Scottish Premier League Betting Picks - 4 August 2011

Rob Alexander picks out some value bets for the third weekend of the SPL season.

With Rangers taking on Chelsea and Kilmarnock playing Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, only four SPL matches take place over the weekend. Celtic play their second match of the SPL season after playing a friendly against Inter Milan during the previous SPL match week. Neil Lennon's men face a tricky trip to Aberdeen on Sunday.

The first managerial casualty of the season was Jim Jefferies of Hearts, who was sacked after his side's home loss last week to Dundee United. Whether that result had any bearing on the appointment of Paulo Sergio is questionable as owner Vladimir Romanov alluded to the "one competitive win in 15 matches" as the main reason. Sergio, the former Sporting Lisbon coach, travels with his side to league leaders Motherwell on Sunday.

Only Inverness Caledonian Thistle are yet to register a point on the board after an injury time winner for Hibernian last weekend saw the Highland side lose their 100 per cent home record against Hibs after about five years. Terry Butcher remains confident that his vastly new squad are good enough to compete and will start putting points on the board soon. Inverness travel to newly promoted Dunfermline Athletic on Saturday.

Perennial SPL relegation candidates St Mirren have started the season well and are targetting a top six finish this season. Danny Lennon's side have ambition and some excellent signings in the close season have added to the squad's depth and quality. The Paisley side face a big test on Saturday as they travel to Dundee United; who don't seem to be suffering any ill effect after losing star striker David Goodwillie to Blackburn Rovers.

Weekend Pick

Dunfermline Athletic v Inverness CT

Dunfermline and Inverness are likely relegation candidates this season and this early contest between the two sides could be seen as a test of their winning mentalities, though perhaps it is too early to tell as both sides are still settling in to the new season.

The home side drew their first match 0-0 at home to St Mirren and were lucky to escape with the point after Buddies striker Steven Thompson missed a penalty on his return to the SPL.

Inverness are also yet to score in their two matches so far this season, including a 3-0 away loss to Motherwell on the opening day. From match reports of their two games this season it sounds like Inverness have hit the woodwork more than any other side so far this season, including twice in a matter of minutes at Motherwell.

With Inverness' season last year built upon a fantastic away record (only beaten by the Old Firm), I am backing Caley Thistle to win the match with a full goal headstart at best odds of 3.2 with bet365.

Bet one point on Inverness CT -0.5, -1 at 3.2 with bet365.