CELTIC and Aberdeen battle it out in what could be a Saturday night cracker in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden.
The sides fought out arguably the best game of the season a couple of weeks ago at Parkhead in a top of the table clash where the Dons battled back from being two goals down to rescue a point.
Both sides were in midweek action and yet again Aberdeen stepped up to the plate with a win over Rangers that put them nine points clear of the struggling Ibrox side.
It was another huge marker for manager Jimmy Thelin who keeps coming up with answers.
Celtic cruised to a 2-0 win over Dundee that was far more dominant than the scoreline suggested after almost 80 per cent of possession and 12 shots on target.
They will certainly expect more of a test against the joint league leaders on Saturday night.
However, Aberdeen have consistently fallen short when it comes to meeting Celtic at Hampden – none more agonisingly so than a penalty shootout last season at the same stage of the Scottish Cup.
How the bookies view it: Celtic massive favourites
Despite Aberdeen's blistering start to the season, they have been well and truly written off here with Celtic as short as 1/5 in places. There is some 2/7 on offer with 10Bet.
Aberdeen are a massive 9/1 with bet365 and the draw is 5/1 with Paddy Power.
Recent head to heads: Dons gain confidence
Not many teams come back from two goals down at Parkhead, but Aberdeen managed that a couple of weeks ago in a 2-2 draw.
They also twice battled back at Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-final last season to force extra time and penalties before losing out.
However, their record at Hampden against Celtic recently is horrific. They haven't defeated Celtic at Hampden since 1992 and have lost the last eight meetings with them at the National Stadium.
Players to watch: Slovenian Solker to score?
Ester Solker netted at Parkhead the other week to start the fightback and also scored at Hampden last season in the semi-final. He is 4/1 to score anytime with Ladbrokes.
Japanese genius Reo Hatate netted against the Dons in Glasgow the other week and the talented midfielder is 21/10 to score with Paddy Power on Saturday.
Predicted line-ups:
Aberdeen will be without strikers Kevin Nisbet and Pape Gueye. Dante Polvara is close to a return.
Adam Idah will miss out with an ankle injury while Callum McGregor remains a doubt with a hip strain.
Aberdeen: Mitov, Devlin, Rubezic, Molloy, Mackenzie, Shinnie, Nilsen, Keskinen, McGrath, Duk, Sokler
Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Valle, Engels, Bernardo, Hatate, Kuhn, Kyogo, Maeda.
Anything else catch the eye?
Celtic could finally be the team who ends Jimmy Thelin's unbeaten run if they can convert their likely possession into goals at Hampden.
Aberdeen have shown they are a side who don't panic though if they have to give up the ball and the call here could be a Celtic win by one goal at 10/3 with bet365.
Celtic won the corner count 19-2 in the last game so keep a close eye on the markets when they come out. Similarly, Sivert Heltne Nilsen will be overworked in the engine room and he was carded against both Celtic and Rangers.
Aberdeen may have to push again if they go a goal down and that could lead to space at both ends. Back both teams to score in the second half at 9/4 with bet365.
This Scottish League Cup match between Aberdeen and Celtic will be played on Nov 2, 2024 and kick off at 17:30. Check below for our tipsters best Aberdeen vs Celtic prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
