SUNDAY'S OLD Firm clash looks set to break Scottish football betting records according to Ladbrokes.
The bookies forecast more than £10 million will ride on the outcome of the League Cup semi-final across the industry – with more than £5m bet by Scots in the run-up to kick off – eclipsing the 2010-11 League Cup Final which stands as the biggest betting match in domestic Scottish football to date.
Celtic head into the match as 4-11 favourites with Ladbrokes to settle the tie in 90 minutes, with Rangers 7-1 to take the spoils in normal time, with those long odds not enough to put off one Glasgow-based punter who has £10k riding on the outsiders.
Those who think the tie will go to extra time at least can take 19-5 it's a draw while it's also just 8-1 both sides have a man sent off.
Bets are also now also being placed on when the sides will next meet in the top tier of Scottish football with next season the odds-on favourite at 10-11.
Alex Donohue of Ladbrokes said: “The highly-anticipated return of the Old Firm means Scottish football betting records will be smashed on Sunday. While the market points towards a Celtic win at this stage, when it comes to it being classic cup tie all bets are off.”
Scottish bookmakers McBookie.com also expect millions to punted on what they describe as Scottish football's biggest match for nearly three years.
Paul Petrie, McBookie.com spokesman, said: “There is no doubt the Celtic v Rangers games are the biggest in Scotland and from a turnover perspective we are delighted it is back. The only downside is the game looks so one-sided we fear a massive Celtic win will cost us a fortune.”
Celtic have already been backed from 2-5 to 4-11 to win in 90 minutes with McBookie while punters have also backed taken to win giving Rangers, one, two and even three goals of a start. So far the most popular correct score is a 4-0 win for Celtic at 16-1.
Petrie added: “Not too many people are giving Rangers much chance and if the betting is to be believed it will be an easy win for Celtic.”
In the other semi-final Aberdeen are the slight 8-11 favourites to qualify. Dundee United can be backed at 1-1. Outright 8-11, Celtic 4-1 Aberdeen, Dundee Utd, 7-1 Rangers.
My tips for the game will be put up on Saturday night.
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Mr f will this match be close, I don’t know much about the rangers squad
Cooldude, it shouldn’t be close but the atmosphere will be crazy and it could well turn into a battle. Celtic will need to match Rangers’ fight and then their quality should tell. Rangers will have to park the bus because if not they’ll be caught out. But it’s the Old Firm – and if you look back anything can happen. I know plenty of Rangers fans quite happy to back their side at up to 15-2.
Celtic -1 all day, come on you bhoys in green!
Cooldude this match will not be close. Celtic by a street. Take a morgage out and put it on celtic. Rangers all over the place in the boardroom and on the park. Celtic -2 2-1.
Is this game still a proper game, in effect it is like Chelsea versus millwall. two rivals one who is in a league below in complete disarray against a team who walk the SPL every season, without even trying. Maybe its a scots thing and shows the state of Scottish footy, but the old firm doesn’t float anyone’s boat these days!
tip
celtic -1 beat rangers
dave, your comment tells me you know nothing about Scottish football. I don’t support either side but the build-up’s been crazy and whatever fans say this fixture has been missed by the clubs and Scottish football – and bookies going by their comments. I just hope it goes off peacefully and while Celtic supporters don’t actually recognise the term Old Firm any more they’ll be desperate to win this one.
Celtic -1, safe as houses!
Gianni I think so, this aint the derby it used to be
I think celtic will win 3-1
I think it is Dave whether you think Sevco are the same club or not. It’s the west of Scotland, nothing’s really changed.
A easy rangers victory. Big jim belfast
apologies mr f u r rite I don’t follow Scottish footy, but I know the game up there is in a mess, and celtic v rangers isn’t wat it used to b. 3 big sides r out the top division (which only as 12 sides in em) the crowds are low and I expect this to be one of the highest gates Scottish footy as seen in quite a while. Like I say it is like Chelsea – millwall in England. celtic win easy rangers cant get even close to hearts in their league. for me this is celtic -1
I don’t think it’s been missed Mr F, Scottish football is in as good a shape as it’s been for 20 years. Nearly the whole of the Premiership are debt free, or have very little debt. Most clubs are going down the route of developing their own players, and this can only be good for the national side.
The only people who miss the “Old Firm” games, are a minority of Celtic & Rangers fans, and the Scottish press, who think Scottish football is all about Celtic & Rangers.
I can see Celtic winning this by a few goals, and I hope I’m wrong but I think the nation will be shamed on Sunday, by the actions seen off the park. A repeat of what happened in Manchester could be on the cards in Rangers lose heavily.
On another note, where’s the countdown and preview on the real game of the weekend in Scotland? The Dundee Utd v Aberdeen game!!
Well said Al, there are 4 teams in the semi finals though you wouldn’t think so going by the west coast media coverage.
Well said Tom, and you can bet that all they’ll talk about on Off the ball & sportsound, in the build up to today’s games is the Celtic v Rangers game tomorrow!
Being shown in 54 countries generates cash all round.Just hope everyone behaves.
Rangers Double Chance…..12/5
For a derby that price is huge.
To get 5/6 on Rangers +2 on the handicap is extremely tempting. Derbies are well contested and anyone backing Celtic at -1 at a similar price is a braver man than me.
Craigyboy, derbies are only well contested when the teams are similarly matched.
Great contribution there nclsn!
Anyways onto the game, as a Rangers fan my heart says us and my head says Celtic, pains me to say that but we are all over the place, I personally dont think our off field antics will effect the players in such a match. We do have some players that cant hurt Celtic – Wallace, Templeton, Boyd, Miller….yes they havent shown that this season but I hope as such an important and hyped game they will give a performance we know they are capable of. We need to stand up and be counted. Celtic strikers have hit a purple patch and Guidetti (tipped to be the next Larrson) has not scored since start of Nov. Like I said Celtic are favorites but the bookies have not only written us off but they have gave away so crazy prices like almost evs for -2 Rangers, it would be crazy for me not to take prices like that in a 1 off game.
Anyways hope its a great match and theres no trouble atall, hope yous enjoy the game.
Sorry I ment almost evs for Rangers +2 lol
Thought this forum was for tips only lets keep the politics out ! It looks to me as if a few people will be mortgage free on Monday tho ! Brave words into a laptop !
Im a Celtic fan and tbh im not looking forward to this match i think its a lose,lose for celtic.Celtic win everyone will say sure expected no less so all the pressure is on celtic and so far this season the big pressure matches celtic have failed going out of champions league twice.I never bet on a celtic game but 7/1 for rangers is a massive price if bradford can beat chelsea then surely rangers will be in with a shout.Hope on field matters is only reason we remember this match
Stevie H – No to the same club because it’s a different entity but I agree that this should all be about betting.
I ask all rangers fans have they got any better since they played hibs at xmas!!! If they havent then celtic will murder you. If they have then they have a wee chance.
Alex, Rangers have hardly played since then – 24 minutes in the last 3 weeks I think it is.
Gianni so u could care less who wins then
The taxman, this isn’t a Celtic or Rangers fans’ forum so save your inflammatory comments for other sites. Emotions will run high this weekend but admin have asked me to point out that anyone putting up unacceptable comments relating to Celtic or Rangers will be banned. Put up tips not snides.
Didnt they beat alloa 1-0 at home after the hibs game or was it dumbarton. Anyway that day against hibs was the most spineless rangers team i av ever watched. And what am sayin is play like that against the prem champions and anther tanking is on the cards.
i think it really depends on what celtic team turn up, and lets not forget look what happened to chelsea and man city last week but i,m a celtic fan and i want a celtic victory no matter what. c,mon the hoops
Gianni, I’ve had to ban you temporarily – and will do so for anyone else who tries to kick it off re Celtic and Rangers. Just let’s have tips – keep the bile for sites that encourage that.
Paddy Power offering a red card for both teams @ 14/1. Pretty big considered Ladbrokes enhanced match special for the same bet is 8/1.
Noticed Skybet are 9/4 for rangers last team to score.
Would expect Celtic to score first but will rangers score?
Any opinions welcome.
Good luck to all.
Personally wouldn’t touch it hutch but up to yourself.
Celtic-1 at 5/6 is STEALING money
(chris guy) am one to follow your tips on the outsiders on FGS what are the prices for a van dyke FG ??? any outsider fgs tips for the game they would be a good shout
Van Dijk is 16/1. I’m going to be on Denayer first and last at 25/1 with William Hill and Paddy Power.
Celtic race to 7 corners 21/20 and Celtic to win both halves 17/10 GL with whatever you bet.
I’ve gone for a rangers win at 7.50 being a neutral I think that price is too big to ignore. No value in Celtic even at -1 and who knows what will happen on the day, if Scott Brown goes off it could be a whole different game.
Jamie, I can’t see it to be honest but as you say you’d never have got 15-2 Rangers in the past. Off out to watch second half of Chelsea-Man City and hoping it stays a draw.
Certainly not Mr F!
don’t think it’s been missed Mr F, Scottish football is in as good a shape as it’s been for 20 years. Nearly the whole of the Premiership are debt free, or have very little debt. Most clubs are going down the route of developing their own players, and this can only be good for the national side.
The only people who miss the “Old Firm” games, are a minority of Celtic & Rangers fans, and the Scottish press, who think Scottish football is all about Celtic & Rangers.
I can see Celtic winning this by a few goals, and I hope I’m wrong but I think the nation will be shamed on Sunday, by the actions seen off the park. A repeat of what happened in Manchester could be on the cards in Rangers lose heavily.