Hearts v Rangers: Scottish Premiership predictions, best bets and odds

Hearts v Rangers: Scottish Premiership predictions, best bets and odds
Hearts v Rangers: Scottish Premiership predictions, best bets and oddsFlashscore

It’s a battle for top spot in the Scottish Premiership between Hearts and Rangers at Tynecastle. Renowned football betting writer Frank Monkhouse has three picks.

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It's first v third in the Scottish Premiership on Bank Holiday Monday in Edinburgh. Long-term leaders Hearts welcome title challengers Rangers to Tynecastle for a match that could determine where the league trophy goes this term.

A home win would move the Jambos seven points clear of the Gers, effectively ending Danny Rohl's claims on the flag.

Monday will be the fourth time these teams have met in what has been an engrossing Premiership title race. The hosts famously won 2-0 at Ibrox back in the summer, before battling to a 2-1 victory at this venue just before Christmas.

Rangers rallied to collect an impressive 4-2 at Ibrox last time, with big-money striker Chermiti scoring a hat-trick.

How will Monday's match play out? A home win would move Hearts a step closer to the title, making it a two-horse race between them and defending champions Celtic.

An away win would blow the season wide open, setting up a grandstand finish. Keep reading as betting analyst Frank Monkhouse walks you through his three Premiership betting predictions.

Hearts v Rangers tips

Hearts to score first @ 1/1 (bet365)

Both teams to score @ 8/13 (bet365)

Rangers win and BTTS @ 7/2 (bet365)

Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.

Team to score first - Hearts

Monday's match will have a huge say in whether the league trophy heads to Edinburgh this spring or remains in Glasgow. The locals are unbeaten in three, taking seven of the last nine points available.

They also boast a four-point cushion over Rangers and are three points better than their nearest rivals, Celtic. The Hoops visit Easter Road on Sunday from noon.

I'll avoid picking sides for the time being, instead seeking the value available on Hearts to score first. If you choose to follow, it doesn't matter who nets for the pacesetters and when the goal arrives.

If Hearts make it 1-0 at any stage of the contest, your bet wins. Results show Rangers conceded first in each of their last two starts against Motherwell and Falkirk.

Rohl's hopefuls found themselves 2-0 down inside 26 minutes at the Falkirk Stadium, before fighting back to win 6-3. Rangers also trailed 2-0 at the break when the Steelmen were at Ibrox last weekend.

They got it back to 2-2 briefly, before Motherwell snatched a late winner. The Hearts players and staff will set out to seize on another nervy first half from the Gers.

Tip: Hearts to score first @ 1/1 (bet365)

Bet explanation: If Hearts make it 1-0 at any point in this game, your bet wins.

Both teams to score - Yes

Switching the focus to my second bet, and we're taking Yes in the both teams to score market. Sticking with recent results, we see both teams scored in each of Rangers' three games played in April.

They beat Dundee United 4-2 in Govan, thrashed Falkirk 6-3 on the road, and lost that match to Motherwell by the odd goal in five. We want more of the same.

Let's now look at how the team at the top of the Premiership performed in the same period. Derek McInnes led his troops into three games last month, and both teams scored in each match.

Hearts drew 2-2 at bottom club Livingston, before beating Motherwell 3-1 at Tynecastle. Last time out, they edged Hibs 2-1 in an action-packed Edinburgh Derby.

I'll round this off by updating readers on the head-to-head stats available on the Flashscore app now. Having your stake on both teams to score proved a smart move in each of the previous two, with Hearts winning 2-1 here, and Rangers 4-2 in Glasgow.

Going back further, BTTS would've secured you a profit in two of the last three. That's too strong to ignore.

Tip: Both teams to score @ 8/13 (bet365)

Bet explanation: You need both Hearts and Rangers to get at least one goal each in this match on Bank Holiday Monday.

Result/BTTS - Rangers & yes

As is often the case when previewing the biggest and most important football matches for Flashscore, I attempt to sign off with a winning bet at higher odds.

On Monday, I'm aiming high and taking a calculated risk when backing both teams to score in an away win. You need Rangers to leave with all three points, but the hosts must find the net in defeat.

Hearts arrive in solid form, but they've shown signs of pressure in recent outings. The locals were 1-0 down to Hibs in the derby last Sunday afternoon.

They only got level through an own goal after Hibs had been reduced to nine men following red cards to Sallinger and Passlack. Hearts also fell behind to an early goal at Almondvale, before rescuing a point.

Defeat at home to Motherwell was bitterly disappointing for all at Rangers. It was their penultimate match at Ibrox, the fans turned out to create a special atmosphere, and the sun shone on Glasgow.

Unfortunately, the players put in another horror opening 45 minutes. Everyone connected to the away dressing room know Monday is a win-at-all-costs scenario.

Tip: Rangers win and both teams to score @ 7/2 (bet365)

Bet explanation: You want to see Rangers win this match at Tynecastle, but need Hearts to score at least one goal.

Hearts v Rangers odds

Hearts win @ 7/4 (bet365)

Draw @ 12/5 (bet365)

Rangers win @ 7/5 (bet365)

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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.