St Mirren v Hearts, Hampden, Sunday 3pm
IT'S a huge day for St Mirren and Hearts as they battle it out at Hampden to win the League Cup.
We always knew the demise of Rangers would mean more final appearances for the smaller clubs – but this is a match-up that was totally unexpected.
So it's a great opportunity for both clubs with Saints trying to lift the silverware for the first time and Hearts attempting to make it back-to-back cups.
Unfortunately for punters it looks a showdown that could go either way. However, I've been convinced to back St Mirren with them available at a biggest 21-10 with William Hill to win in 90 minutes. At that price you can factor in a possible draw and back them on the outrights at 11-8 with Coral.
Hearts are a best 8-11 at sportingbet to lift the Cup and 6-4 at William Hill and others to win in normal time.
This season Saints have had the better of the meetings with two 2-0 wins – the most recent in Paisley three weeks ago – and a 1-0 loss at Tynecastle.
With the likes of Gary Teale, Steven Thompson and Esmael Goncalves giving them more of a cutting edge there should be no favourite but you can't deny the battling qualities of the Jambos under difficult circumstances.
Saints will take great confidence from the way they beat Celtic 3-2 in the semi-final at Hampden and a repeat of that display should land them silverware.
To win in extra time it's 12-1 Saints, 10-1 Hearts at Hills who offer both at 10-1 to win on penalties. McBookie.com rate both sides at 14-1 to win on penalties.
Goncalves has netted in every cup match he has played since signing for the Buddies and is
7-2 at bet365 to net again.
Michael Ngoo hit the Hearts goal that took their semi-final against Inverness to spot-kicks and is 13-5 with bet365 to score. Ex-Buddies striker John Sutton is favourite to net at 9-4 with bet365.
For first goal all three could be beaten by the experienced Thompson who should relish the big stage and is 7-1 with William Hill to break the deadlock. The last six meetings between the sides have totalled 18 goals, according to oddschecker, and over 2.5 goals pays 13-10 at Coral.
Saints skipper Jim Goodwin is 8-1 favourite with McBookie for first card in what's an interesting market.
Tough-tackling Ryan Stevenson is 9-1 ahead of team-mate Darren Barr at 10-1 while Saints stopped Marc McAusland is also 10-1.
I might have a little dabble on no-nonsense striker Thompson at 16-1. He is a Buddies fans and may be a little bit excitable at the start of the match.
Booking prices (McBookie.com): 12-1 David Van Zanten, Paul Dummett, 14-1 Andy Webster, David Barron, Graham Carey, 16-1 Lewis Guy, Brad Mckay, Conor Newton, Danny Wilson, Dylan McGowan, John Robertson, Kevin McHattie, Mehdi Taouil, Sam Parkin, 18-1 Callum Tapping, Sutton.
Recommendations
St Mirren
(21-10, William Hill)
Thompson first booking
(1pt 16-1, McBookie.com)
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.
In December 2020 we sadly 
ive had an awful day of betting today roll on sunday
Time of first booking under 34 mins @ 5/6 with Bet365 looks a steal.
could not agree more. st mirren have something about them in a game like this and too many players have left hearts n apart from the liverpool loanee there weak . this has st mirrens cup all da y long
im gonna be abit more safer n do st mirren to lift the cup at 6/5
I met Marc Mcausland in Paisley on Friday at the bookmakers my better half manages and he said the team is buzzing for this and get on him too score in a Saints victory. I fancy Saints but I think he was getting carried away with him scoring lol
Macausland could score at either end he’s hopeless!
StMirren Team – Samson, van Zanten, McAusland, Goodwin, Dummett, McGinn, Newton, Teale, McGowan, Thompson, Goncalves.
Hearts Team – Macdonald, McGowan, Webster, Wilson, McHattie; Stevenson, Barr, Taouil, Walker, Sutton, Ngoo
blackpool to go down