MR FIXIT’S SCOTTISH CUP FINAL TIPS

Hibs v Celtic, Hampden, 3pm, live SS3 and BBC1 Scotland

IT was nice to finally see a favourite win a cup final with Bayern getting the better of Dortmund.

That followed the likes of Wigan beating Man City in the FA Cup and Atletico Madrid seeing off Real Madrid to land Copa del Rey.

I was lucky enough to make 2-1 Bayern my Bonkers Bet and 3-1 Celtic would give me a nice double.

Celtic go into the final with Hibs in fine form after back-to-back 4-0 wins against St Johnstone and Dundee Utd.

Hibs have won three in a row but of course the successes came against sides in the bottom six – Killie, Dundee and Hearts.

There has been much talk about Celtic’s Hampden hoodoo but it’s Hibs who are haunted by stats going into the showpiece – having lost 10 Scottish Cup finals and looking to lift the famous trophy for the first time since 1902.

Hibs will be out to make amends for last season’s 5-1 defeat to Hearts but for me Celtic should complete the Double after a stroll to the title allowed boss Neil Lennon to rest key players towards the end of the campaign.

Pat Fenlon has denied Hibs are a one-man team but there’s no disputing Leigh Griffiths poses the biggest threat to Celtic after 28 goals this season and the Hoops should win if they can keep the on-loan Wolves man quiet. Griffiths is a slight injury concern but Hibs say he'll start.

Celtic have been punted all week and have been narrowed to a biggest 4-9 at Paddy Power to win in 90 minutes with Hibs 15-2 at BetVictor. To lift the Cup it’s Celtic (1-4, Coral) and Hibs (3-1, William Hill).

This season it’s honours even in the SPL with one win apiece and a draw but Celtic’s success was a resounding 3-0 last month and that’s a better indicator of the difference between the sides.

Gary Hooper leads the first-scorer list at 4-1 with William Hill and the Englishman can never be ruled out but both Kris Commons and Georgios Samaras netted at Tannadice last week and I have my eye on the Greek.

He’s often a big-game performer and is 7-2 with Hills and others to bag the opener. For an anytime scorer Joe Ledley looks a bit of value at 11-2 with Ladbrokes. Commons hit a double the last time these two met and is 6-1 with Ladbrokes to score first.

Hibs fans are bound to pile on Griffiths who is a biggest 17-2 at bet365 to break the deadlock and 11-4 with William Hill to net at anytime.

Both semi-finals were memorable occasions and featured seven goals as Hibs beat Falkirk 4-3 and Celtic edged out Dundee United by the same score.

William Hill offer 20-1 there will be exactly seven goals in the Final (including extra time).

Score and win is a popular bet these days and Hills go 9-4 on both to score in a Celtic triumph.

Celtic have kept a clean sheet in four of the last seven meetings. To keep a clean sheet is on offer at 1-1 with Skybet and Celtic to win with a clean sheet is available at 13-10 at Stan James.

It is of course 111 years since Hibs lifted the Cup and McBookie.com offer 11-1 Griffiths to score in a win for the Leith club.

McBookie have also priced up first booking prices and Hibs duo Gary Deegan and Kevin Thomson are 9-1 favourites.

Celtic skipper Scott Brown will have backers at 10-1 but you can have a price on anyone. The Scots firm make Hooper 5-1 favourite to win the man-of-the-match award with Commons 8-1 and Samaras 10-1.

Griffiths is 10-1 while young gun Alex Harris is 16s. It’s a tough market predict but Commons is one who can catch the eye and if Celtic win the ex-Scotland star has a chance.

Recommended Bets

Commons MoM
(8-1, McBookie.com)

Ledley to score
(11-2, Ladbrokes)

Celtic -1
(19-20, BetVictor)

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