* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
I know it’s not a new thing, but cup finals in December? Really, Scotland? As always the Scottish leagues are blazing a trail and a little competition called the World Cup likes the cut of their jib and will follow suit next year.
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It’s always been true; where the Scottish League Cup leads, others follow. At the vanguard of progressive football fixture scheduling this year are Hibs and Celtic who meet at Hampden Park to battle it out for some early-season silverware.
Celtic are Paddy’s big favorites and they’re in simply sensational form. Hibs, well, they’re slap-bang in the middle of the Premiership table and have won just one of their last five. A foregone conclusion? Let’s dig deeper with your three best bets.
Short-priced punt: Celtic to Win
Sorry to be boring but by all accounts Celtic should be wrapping up their 20th league cup courtesy of their 200th win over Hibs in all competitions. Ange Postecoglou and pals are in blistering form and have won nine of their last 10 in all competitions with their only defeat coming away at Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League. Going further back they’ve won 13 of their last 15.
Hibs, on the other hand, have won just three of their last 12 in all competitions, drawing two and losing seven. They also lost 3-1 at home to Celtic back in October. There’s nothing really to give Hibs any hope on paper bar something completely mad like a global pandemic mixing things up. Your safest play here is Celtic to Win inside the 90.
Value Play: Celtic and Over 3.5 Goals
Looking at Hibs’ recent form you’d immediately rubbish the high-scoring element of this Celtic to Win and Over 3.5 Goals punt. The Hibees haven’t had Over 3.5 Goals in any game since they beat Rangers in the semi final of this competition back on the 21st of November. Incidentally, it also landed the game before when they lost 3-1 to Celtic.
And that could be the key. Hibs can keep it tight against most of the Premiership but the goals go in against the Old Firm. Since that 3-1 win for Celtic in the Premiership The Bhoys have seen Over 3.5 Goals land four times in 10 games and they were a goal shy on two other occasions.
Long Shot: David Turnbull to Score First
Celtic do have a lot of injury problems with Kyogo Furuhashi and James Forrest big doubts for this one. Albian Ajeti, Jota and Giorgos Giakoumakis are definitely out, leaving The Bhoys a bit lacking in the attacking department.
With Furuhashi a doubt I’ll look elsewhere in the goal-scorer markets and will turn to David Turnbull to Score First. The midfielder has been in fine goal-scoring form of late and successfully converted their last penalty.
He’s scored in two of his last three appearances and has been stepping up in the absence of other more prolific scorers. If Furuhashi does start he’s the man to back but if not, Turnbull could be the best bet to open the scoring here. As a side note, if Furuhashi’s on the bench he might be a shout to Score Last.
Hibs v Celtic tips
Short-priced punt: Celtic to Win
Value Play: Celtic and Over 3.5 Goals
Long Shot: David Turnbull to Score First
All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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