The Scottish Premiership will kick off at the start of August and fans are excitedly counting down the days for the league's big return. While Celtic and Rangers are expected to battle it out at the top, storied clubs including Aberdeen, Dundee United, Hearts and Hibernian will all be aiming for strong campaigns and pushing to qualify for Europe. Then there are promoted duo Falkirk and Livingston who will consider survival a success.
Many fans enjoy predicting the outcome of games to add an extra thrill to the action going on. Whether you are a regular when it comes to betting on a newbie keen to explore online betting options around the Scottish Premiership, there are a number of strategies to follow so that you can make smart and informed decisions.
Become a Scottish Football Nerd
Before flying into place bets on games, there is plenty of time to become an expert on Scottish football ahead of the first ball being kicked when Kilmarnock host Livingston. Get to know every team, learn the name of each player and get a strong understanding of what the league is about.
Look at the odds around the title, relegation and in head-to-head matches. This will give you an immediate idea as to which sides are favourites and who the teams are most expected to struggle as the season goes on. Having a grasp of the league and building your knowledge will help you make wagers from a place of authority. Conducting thorough research will ensure you make educated guesses as opposed to random punts when online betting.
Track the Summer Transfers
It's imperative you become aware of all the players in the Scottish Premiership but it's wise to note that the summer is a hive of activity as different names come and go as clubs get their squads ready for the new campaign.
All deals will be confirmed on official club platform and social media feeds while, of course, television news programmes and newspaper will also keep you up-to-date on all of the moves. To stay ahead of the game, you can also read up on the rumours doing the rounds. Just this week, Rangers have been linked with a move for Premier League title winner Jamie Vardy after the forward opted to leave Leicester City.
Following the transfer window is a great way to gather details on each team and assess how strong each side is but it's also an entertaining time, as fans eagerly await updates on the next exciting signing their team has made.
Check Out the Early Fixtures
The first set of fixtures will often define the rest of the season and so it is crucial you check out the opening games to help you assess how teams might navigate the early months. Take Aberdeen, for example, who first travel to Tynecastle to face Hearts before hosting Celtic ahead of another trip to Dundee United. On paper, it is far from the easiest start and then you must take into account the Dons will also play in the Europa League play-off round.
Some clubs will have a demanding schedule while the fixture computer may have given them a tough August and September and it can have a direct influence on how the season plays out. Look at the fixture list and see when clubs have their toughest run so you can start to work out how you're going to make your bets at different stages of the calendar.
Follow the Narratives Around each Club
Narratives shape teams throughout the season and it's how different stories play out which makes the Scottish Premiership so enjoyable to watch. Nothing is black and white and it's the drama and unpredictability of the game which makes it so compelling to view. The team tipped to finish bottom will sometimes surprise and go on an impressive run against the odds which makes online betting such an intriguing pastime.
New Rangers manager Russell Martin plays an expansive type of football which heavily focuses on possession and starting play out from the back. With that in mind, many pundits and fans will be expecting the team to concede a fair amount of goals playing a more risky brand of football. Martin's side may disprove the theory in time but it's savvy to take these narratives into account and see how they play out when making your predictions.
Don't Always Back the Favourites
Celtic and Rangers have dominated Scottish football and so naturally the two Glasgow clubs are always the favourites to win the title each season. Now, while it may be wise to back Celtic or Rangers to finish first, there is no value in backing the sides to claim a victory every single week.
Looking at last season, there were nine occasions when champions Celtic didn't win their game which is a quarter of the season. Therefore, while there will be plenty of times backing the Bhoys is the smart move, always be aware of the potential for Brendan Rodgers' side to slip up. Same with Rangers, especially as the club embarks on a new era.
Overall, knowledge is power when it comes to online betting on the Scottish Premiership and so it's crucial fans take the time to do real research so that they don't run into any surprises when the season kicks off in August.