Eight teams have their eye on the Scottish Cup with semi-final places at stake in this weekend's ties. KevMac picks his way though the four fixtures and provides his best tips for the weekend in Scotland.
Rangers v St Johnstone
MUCH has been made of Rangers’ quest for the Double but St Johnstone are also chasing their second piece of silverware this term as the sides clash at Ibrox tomorrow.
It’s the new Premiership champions against the Betfred Cup winners but only one of them will be dreaming of another trophy when the semi-final draw is made.
Gers are McBookie’s 2/13 favourites to reach the semis while they are 4/11 to get the job done inside 90 minutes.
These sides drew 1-1 in Perth in midweek in a dress rehearsal and another draw is 4/1 but Steven Gerrard’s men should come out on top.
Had Liam Craig not scored that last-gasp penalty on Wednesday it would have been a fourth successive win to nil for Gers against Saints.
That bet pays 21/20 with McBookie here and is worth a punt as Rangers have only conceded three domestic goals at home all season.
Betting against both teams to score could also pay off at a best 4/5 with Betfair.
Gerrard rested some big hitters in Perth but they should all return here. Alfredo Morelos is 23/20 for a goal at SkyBet and is always worth a punt at odds-against.
Hibernian v Motherwell
There’s only one quarter-final being played today but it should be a cracker as Hibs face Motherwell.
The Hibees have hit form and their only defeat in the last six games came at Ibrox. But Well have been flying too and a midweek derby win at Hamilton made it one defeat in eight.
The Steelmen’s last cup tie against Morton went all the way to penalties and I wouldn’t be surprised to see this one go to extra time.
The draw at 90 minutes pays 13/5 at McBookie while SkyBet price either side to win on penalties at 11/2.
The odds are also decent on a half-time draw, with Unibet paying 59/50.
Both teams to score is 6/5 at SportNation and that seems generous as Well have netted in their last seven and Hibs in their six.
Aberdeen v Dundee United
Stephen Glass has made a decent start at Aberdeen, seeing off Livingston in the Cup then drawing with Celtic.
They host Dundee United tomorrow in the last eight and the Dons are 10/11 with McBookie to win without extra-time.
United were thrashed 3-0 at Kilmarnock in midweek and are still struggling to convince under Micky Mellon.
But they are unbeaten against Aberdeen this term, scoring the only goal across three deadly dull New Firm games.
That makes under 1.5 goals appealing here at 9/5 with McBookie while the half-time draw pays evens.
Kilmarnock v St Mirren
Kilmarnock host St Mirren in the last quarter-final tie on Monday night and in-form Kyle Lafferty is overpriced at 9/5 with Paddy Power for a goal after a midweek hat-trick.
SPFL Lower Leagues
IT’S a huge weekend at both ends of the Championship table as they race for play-off slots hots up. Fifth-placed Inverness probably need a win away to champions Hearts so it bodes well for goals.
Over 2.5 strikes pays a best 19/20 at RedZone while BTTS is evens with the same firm.
Raith have already booked their ticket but can secure second spot with a win at third-placed Dundee.
This one should be open as well, with BTTS 17/20 at McBookie and over 2.5 goals a decent 10/11.
Fourth-placed Dunfermline are 20/21 to beat Arbroath at home and the odds increase to 5/2 at McBookie if you double it with under 2.5 goals. Morton to beat relegated Alloa doubled with over 2.5 goals appeals at 15/8.
There’s a huge clash in League One as Cove visit Falkirk and Paul Hartley’s men look overpriced at 12/5 (McBookie) after the Bairns sacked their co-managers.
Super Singles
- Rangers win to nil (21/20, McBookie)
- HT draw in Hibs v Motherwell (Unibet 59/50)
- BTTS at Tynecastle (Evens, RedZone)
- Over 2.5 goals at Dens (10/11, McBookie)
Deadly Double
- Morelos and Lafferty to score (48/10, SkyBet)
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.
