MARCH 18: LEAGUE CUP FINAL

Celtic v Kilmarnock, Sunday, Hampden, 3pm, live on BBC1 Scotland

CELTIC should complete part one of their Treble at Hampden on Sunday.

With Rangers in all sorts of trouble Neil Lennon's men are odds-on for the clean sweep and no bigger than 1-5 at Stan James to lift the League Cup against Kilmarnock at Hampden.

They say anything can happen in one-off cup finals but if Celtic are in the mood there will be only one winner.

Killie have only won once in 52 meetings but will look back to the 3-3 at Rugby Park that almost cost Neil Lennon his job. But his team talk at half-time with his side trailing 3-0 saved his bacon as Celtic recovered to draw then go on a remarkable run of 20 domestic wins on the bounce.

Celtic are a best 4-11 at Ladbrokes to win in 90 minutes and I'd consider them at 19-20 with Stan James minus one.

It was 3-0 in a 2001 final between the sides with Henrik Larsson hitting a hat-trick. A Gary Hooper treble pays 12-1 with William Hill while a Stokes hat-trick is 20-1.

With two 20-goal hitmen Anthony Stokes and Gary Hooper in the line-up picking a first scorer is tough. Hooper is a biggest 11-4 at Ladbrokes and Skybet with Stokes 7-2 at BetVictor. Both to score pays 21-10 at Skybet.

It could be a day for the midfield to once again get involved in the scoring action. Joe Ledley and Scott Brown hit the target at Dundee United last weekend so could it be the turn to deadball expert Charlie Mulgrew. He is 16-1 (Betfred) to break the deadlock and 11-2 at William Hill to score.

Killie will point to that 3-3 draw as evidence they can compete with Celtic in a one-off game and their previous victory was against Rangers at Ibrox. However, they haven't won in four and that's a concern.

For anyone interested Kenny Shiels' men are 9-1 at William Hill to win in 90 minutes and 9-2 (Skybet) on the outrights.

Killie have lost five League Cup finals and only once by a single goal which makes the handicap price look decent.

Recommendations

Celtic -1

(19-20, Stan James)

Mulgrew to score

(11-2, William Hill)

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