Traditionally the FA Cup final brought the curtain down on the football season but nowadays it feels like it's slotted in to the fixture list as an afterthought.
Whether it's lost some of it's appeal is a discussion for another day but it's still a trophy every player wants to win and we should be served up with an intriguing match at Wembley this evening.
Having already lifted the League Cup, Liverpool still harbour ambitions of an historic Quadruple, while for Chelsea it's the chance to finish a season that promised so much with some silverware.
The Reds' title ambitions suffered a serious blow last weekend when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Spurs and they now need a slip-up by Man City if they're to wrestle the title away from Manchester but they're hot favourites at 4/7 to lift the FA Cup for the eighth time.
It's 16 years since Steven Gerrard inspired Liverpool's last FA Cup triumph whilst the Blues have lifted the famous old trophy five times since then including a 2012 win over tonight's opponents, who featured Jordan Henderson in midfield, the only survivor in either squad.
In the head-to-heads there's been nothing to split the two sides with the three most recent meetings finishing all-square. The draw is priced at 5/2, but there's 16 points between the sides in the league and when push comes to shove Liverpool have the better side and are in better form therefore the 11/10 on them winning inside the 90 minutes is begging to snapped up.
In Scotland, Celtic will lift the Premiership trophy for the 10th time in 11 years this afternoon after they've taken care of business against a Motherwell side who could be forgiven for having their sunglasses and flip-flops packed for the trip to Celtic Park.
It's very much ‘job done' for Well this season after securing a European place on Wednesday night despite some abysmal form in 2022. It could be a long afternoon for them in the east end of Glasgow though as Celtic Park will be in party mode.
During the nine-in-row years Celtic usually had the Scottish title wrapped up before the final match of the season and more often than not they signed off in style. On no less than five occasions they scored four or more;
- 2020 – Celtic 5 St Mirren 0
- 2016 – Celtic 7 Motherwell 0
- 2015 – Celtic 5 Inverness 0
- 2013 – Dundee Utd 0 Celtic 4
- 2011 – Celtic 5 Hearts 0
It could be another goal-laden afternoon for the Bhoys who'll say goodbye to a couple of stalwarts in the shape of Nir Bitton and Tom Rogic and with uncertainty surrounding the futures of loan signings Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota it could be the last chance for a few players to put on a show for the Parkhead faithful.
A Celtic win at 1/6 won't pay the bills but backing them to hit four once more is very appealing at 7/4.
Elsewhere in the Premiership the other two games look best left alone. Hearts v Rangers is unlikley to be dress rehearsal for next week's Scottish Cup final with both sides expected to make a raft of changes. Ross County v Dundee Utd is a dead rubber too.
Well done to Jamie Kennedy and Greg MacLean who both landed winners yesterday, keep an eye for their Saturday tips below.
And The Caddy is at it again. His 5pts Super Nap has won yet again after only 36 holes thanks to Jason Day beating Kevin Kisner. 22/1 tip Sam Horsfield is also joint leader at the Soudal Open on -8 so fingers crossed for his backers that he can keep his nose oin front for the remaning two rounds.
Super Singles
Upcoming Match Previews & Tips
- Scott Allot's Euro Tips: Haaland to bow out on a high
- European BTTS Tips: Goals in Italy, France & Austria
- Saturday's Goals Accumulator Tips: Today’s 11/2 Both Teams to Score & Total Team Goals Acca
- Mark Walker's Scottish Tips: Hibs Can Take Advantage Against Shadow Saints Side
- Sat 12:15 Heart of Midlothian v Rangers
- Sat 12:15 Celtic v Motherwell
- Sat 15:00 Sheffield United v Nottingham Forest
- Sat 16:45 FA Cup Final: Chelsea v Liverpool
- Sat 19:45 Mansfield Town v Northampton Town
Racing Tips
Rizzel has picked out some big priced selections for his Saturday bets.
As always, let us know your tips and predictions for today in the comments section below and good luck with all your bets!
The post Saturday’s Football Tips: A Cup Double? Take It as Red appeared first on MrFixitsTips.
