YOU could put a sheet of paper between Celtic and Rangers right now – that’s how evenly matched the rivals are.
Scott Brown’s last-gasp winner against Hamilton on Wednesday edged the champions two points clear at the top as the Ibrox men dropped two points at Aberdeen.
That result may give Celtic a psychological edge but Steven Gerrard should be able to lift his men for tomorrow’s Betfred Cup Final.
I’ve thought about this game long and hard and find it almost impossible to call. However, bookies reckon Celtic are twice as likely to win than Rangers so the value is with the underdogs.
Celtic are 6-5 at William Hill and BetVictor to win in 90 minutes while sportingbet go 12-5 Rangers. On the outrights the men in blue are 11-8 at Betfred with the Hoops 4-6 at bet365.
I’m sitting firmly on the fence and backing draw at 13-5 with Betway. Rangers draw no bet tempts at 29-20 with Unibet – my only concern with the holders is Odsonne Edouard’s fitness although they’ve managed fine without their hitman.
To win after extra time both teams are 10-1 with Sky Bet and to win on penalties it’s 12-1.
It’s the game of the season and is set up to be a cracker – both sides have better forwards than defenders so should be goals despite a lack of them in recent meetings.
Our old friend Willie Collum is in charge so punters will be eyeing penalty and card markets.
Both to score pays 4-6 at McBookie and I like both to score and draw at 7-2. For a correct score what about 2-2 at 13-1 with BetVictor or 1-1 at 6-1 at McBookie.
Alfredo Morelos has been brilliant for Rangers – scoring goals and avoiding cards and this is another big test for the Colombian.
He hasn’t scored against Celtic and last season was sent off after a clash with Brown.
Morelos is 11-10 with McBookie to net – as is Edouard – but if you don’t fancy him consider the on-form Ryan Jack at 4-1.
In Edouard’s absence Christie has been scoring for fun and is 6-4 to net and 11-2 to strike first – and remember he takes penalties. A spot-kick to be awarded is 9-4 at bet365.
Christie was the last player to be sent off by Collum at Livingston on October 6 and a red card in the match pays 2-1 at Sky Bet.
Collum dished out six yellows when he refereed one Old Firm game last season and that’s the mark set by bookies so there looks little value in over 6.5 at 11-10 with Sky Bet.
In the Premiership today I like both to score at Hibs v Aberdeen. Hibs can’t buy a clean sheet and the Dons’ last four have gone that way.
Motherwell should beat Hearts at home at a best 13-10 with McBookie while there could be draws at Hamilton v St Mirren and Livingston v Killie.
In the Championship leaders Dundee United are short at home to Alloa but there is a chance of United and both to score at 9-4 with bet365. The Wasps have netted on their last visits to Tannadice and beat United at home in October.
Dunfermline are back on form and are 4-5 with Unibet to beat Morton at home and QoS are 6-4 at McBookie to add to Partick Thistle’s misery.
Dumbarton could best bets in League One at 7-5 to beat Montrose at home and there should be goals at Raith v Airdrie and I reckon the away side will at least draw.
It’s second v first in League Two as Edinburgh City tackle Cove aiming to avenge an opening-day 5-0 hammering. They are 27-10 to beat a side stunned 6-1 at Annan last week.
Annan and over 2.5 match goals should land at Stenhousemuir at 3-1 with Paddy Power.
Recommended Bets
- Rangers v Celtic draw
- Draw & Btts
- Christie to score
- Hibs v Aberdeen btts
- Motherwell
- Dundee Utd & Btts
- Dunfermline
- Queen of the South
- Raith v Airdrie btts
- Dumbarton
- Annan & over 2.5 match goals
The post Mr Fixit’s Betfred Cup Final Tips: Celtic & Rangers can’t be split appeared first on MrFixitsTips.