Tie of the round in the Scottish Cup is at Ibrox on Sunday and KevMac predicts another fiesty encounter that could keep referee Bobby Madden busy as the Glasgow giants battle for a place in the quarter-final.
Rangers v Celtic
The Scottish Cup is the only thing that has provided any comfort for Celtic during a nightmare season.
The Hoops pipped Hearts in a thriller back in December as they won last term’s delayed final to seal a quadruple Treble.
But that feat was soon forgotten as Rangers beat them at Ibrox a fortnight later to all but seal the league crown and kill the dream of 10 in a row.
Now Celts head across the city again in the Scottish Cup looking to salvage something from a horrendous campaign.
It’s no great surprise to see McBookie make Rangers 3/4 favourites to go through and Celtic 21/20 outsiders given Steven Gerrard’s men are unbeaten in the last four derbies.
They have also lost just one domestic game all season – to St Mirren in the League Cup – and are 13/8 to complete a dream Double.
But the Hoops have been the better side in the last two meetings and would have won the last league clash at Parkhead had their failure to defend set-pieces not come back to haunt them again.
They have conceded from a corner or free-kick in the last four derbies so it could pay to back a header to be scored tomorrow. No firms were offering that bet when we went to press but William Hill told me prices would be released.
Alfredo Morelos finally broke his Old Firm duck with the leveller at Celtic Park last time out and is 19/10 with Unibet to grab a goal tomorrow.
That’s decent value but I’m more drawn to the 9/2 on offer at the same firm for Mohamed Elyounoussi to net.
The Norwegian scored for the Hoops in that derby and has been in fine form, with three goals in his last two games.
The card markets are always worth dipping into on derby day but serial offenders Morelos and Scott Brown are too short for me at evens with McBookie.
I’m more drawn to the 4/1 they offer for Ibrox veteran Steven Davis to be carded while Celtic kid Stephen Welsh also looks decent value at 3/1.
Aberdeen v Livingston
The pick of today’s last-16 ties is Aberdeen v Livingston but I’d be surprised if it was a thriller.
Stephen Glass takes charge of the Dons for the first time and is 13/10 at Paddy Power to celebrate a win in 90 minutes.
That looks pretty good value given Livi were thrashed 6-0 at Parkhead last weekend.
The last eight Aberdeen games have seen one goal or fewer so that’s why under 2.5 goals is just 8/13 for this one (McBookie).
But the odds are a bit better if you bet against BTTS at 7/8 with SBK.
Other Scottish Cup Ties
The other two ties today are David v Goliath clashes as Montrose head to Killie and Clyde face St Johnstone in Perth.
I’d be surprised if we saw any shocks and Kilmarnock look good value for a win to nil at 13/10 with McBookie.
Doubling it with a Saints victory and clean sheet boosts the odds to 272/100.
Hibs head to Stranraer tomorrow and should be too strong for the Blues. Doubling a Hibees victory with a goal for Christian Doidge pays 110/100 in a McBookie bet builder.
Alloa v Raith Rovers
ALLOA are running out of time in their bid for a great escape and could be relegated from the Championship this weekend.
Eight points adrift with three games to play, it’s going to take a miracle for the Wasps to stay up.
But they should go down all guns blazing against a Raith side looking to seal a play-off slot. BTTS is 14/19 with Red Zone and over 2.5 goals just 4/6 at McBookie. However, the odds are better for over 1.5 first-half goals (13/10, McBookie).
Dunfermline v Queen of the South
Dunfermline host Queen of the South in the play-off fight. It could be cagey so I’m betting against BTTS at 11/10 with BetVictor who price under 2.5 goals at 5/6.
Leagues One & Two
League One leaders Falkirk head to Cove and I’m going for over 2.5 goals at 6/5 with McBookie.
It’s first v second in League Two as Edinburgh City host Queen’s Park and the Spiders appeal at 17/10 (McBookie) to be winning at half-time and full-time.
Super Singles
- S Davis carded (4/1, McBookie)
- Aberdeen win in 90 minutes (13/10, Paddy Power)
- Over 1.5 first-half goals at Alloa (13/10, McBookie)
- Queen's Park HT/FT (17/10, McBookie)
Deadly Double
- Kilmarnock and St Johnstone win to nil (272/100, McBookie)
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.
Christie/Kent to score and Morelos/Broon carded.85/1.Hills.