IF the Beast from the East is slayed we should see Celtic and Rangers edging closer to a potentially explosive Scottish Cup Final showdown.
Both sides face Championship opposition at home and it's difficult to see Falkirk or Morton getting any joy from Ibrox and Parkhead.
The double pays just 3-10 at Marathonbet but both are well capable of winning by two or more which returns evens at Betway and that will be a popular double.
Celtic are first up at Saturday lunchtime and with Europe out the way and a treble to complete I don't see Brendan Rodgers making too many changes from the side that beat Dundee on Tuesday.
The Hoops are no bigger than 1-16 at William Hill so -1 is still a tad short at 2-9 with Betway.
Jim Duffy's Morton are in good form in the Championship with five wins out of six so shouldn't roll over.
If you fancy them to net they are 6-4 at 188Bet while ever-dangerous skipper Thomas O'Ware is 10-1 to score at any time.
Moussa Dembele is first-scorer favourite at just 9-4 with McBookie so for some value consider James Forrest at 17-4.
Rangers have been in scintillating form winning their last five and scoring 19 goals – although all but two of them come on the road where Graeme Murty's men have beem more impressive.
The January captures of players such as Sean Goss, Jason Cummings, Jamie Murphy and Greg Docherty have given Rangers a massive boost and if they're at their best they could blow away Paul Hartley's side.
Rangers are better value than Celtic at 2-9 with Sky Bet which makes Gers -1 tempt at 13-20 with Betway.
The Bairns are in decent shape with three wins in four but lack quality up front and have netted just in two against bottom pair Dumbarton and Brechin.
Hartley's hitman may find it difficult to find the target so back Rangers to win to nil at 31-40 with McBookie.
I tipped Tavernier to net at St Johnstone and as penalty taker he's always value. He is 4-1 with McBookie to score first and 13-1 to break the deadlock.
Falkirk will also have to look out for Josh Windass, 10 goals in seven games, and he is 15-4 to hit the opener.
Top scorer Alfredo Morelos is 13-5 favourites and odds in at 3-4 to hit the target at any time.
Saturday's other quarter-final sees Aberdeen entertain Killie. Last week the Dons meekly went down to a 10th defeat in a row against Celtic – today they aim to leave the Rugby Park men looking for their first win in 10 at Pittodrie.
Steve Clarke's men have taken care of all-comers except Aberdeen who have handed them two defeats.
So for Killie this was the worst possible draw and the Dons are 7-9 at 188Bet to maintain the jinx. A third 3-1 win against Clarke's troops pays 14-1 at McBookie and William Hill.
Killie got out of jail at Tynecastle on Tuesday thanks to Kyle Lafferty's penalty. Aberdeen and btts is possible at 16-5 with William Hill but Clarke could be without frontmen Eamonn Brophy and Kris Boyd.
On Sunday Motherwell take on Hearts in a tie that's not easy to call and could go to a replay.
It was 1-1 when the side met at Tynecastle in January and another pays 11-2 at William Hill.
Both sides are low scorers and under 2.5 match goals has a chance at 7-10 with Marathonbet.
Recommended Bets
- Rangers -1/Celtic -1
- Forrest to score first
- Windass to score
- Aberdeen
- Motherwell v Hearts under 2.5 goals
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
