FALKIRK will be out to avenge their painful 2015 Scottish Cup Final loss to Inverness Caledonian Thistle when the teams return to Hampden in this season's semi-finals.
The Bairns blew a golden chance to lift the trophy for the first time since 1957 when they lost 2-1 to the Highlanders that day, with James Vincent netting the winner after Inverness had been reduced to 10 men.
Both teams have fallen on hard times since then, with Caley Thistle crashing out of the top flight and the Bairns dropping down from the second tier to League One.
But they have a chance to end this season in style, with both on track for a play-off place in their respective leagues and the winner of this tie landing a place in the Scottish Cup Final against one half of the Old Firm.
Inverness were my tip for the Championship title after losing in the play-off final last term but a mid-season slump saw them win just once in 10 games to fall way off the pace.
Much of that was down to horrendous injuries, however, and with their main men back Caley Thistle have won eight of their last 10 games to hit form at the ideal time.
Falkirk were flying when they beat Championship side Ayr United in the quarter-finals on a night when a full house of bets came up for me. But the looming Hampden date has affected their form, with John McGlynn's side winning just two of their last eight games.
They have only lost twice during that run though and the Bairns will be hoping an epic Cup win over Inverness can provide the momentum for a successful play-off push.
How the bookies view it
Given the impressive form of Inverness, it's no great surprise to see Caley Thistle as 1/2 favourites at Ladbrokes to reach the final, although the odds increase to a tempting evens at Coral if you back them to finish the job in 90 minutes. Betting on the Bairns to win in normal time pays 29/10 at Betfair and they are 13/8 with BetVictor to qualify. The draw at 90 minutes pays 13/5 with Bet365.
Recent head to head
These sides have faced off 10 times since that Scottish Cup Final and Inverness just have the edge with four wins. Falkirk won three of those matches with the other games drawn, including stalemates in the last two meetings.
Players to watch
Callumn Morrison did me a turn by scoring for Falkirk in the quarter-final and the former Hearts kid has netted 15 times this term. He takes their penalties and is 15/4 with William Hill for anytime scorer.
Nathan Shaw has been in fine form for Inverness in the build-up to the semi-final, netting four times in his last seven outings. The 22-year-old is 21/10 at William Hill for another goal which looks decent value.
Anything else catch the eye?
Semi-finals can often be an anti-climax with so much at stake but BTTS has landed in the last five for Falkirk and the last three for Inverness Caledonian Thistle. That suggests we could see a few goals, with BTTS 4/5 at Bet365 and over 2.5 goals a little better at 10/11 with William Hill.
Even though these sides are in different divisions, there's no a great gulf in the class between their starting XIs. I've a feeling this could be close and McBookie price a one-goal winning margin for either side at 13/10. The half-time draw also stands a chance and that's 6/5 with Bet365.
Falkirk's quarter-final with Ayr produced 18 corners so it could pay to dabble in that market here, with over 10.5 corners priced 10/11 with Bet365. Cards are another good option, with Falkirk stopper Coll Donaldson 2/1 with McBookie for a 10th card this term.
This Scottish Cup match between Falkirk and Inverness Caledonian Thistle will be played on Apr 29, 2023 and kick off at 12:15. Check below for our tipsters best Falkirk vs Inverness Caledonian Thistle prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
