IT’S been an epic season in Scottish football already this season and remarkably at this stage of the campaign both Celtic are Rangers are chasing a Treble.
For Celtic a win over their great rivals today could put them on track for a domestic clean sweep, which would make for a remarkable five Trebles in six seasons. Ange Postecoglou already has the League Cup in the bag and is sitting pretty in the Premiership so today’s match takes on extra significance as he aims to emulate Brendan Rodgers’ debut treble-winning season.
For Rangers it could be the first leg of an incredible trio of silverware which could include European success in the Europa League. Of course they’re up against it in the league, six points behind the Hoops with five to play, including a trip to Celtic Park, but a Hampden win could give the Gers the belief they can also turn the tide in the title race.
So the scene is set for another blockbuster at Hampden this afternoon.
They say familiarity breeds contempt and this will be the second of three meetings in the space of a month so there could be some ongoing fueds bubbling under going in to this one. But referee Bobby Madden is a man that tries to keep a lid on things. Considered one of Scotland’s top whistlers Madden has a very low card count of just three cards per game in the Premiership this season.
Both sides also have the lowest number of cards in the league and whilst this match often operates in a world of it’s own it’s fair to say that neither manager are of the firebreathing kind in the same way predecessors Steven Gerrard and Neil Lennon were. Pantomime villains Scott Brown and Alfredo Morelos (injured) can’t be relied on for a card either so there’s a strong case for a low number of cards, especially in the first half.
No first half cards pays 9/2 at Bet365 and that looks well worth a punt, as does Under 2 cards in the first 45 at 11/10.
In terms of the result, Celtic have been nibbled at all week and could go off odds on. They’re even money at the time of writing and that’s probably a reaction to Rangers’ exertions on Thursday night when they needed extra-time to get the better of 9-man Braga.
Will the euphoria of reaching the Europa League semi-final overcome the weary-leggedness? You pays your money you takes your choice but Gers fans won’t be shy of backing their side at 23/10.
Celtic edged the last meeting at Ibrox and the longer this one goes the more likely it seems they’ll prevail. An extra-time victory for Celtic pays 10/1.
Chelsea have been a tough team for punters to follow in recent weeks. Defeats to Brentford then Real Madrid put them on a downward spiral only for them to bounce back with a 6-0 thumping of Southampton before enduring glorious failure at the Bernabeu in midweek.
Today they must pick themselves up for an FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace. The bookies have the Blues as 4/7 favourites but the Eagles could be dangerous opponents.
Patrick Viera has them well drilled and they’ve scored some eye-catching wins this season including a 2-1 victory at the Etihad and a recent 3-0 win over Arsenal. On their day, and if Chelsea aren’t on it, Palace could spring a surprise, however Conor Gallagher and Michael Olise could be big misses for them.
Viera’s men are 5/1 to win inside 90 minutes and they could be out to frustrate Thomas Tuchel’s side. Backing Palace on the half-time Asian Handicap at 0.0/+0.5 pays 2.125 at Bet365.
In Spain Real Madrid can inflict Sevilla’s first home defeat of the season in La Liga. The Spanish giants enjoy a 12-point lead at the top of the table but won’t want to give Barcelona, who have a game in hand, any encouragement. The reigning champs look worth a punt at 29/20 at a ground where they’ve won on their last two visits.
In Germany RB Leipzig have some momentum going in the Bundesliga. Their only defeat this calendar year has been away to champions Bayern Munich. That aside their record has been very impressive; W11 D2 L1, and they can overtake Bayer Leverkusen with a win at BayArena today at 13/10.
Super Singles
- Celtic v Rangers – No 1st half cards 9/2 Bet365
- Crystal Palace on Half-time Asian Handicap at 0.0/+0.5 2.125 Bet365
- RB Leipzig 13/10 Bet365
- Real Madrid 29/20 Bet365
Upcoming Match Previews & Tips
- SlipsTips Tips: Celtic vs Rangers Bet Builder
- Scottish Cup Tips: More Heart-break for Hibees at Hampden
- Sun 14:00 Celtic v Rangers
- Sun 14:15 West Ham United v Burnley
- Sun 14:15 Newcastle United v Leicester City
- Sun 16:30 Chelsea v Crystal Palace
- Sun 18:30 Bayer Leverkusen v RB Leipzig
- Sun 19:45 PSG v Marseille
- Sun 20:00 Sevilla v Real Madrid
- Sun 20:30 Sporting CP v Benfica
- Sun 21:00 Los Angeles FC v Sporting Kansas
- Mon 12:30 Middlesbrough v Huddersfield Town
- Mon 20:00 Nottingham Forest v West Bromwich Albion
Racing Tips
Rizzel had a 3/1 winner on Saturday. He attempts to keep the good form rolling with his 13/2 selection for Sunday.
As always, let us know your tips and predictions for today in the comments section below and good luck with all your bets!
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