Hearts v Rangers: Betting Preview & Tips

SPL | selectabet | August 22, 2009 at 6:29 pm

heartsvrangers Hearts v Rangers
Live on Sky Sports 3. Kick off: 12.45 pm

Life is never dull down Gorgie Way. This week’s episode has seen Hearts boss Csaba Laszlo threaten to walk if he’s not supported in the transfer market. His case was hardly strengthened by a 4-0 drubbing in Zagreb on Wednesday but it’s par for the course in the Heart of Midlothian soap opera.

Laszlo needs to get more out of the players he’s got. Simple as. If you take in the games towards the end of last season, the Jambos have scored in just 1 game in their last 8 competitive outings. A shocking stat and one that’s likely to mean Laszlo will be pushed before he can jump, if it continues.

Ordinarily you’d think a visit by the SPL champions is the last thing Hearts fans would want but their team often save their best performances of the season for Old Firm visits. In fact Hearts have two of last 3 times that Rangers have come calling but they have to seriously overcome the form book to claim anything tomorrow.

Rangers finished last season superbly to claim their first title in 4 years and started with a win last week against Falkirk. Boss Walter Smith was not fooled by the 4-1 scoreline though and knows his side will need to be better tomorrow. Hearts on the other hand lost out 2-0 to Dundee United and followed that up with defeat in Croatia so morale needs picking up off the floor if they’re to turn things around.

But having seen their abject display in mdweek I don’t fancy their chances and neither do the bookies who make them 5/1 (Bet365, Blue Sq, Canbet, Coral, Expekt, SkyBet, William Hill) shots for the win. Rangers though look a handy price at 4/6 (Boylesports, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, Totesport) and those look decent odds.

With Hearts inability to find the back of the net I also like the look the 2/1 (Totesport) on the Gers to win to nil. It’s worth noting that they’ve managed to do so on 4 of the last 6 meetings so at 2/1 it could be worth a wee flutter.