IT’S the biggest Scottish Cup semi-final weekend in recent memory as the two tribes from Edinburgh and Glasgow prepare to do battle once more at Hampden.
Hibs and Rangers are out for revenge against Hearts and Celtic, having suffered damaging derby defeats in the last two rounds of Premiership fixtures.
But the bookies reckon we’ll see more of the same with the Jambos hot favourites to inflict more pain on their rivals and the Hoops also odds-on to see off Gers.
Robbie Neilson’s men eased to a 3-1 win over the Hibees at Tynecastle last weekend and that made it seven unbeaten with five of those matches ending in wins.
Yet during the same run of games Hibs have managed just one victory – and that came after Motherwell had Bevis Mugabe sent off inside two minutes of their Scottish Cup quarter-final.
So it’s no great surprise to see Hearts at just 4/7 with McBookie to reach the final, although the odds are kinder for a win inside 90 minutes at 11/10.
Hibs are 11/8 to qualify and the price increases to 12/5 for them to do it without extra-time or penalties. Two of the three derbies this season have ended in draws so a few punters will fancy the 90-minute stalemate which pays 12/5 at McBookie.
I cashed in by backing BTTS and over 2.5 goals in last week’s Edinburgh derby as it was a game Maloney’s side had to win.
But semi-finals are often cagey and that’s why under 2.5 goals is just a best 7/10 with Bet365 for today’s clash.
That’s not great value but the half-time draw is better at 11/10 with the same firm.
The card markets are always worth exploring in a derby although backing Joe Newell to be carded failed to pay off last week as he wasn’t one of the four players to fall foul of the ref.
I’m hoping I’m on safer ground this week by backing Ryan Porteous to pick up a card on his return from suspension.
The Easter Road stopper has collected seven yellows and two reds this season and is 6/5 with Bet365 for another card.
Rangers head into the other semi-final buoyed by a midweek win over Braga that took them into the Europa League semis.
But that victory will have taken a toll, both emotionally and physically, in a draining game that went to extra time.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men now face a Celtic side who have beaten them in the last two derbies to open up a six-point lead in the league with just five games to play.
The Hoops have had a full week to prepare for their second derby inside a fortnight and that’s why McBookie make them 4/7 hot favourites to reach the final and 11/10 to finish the job inside 90 minutes.
Gers are 11/8 and 5/2 respectively in the same markets while the draw at 90 minutes also pays 5/2.
There has been a one-goal winning margin in two of the three meetings this season so that’s a good option at 13/10 with McBookie.
Five yellows were dished out at Ibrox a fortnight ago and it could be another busy day for the referee.
Bet365 have a market on tackles and I like the 4/5 on offer for Carl Starfelt to make over 1.5 tackles at Hampden.
John Lundstram also appeals for a card at 11/4 with the same firm.
Super Singles
- Hearts win in 90 mins (11/10, McBookie)
- Porteous carded (6/5, Bet365)
- Starfelt over 1.5 tackles (4/5, Bet365)
- Lundstram carded (11/4, Bet365)
I'm a sports journalist, football tipster and author from Dundee, who is now working in Glasgow. I've covered games at every level, from Junior football to internationals, and still love football even though it has clearly sold its soul. I've been in football tipping since 2018 with the MFT site.
