Raith remain the only unbeaten side in Div 1 with a 4-2-0 10:1 record. It`s that meanness at the back that has secured such a good start along with some nice performances up front. Last week`s 0-0 with Dundee should have been a 3pt game but for the heroic performance of ex-Celtic keeper Rab Douglas for Dundee. Prior to that they had drawn 0-0 with Ross County as well, ending an opening 4 game winning run. It shouldn`t be too much of a worry regards the goals drying up as Raith created chances in both games. With a mid week Cup defeat to Aberdeen, 3-2, it at least showed they were back in the goals, and a lot of praise can be given to them for what was a solid Cup display versus the SPL`s side.
Bairns to Men?
Falkirk`s Cup win over Hearts midweek will have been met with out and out joy by both the fans and the players. Manager Pressley, Ex-Hearts, may be the happiest of all as it gave Falkirk their 3rd straight win and lifted a lot of pressure from his shoulders. The Barins do try to play nice football, avoiding the favoured route One approach which has been synonymous with Scottish football for so long, and it is great to see some results starting to filter through. They have had only 2 away games in 6 so far, with one a 1-0-1 result. It`s the final third which has been their downfall in games, and facing up to a side which has conceded only once in 6 matches will prove to be a massive task for them to overcome. They may still be flying high after that Cup win, in which case they will soon be back at square one with another defeat here. However, if they can gather the momentum they have built up over the last 3 games they can stay competitive and could easily go on a decent run.
Keep the Faith in Raith
A close game on paper with 2nd vs 3rd, but for me Raith have the better form plus they are simply too tight at the back. Falkirk are a side which struggles in breaking down defences, so facing the meanest in the league won`t help. It pays to note that only the SPL`s Celtic can match Raith for their defensive strength with only 1 conceded so far, AND Raith have played a game more! Falkirk could well start to play to their potential and walk away with this match, but I`d need further proof before believing that. But for a brilliant penalty save in their last game Raith would be top of the league, and with that in mind I`ll stick with the form team. Taking the AH 0 offers some insurance and it`s worth playing it smart between these two. A maximum bet, though, as Raith are simply too difficult to pass.
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Prediction:
Tip: 1 AH (0)
Odd: 2.09
Bookie: Bet365
Stake: 10 /10
Tipster: Kather
