goals but I certainly would not put anybody off for being slightly more adventurous and go for Over 3.5, or over Over 4.5.
Over 2.5 goals 4/5 @ Ladbrokes
