CELTIC are odds on to clean up in Scotland this season but face possibly their hardest hurdle on Sunday.
A trip to Tannadice is as tough as it gets with the Arabs on a fantastic and exciting run. They have won five out of six, kept five clean sheets in that spell and netted 16 goals – including four v Hearts and five at St Johnstone.
Celtic, whose run of 20 wins on the bounce was ended at Aberdeen, will expect a tough test but have beaten the Arabs in their last six including three times this season.
So United, who knocked Rangers out at Ibrox, will have to step up and if they do they can claim at least a draw – and a replay.
Celtic are no bigger than 8-11 at BetVictor and bet365 while United are 5-1 at Paddy Power.
It’s difficult to back against a team that hasn’t lost for so long but United are so big there is value on the double chance (not to lose) at 11-8 at Stan James.
United draw no bet pays 11-4 at William Hill and there should be goals with the home men boasting an on-form attacking trio of Jon Daly, Johnny Russell and Gary Mackay-Steven.
It’s also worth pointing out centre-half Gavin Gunning, who headed the opener in the last round at Ibrox, is 22-1 at bet365 to score at any time.
Celtic, with hitmen Gary Hooper and Anthony Stokes fighting for the honour of being the club’s leading marksman, should ensure the match goes over 2.5 goals which pays 10-11 at bet365 while both teams to score is 5-6 (Stan James).
Looking at the other three ties and you’ve got to fancy Motherwell at 21-20 with BetVictor to see off Aberdeen even if the visitors are on an unbeaten 12-game run.
Craig Brown’s side did well to hold Celtic last week but lack goals and could struggle against a side that’s slammed in seven in two home outings against Hibs and Hearts.
Well have won the last four meetings by exactly one goal and a repeat is 3-1 at William Hill.
Henrik Ojamaa returned to scoring form at Dunfermline last week and is 13-2 at bet365 to break the deadlock.
Recommendations
Both teams to score Dundee Utd v Celtic
(5-6, Stan James)
Ojamaa to score
(13-8, bet365)
Motherwell
(21-20, BetVictor)
Paul are you aware that William hill have started a new bet which is available for every game. It’s for a player to score the first goal in first 10 mins. This was usually only available for certain games as a match special but I just spoke to the hills manager today who told me that although they don’t have a coupon yet they have a chart on their computer so it doesn’t matter what team is playing, it’s based purely on first goalscorer prices. I know it’s a bit of a tall order but some of the prices are pretty decent if you fancy putting a couple of quid on them. Here is an example of some players with the price then the price to score within 10 mins. Messi 2/1 (10/1), hooper 7/2 (18/1), stokes 9/2 (22/1), samaras 5/1 (25/1), Ledley 10/1 (45/1), Scott brown 12/1 (50/1), Charlie mulgrew 16/1 (66/1). I’ve stuck a wee fiver on mulgrew for free kicks and brown for penalty
Chris, I knew about the market because I get a lot of info sent to me by Hills. For me it’s a speculative bet and one in most instances to play for fun. Sometimes it’s tough enough to pick first scorer never mind get him to do it in first 10 minutes. The real price should be nine times the first scorer price anyway.
new market looks quite good as a cheeky wee double any 2 pays well over 100/1, couble be the way forward on a lucky 15 31 or 63 for the multiple odds for 1 winner.
Karen, you’re spot on. A 10p lucky 31 is about the most I’d risk on it unless there was a specific team on a run of scoring early goals.
Messi for Barcelona has got to be worth a shout at 10/1
Paul I have £100 on ht draw ft Celtic at 9/2 with hills and £20 on 2-0 Celtic at 8/1 also with hills
Chris, 9-2 was a good price. I thought it would be close bu sending-off killed Dundee United.
William hill dangled a carrot with 9/2