FORM often goes out of the window in semi-finals but I expect nothing but easy wins for the Old Firm this weekend.
It’s Glasgow v Edinburgh today and tomorrow but the capital clubs have fallen miles behind their big-spending rivals with both languishing in the bottom four.
Over the last two seasons Celtic v Hibs and Rangers v Hearts have been competitive and exciting – sometimes tough to call.
But while I hate using the term “bankers” that’s exactly what the runaway top two look and we should have a Celtic v Rangers final to savour next month.
Bookies are of course no fools – and a Glasgow double in 90 minutes pays a biggest 3-4 with McBookie so it’s one for the big hitters.
As always I’m trying to find value and both to win by two or more should land at 5-2 with McBookie.
First up today it’s Hibs v Celtic with Neil Lennon’s side winning four in a row since losing to Livingston with an aggregate of 14-1.
This season it was 1-1 at Easter Road but the Hoops have stepped up a couple of gears and are going for 30 domestic knockout wins in a row. Celtic and over 2.5 goals should win at 17-20 with McBookie and the -1 handicap is 4-5 with the Scots firm.
Hibs recovered from 2-0 to draw with Livingston on Wednesday and that’s five score draws in a row but they’re just one point clear of bottom pair St Mirren and Hearts and short of confidence.
Celtic are a little short up top but still scoring plenty. Odsonne Edouard is 3-1 favourite at McBookie to break the deadlock and Mohamed Elyounoussi has a chance at 5-1.
One player who has impressed recently in both boxes is Christopher Jullien. The giant centre-half netted the winner against Lazio and went close a couple of times against St Mirren in midweek.
The Frenchman is 25-1 with McBookie to score first and 6-1 anytime.
I expect tomorrow’s tie will go a similar away even if the Jambos gave Gers a hard time in a recent 1-1 draw at Tynecastle.
Since then they haven’t scored in a draw at Livingston and defeat to St Johnstone and I fear for them at Hampden as Austin MacPhee takes over as caretaker after Craig Levein was axed.
Rangers are desperate to land a trophy and will take confidence from the way they blew away Ross County in midweek.
Alfredo Morelos hit a double and is likely to start ahead of Jermain Defoe. The Colombian is 14-5 at McBookie to net first.
Again I like the look of Rangers -1 at evens while Gers -2 could come in at 5-2 with William Hill.
There are three Premiership games and all look tight but best bets could be Motherwell at evens with McBookie at home to Livingston.
In the Championship game of the day is leaders Dundee United at Inverness. United continue to be perfect at home but have lost three in a row away without scoring.
An Inverness win to nil pays 15-4 at Unibet but they’ve only beat United once in eight in the Highlands so this could be best left alone.
Partick Thistle boss Ian McCall returns to Ayr a few weeks after quitting the club and while the Jags remain bottom they’re a threat on the road. Best bet here is both to score at 5-6 with bet365.
Peterhead have now lost four in a row in League One and face a fifth when leaders Raith visit. The away pays 5-6 at William Hill.
Clyde won at Falkirk last week and should follow up by taking three points at Stranraer. They are 10-11 at Marathonbet.
In League Two back second-placed Edinburgh City at 9-10 with William Hill at basement boys Brechin.
Recommended Bets
- Celtic/Rangers (3-4, McBookie)
- Celtic -1/Rangers -1 (5-2, William Hill)
- Jullien to score first (25-1, McBookie)
- Morelos to score first (14-5, McBookie)
- Motherwell (Evens, McBookie)
- Ayr v Partick Th btts (5-6, bet365)
- Raith (5-6, William Hill)
- Clyde (10-11, Marathonbet)
- Edinburgh City (9-10, William Hill)
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