Football Tips: Andy Robson’s 25/1 Celtic v Rangers FA Cup Final Bet Builder

Andy Robson is expecting the Bhoys to take the silverware on Saturday afternoon.

Celtic v Rangers Bet Builder tips, Scottish FA Cup final, saturday 25th may 2024

By / Football Tips / 6 months ago

Celtic v Rangers Betting Tips

Celtic to Win
Over 2.5 Goals
Matt O’Riley to have 2 or more Shots on Target
6 or more Cards
Callum McGregor to Commit 2 or more Fouls

The latest football odds are on PaddyPower.com now

Check out my website for a treasure trove of football betting predictions on the Premier League, SPFL, EFL, European football, Euro 2024 and beyond. You can also sharpen your betting nous with the use of my Opta-powered bet builder tool.

Celtic v Rangers
Scottish FA Cup Final at Hampden Park, Glasgow
TV: BBC Scotland, Premier Sports, Saturday, 3pm

Celtic to Win

Celtic are a strong price to win the Scottish Cup by beating Rangers in normal time given the record they enjoy against their rivals this season. This will be the fifth meeting between the clubs in 2023/24, with Brendan Rodgers’ side having won three of the previous four. The exception saw Rangers score twice late on to secure a 3-3 draw at Ibrox in early April.

Celtic’s squad, meanwhile, is in pristine shape. They are no one who is expected to miss out. By contrast, Rangers have numerous doubts coming into this game, and while Philippe Clement has intimated that he is willing to take risks over the fitness of some of his players, it is doubtful just how match-fit some will be. On top of this, the Gers have won only six of their last 14 matches in all competitions and just one of their last five away from Ibrox.

Over 2.5 Goals

One of Celtic’s strengths in a run that has seen them win 10 of their last 11 matches has been their goal-scoring power. This has particularly been the case in recent weeks. The Hoops have scored at least three goals in nine of their last 11 matches, while they have netted twice in the exceptions.

Furthermore, their defensive record is not great, with only four clean sheets kept in this time. Rangers should be wary of their opponents’ offensive strength, particularly given the number of doubts in their defensive line. Three of the four previous Old Firm games this season have produced at least three goals, and this is likely to be the fourth in succession in which the ball finds the net on three or more occasions.

Matt O’Riley to have 2 or more Shots on Target

Matt O’Riley continues to be Celtic’s player to watch in an offensive sense, having scored five goals in his last four games. His volume of shots continues to be high, too. Across these fixtures, he has had 16 efforts, 10 of which have hit the target.

He also likes threatening against Rangers. He has managed two shots on target in each of his last two matches against the Gers, and given his price of 3.4 to repeat that effort in this encounter, he is excellent value. With a goal or an assist against Celtic’s bitter rivals in each of the four previous games this season, we’re getting a good price here.

6 or more Cards

Old Firm matches may be a little milder in recent seasons than they have traditionally been, but expect a flurry of cards in this match.

Each of the two previous matches have seen exactly four cards, while there were 11 in the New Year derby the Hoops won 2-1. Although Rangers have seen two reds, Celtic have picked up more cards in each of the last three clashes between this pair, which is 2.2.

A safer bet, though, is in the sheer volume of cards. The match will be overseen by referee Nick Walsh, who averages close to five cards per game across all competitions this season. He was also the official in charge of the 11-card battle in December while his previous experience of officiating an Old Firm final, the 2023 League Cup showpiece, saw him brandish 10 yellows, which all came in the second half.

Callum McGregor to Commit 2 or more Fouls

Callum McGregor may only commit 1.00 foul per 90 on average this season in the Premiership, but when it comes to Old Firm matches, there is no doubt that he becomes a different beast.

The Celtic captain has gave away 32 fouls in the league this season, but 10 of them came in the three matches he started against the Gers. Against Rangers, he committed 3.04 fouls per 90.

The Scotland midfielder will again have a big role to play in this encounter, and the prospect of him giving away a couple of free kicks is high.

Celtic v Rangers Betting Tips

Celtic to Win
Over 2.5 Goals
Matt O’Riley to have 2 or more Shots on Target
6 or more Cards
Callum McGregor to Commit 2 or more Fouls

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.

THIS WEEKEND’S FOOTBALL TIPS

READ MORE

The latest football odds are on PaddyPower.com now

THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO SAFER GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

What do you think?