Last Updated on August 11, 2026 by Maurya
The Scottish Premiership 2026/27 betting market is already taking shape, and the opening weeks have given punters plenty to think about. Celtic have started strongly, Rangers have suffered an early setback, Hearts remain capable of disrupting the traditional Glasgow dominance, and several clubs look capable of turning the race for the top six into one of the most competitive parts of the season.
For bettors, the William Hill Premiership offers much more than simply choosing the league champion. Markets include the Scottish Premiership winner, top goalscorer, top-six finish, bottom-six finish, relegation and match betting, alongside familiar options such as both teams to score, handicaps and draw-no-bet.
Scottish Premiership 2026/27 Odds
The title market currently makes Celtic clear favourites.
As of 11 August 2026, leading prices displayed by Oddschecker were:
| Team | Scottish Premiership Winner Odds |
| Celtic | 2/5 |
| Rangers | 3/1 |
| Hearts | 14/1 |
| Hibernian | 100/1 |
The gap between Celtic and Rangers has widened following the opening two rounds. However, outright football markets can change considerably over a full campaign, particularly after transfers, injuries, managerial changes, European commitments and head-to-head meetings.
The most important point when assessing these prices is that shortest odds do not automatically mean best value. Celtic may be the most likely champions according to the market, but bettors still need to decide whether the available price accurately reflects their chance of winning.
Scottish Premiership 2026/27: Current Table
After two matches, Celtic sit top of the table with six points and a goal difference of +5. St Mirren also have six points, while Motherwell have collected four.
Rangers, meanwhile, have just one point from their first two Premiership fixtures.
The table on 11 August 2026 was:
| Pos. | Club | Played | Points |
| 1 | Celtic | 2 | 6 |
| 2 | St Mirren | 2 | 6 |
| 3 | Motherwell | 2 | 4 |
| 4 | Hearts | 2 | 3 |
| 5 | Dundee | 2 | 3 |
| 6 | St Johnstone | 2 | 3 |
| 7 | Hibernian | 2 | 3 |
| 8 | Aberdeen | 2 | 3 |
| 9 | Rangers | 2 | 1 |
| 10 | Falkirk | 2 | 1 |
| 11 | Dundee United | 2 | 1 |
| 12 | Kilmarnock | 2 | 0 |
At this stage, the table should be treated carefully. Two games represent only a tiny portion of a 38-match season. Early results can influence betting prices more dramatically than they should, sometimes creating opportunities for bettors who believe the market has overreacted.
Celtic – Clear Scottish Premiership Title Favourites
Celtic begin any Scottish title discussion from a position of considerable strength.
They won the 2025/26 Premiership with 82 points, but their victory was anything but comfortable. Hearts finished only two points behind them on 80, while Rangers finished third with 72 points.
That close finish is important when assessing the 2026/27 market. The assumption that the title must become a straightforward Celtic-Rangers battle was challenged last season.
Celtic have nevertheless strengthened their position with an excellent beginning to the new campaign.
Their second league fixture delivered a convincing 5-1 victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. New signing Kasper Hogh scored a first-half hat-trick, with Benjamin Nygren and Luke McCowan also finding the net.
Two wins, six points and five goals of positive goal difference have helped drive Celtic’s title odds down to around 2/5 in the market checked for this article.
Celtic Betting Verdict
Celtic are understandably the team to beat. Their strong start and status as defending champions justify favouritism.
The bigger betting question is price.
At very short odds, there is less room for unexpected events such as injuries, poor form or a serious challenge from another club. Anyone considering Celtic in the outright market should therefore compare bookmakers rather than automatically accepting the first price available.
Rangers – Can They Recover From a Slow Start?
Rangers represent the most obvious alternative to Celtic in the outright market, but their opening league results have created immediate pressure.
After two matches, Rangers have only one point and sit ninth in the early Premiership table.
Their second league match ended in a 2-1 home defeat against Hibernian. Josh Campbell gave Hibs the lead from the penalty spot, Rangers benefited from a late own goal to equalise, but Callum Wright scored a stoppage-time winner for Hibernian.
The result has contributed to a notable early gap in the outright market. Rangers were around 3/1 for the Premiership title when the odds were checked, compared with Celtic at 2/5.
Two matches should not determine an entire season, though.
The key issue for outright bettors is whether Rangers’ disappointing start represents a deeper problem or simply early-season volatility. A strong run could quickly shorten their price, especially if Celtic drop points.
Rangers Betting Verdict
Rangers may appeal more to bettors searching for a bigger price than Celtic, but the extra potential return comes with greater uncertainty.
Rather than reacting exclusively to two league fixtures, assess squad depth, performances, injuries, transfer activity and the team’s ability to put together extended winning runs.
In a league where Celtic can accumulate points rapidly, Rangers cannot afford many extended periods of inconsistency.
Hearts – The Most Interesting Challenger?
Hearts deserve serious attention after what happened in 2025/26.
They finished just two points behind Celtic, ending the campaign on 80 points compared with Celtic’s 82. They also finished eight points above Rangers.
Despite that performance, Hearts were available at around 14/1 for the 2026/27 championship when checked on 11 August.
Their new season has started with mixed results, but a 4-0 victory over Dundee United at Tynecastle demonstrated their attacking potential. Tom Renaud, Calvin Miller, Claudio Braga and Josh McPake scored in that win.
For value-focused bettors, Hearts create an interesting debate.
Backing Celtic is essentially a bet on the strongest market favourite continuing to deliver. Backing Hearts is considerably more speculative, but last season provides genuine evidence that the Edinburgh side can compete near the top over a full campaign.
Hearts Betting Verdict
Hearts are arguably more interesting as a value discussion than as a straightforward prediction.
A 14/1 price reflects significant doubt about them sustaining another title challenge, but their 2025/26 performance means they cannot simply be dismissed as an ordinary outsider.
Their results against Celtic and Rangers could become particularly important.
Hibernian – An Outsider Worth Watching
Hibernian were listed at around 100/1 in the outright winner market on 11 August, putting them well behind Celtic, Rangers and Hearts.
Winning the championship would require an exceptional season, but Hibs have already demonstrated their ability to cause problems for the traditional favourites with that dramatic 2-1 victory at Ibrox.
Rather than focusing on Hibernian as a title bet, markets such as top six, individual matches, draw-no-bet or handicap betting may provide more realistic opportunities.
Their performances against stronger opposition should be monitored closely.
Aberdeen and the Top-Six Battle
Aberdeen are another club that will attract interest throughout the campaign.
Their opening two matches produced one victory and one defeat, leaving them on three points after two rounds.
Oddschecker had Aberdeen around 2/5 to finish in the top six, behind Celtic, Rangers and Hearts among the leading names displayed in that market.
That illustrates an important point about Scottish Premiership betting: you do not have to predict the champion to find an interesting season-long market.
For clubs such as Aberdeen, Hibernian, Motherwell and St Mirren, top-six betting may be more relevant than championship odds.
Why the Top-Six Market Matters
The Premiership format gives the top-six race additional importance.
After every club has completed 33 league fixtures, the division splits into two groups. Teams ranked first through sixth enter the top section, while teams ranked seventh through twelfth enter the bottom section. Each club then plays five more games, making 38 league matches in total.
That creates an obvious betting milestone.
A club does not necessarily need to challenge Celtic or Rangers to produce a successful campaign. Reaching the top six can itself become a significant objective.
When assessing this market, bettors should look beyond league position and consider:
- underlying performances rather than results alone;
- home and away form;
- goal difference;
- injuries and squad depth;
- strength of remaining fixtures before the split;
- January transfer business;
- performances against direct top-six rivals.
A team sitting seventh or eighth halfway through the season may still offer better value than one occupying fifth after benefiting from a favourable schedule.
Scottish Premiership Top Goalscorer Odds 2026/27
The top goalscorer market is another popular alternative to the league winner.
On 11 August, the leading prices displayed by Oddschecker included:
| Player | Top Goalscorer Odds |
| Kasper Hogh | 11/10 |
| Lawrence Shankland | 11/2 |
| Benjamin Nygren | 7/1 |
| Camilo Duran | 12/1 |
| Kevin Nisbet | 22/1 |
Hogh’s position at the top of the market is hardly surprising after his hat-trick against Kilmarnock.
However, goalscorer markets can move especially quickly.
Before backing a player, consider expected playing time, penalty duties, injury record, European rotation, transfer speculation and the attacking strength of his club.
The best striker does not always win the Golden Boot. Availability and minutes can be equally important.
Scottish Premiership Relegation and Bottom-Club Odds
At the other end of the table, the fight for survival provides another major outright market.
The prices checked on 11 August made Kilmarnock the shortest-priced side to finish bottom at 13/5. Falkirk and St Johnstone were both around 17/4, while Dundee were available at 5/1.
Kilmarnock were also bottom of the early league table after losing their first two matches, with a -5 goal difference.
Again, caution is essential.
Two defeats do not establish that a team will finish bottom after 38 games. Relegation markets can be especially sensitive to short runs of poor form.
Squad depth, managerial stability, January recruitment and results against other bottom-half clubs are generally more useful indicators over the course of the season.
Best Scottish Premiership Betting Markets to Consider
The variety of available markets means bettors can choose an approach that suits their analysis rather than forcing every opinion into a match-winner bet.
Popular Scottish Premiership betting options include:
Match Result – 1X2: Back the home win, draw or away win.
Draw No Bet: Your stake is normally returned if the match finishes level, reducing some of the risk associated with a straight win bet.
Both Teams to Score: Focuses on whether each team will score rather than which side wins.
Over/Under Goals: Useful when your analysis centres on the expected number of goals.
Asian or European Handicaps: Allows favourites to give opponents a virtual advantage or underdogs to receive one.
Top-Six Finish: Particularly relevant for teams outside the main championship contenders.
To Finish Bottom: A season-long alternative to individual relegation-related match bets.
Top Goalscorer: A player-based outright market.
Premiership Winner: The traditional championship bet.
These and additional markets are offered across current Scottish Premiership betting listings.
How to Compare Scottish Premiership Odds
Odds comparison is one of the simplest ways to improve the potential return on a winning football bet.
Imagine two bookmakers both offer a price on the same team. The event and outcome are identical, so accepting a shorter price unnecessarily reduces the possible payout.
This becomes particularly important with season-long markets because differences between bookmakers can be meaningful.
Before betting:
- Compare the same market across several licensed bookmakers.
- Confirm that the market rules are identical.
- Check whether the displayed odds have changed.
- Read settlement rules for unusual outcomes.
- Never select a bookmaker purely because of a promotional headline.
The objective should be finding an appropriate price for a bet you already consider worthwhile—not inventing a bet simply because a promotion exists.
Early-Season Betting: Avoid Overreacting
Perhaps the biggest challenge in August is separating useful evidence from noise.
Celtic’s strong start matters. Rangers’ slow start matters. Hearts scoring four against Dundee United matters.
But none of those events alone determines what will happen in May.
The Premiership’s first two rounds account for only a small fraction of a 38-game league campaign.
Successful football analysis should therefore combine several factors:
Results: Is the team actually winning?
Performance: Were those victories convincing or fortunate?
Opposition quality: Beating a title rival tells us something different from beating a struggling side.
Squad changes: New signings may need time to settle.
Fixture congestion: European football can affect preparation, rotation and fatigue.
Injuries: Losing a key goalkeeper, centre-forward or creative midfielder can substantially change expectations.
Market movement: A rapidly shortening price may indicate that bookmakers and bettors are reassessing a team’s chances.
This broader approach is considerably more useful than simply backing whoever won most recently.
Important 2026/27 Scottish Premiership Dates
The SPFL scheduled the opening Premiership round for the weekend of 1/2 August 2026.
Fixture round 33—the point immediately before the post-season split—is scheduled for the weekend of 10/11 April 2027, while the final round is planned for the weekend of 15/16 May 2027. The Premiership play-off final is scheduled over two legs on 20 and 23 May 2027.
These dates matter to outright bettors because prices can change sharply around the league split and during the closing weeks of the season.
Scottish Premiership 2026/27 Betting Prediction
Based on the information available on 11 August 2026, Celtic deserve to remain title favourites.
They are the defending champions, have started the new campaign with two victories and produced an emphatic 5-1 result against Kilmarnock. The betting market reflects that position with Celtic around 2/5.
Rangers remain the strongest market alternative at around 3/1, but taking one point from their opening two matches means improvement is required.
Hearts are the outsider to watch. Finishing only two points behind Celtic last season provides much stronger evidence of their potential than their 14/1 price alone might suggest. That does not make Hearts a guaranteed value bet, but it certainly makes their progress worth monitoring.
For bettors who do not want to take a very short Celtic price, the strongest opportunities may eventually emerge in the top-six, goalscorer, handicap and match-specific markets rather than trying to identify a surprise league champion.
Final Thoughts
The Scottish Premiership 2026/27 betting season has started with an intriguing contrast.
Celtic have immediately reinforced their position as favourites. Rangers have given themselves early ground to recover. Hearts remain dangerous after pushing Celtic all the way last season, while Hibernian have already demonstrated their ability to upset one of the Glasgow giants.
Further down the league, St Mirren and Motherwell have started positively while Kilmarnock’s early difficulties have pushed them towards the front of the bottom-team betting market.
The most effective approach is not simply asking, “Who will win?”
Compare prices, understand exactly what each market represents, consider the evidence behind recent results and remember that football odds continually adjust as new information becomes available.
For the 2026/27 Premiership, Celtic are the clear team to beat—but last season’s two-point title margin is a useful reminder that Scottish football can still produce a much closer race than the shortest odds might imply.
FAQs
Who are the favourites to win the Scottish Premiership 2026/27?
Celtic are currently clear favourites. Oddschecker listed Celtic at approximately 2/5 on 11 August 2026, ahead of Rangers at 3/1 and Hearts at 14/1.
Who won the Scottish Premiership in 2025/26?
Celtic won the 2025/26 title with 82 points. Hearts finished second with 80 points and Rangers third with 72.
Who is favourite to be Scottish Premiership top goalscorer?
Kasper Hogh headed the market at approximately 11/10 when checked on 11 August 2026, followed by Lawrence Shankland and Benjamin Nygren.
How many games does each Scottish Premiership club play?
Each team plays 38 league matches. After 33 matches the league divides into a top six and bottom six, after which each club plays another five fixtures.
When does the 2026/27 Scottish Premiership season finish?
The SPFL has fixture round 38 scheduled for the weekend of 15/16 May 2027.
Do Scottish Premiership odds change during the season?
Yes. Outright and match odds can change because of results, injuries, transfers, team news, betting activity and other new information. Always check the latest price immediately before placing a wager.
Responsible Gambling
Betting should be treated as entertainment rather than a way to make money. There is no betting strategy that guarantees a profit, and even strong favourites can lose. Set a budget before betting, avoid chasing losses and never gamble with money required for essential expenses. UK gambling products are for 18+ adults.
