Live on Skysports 1 & 3: Sun 13.15 & 15.45: Celtic are 8/13 (Partybets) to beat Dundee Utd in the Scottish Cup but there could be an upset.
Celtic have virtually wrapped up the title, thanks in part to the crisis down the road while the Bhoys are just one win away from League Cup glory, so the toughest leg of their potential treble is the Scottish Cup, especially as Neil Lennon’s men face a quarter final showdown with in-form Dundee United.
The Terrors have won five of their last six, conceding just once in the process and their recent performances hint at an upset at Tannadice, where the hosts are 5/1 with Paddy Power to stun the Hoops.
Inevitably, it’s the visitors that bookies favour, Partybets pricing them at 8/13 but while a draw at Aberdeen last time out doesn’t quite constitute a sticky patch given that it was preceded by such a lengthy winning run, United have run them close enough in the last two meetings to suggest they can cause the holders all sorts of problems.
Of course, with Celtic the best side in the SPL by some distance, they can’t be written off but they aren’t invincible and Peter Houston’s team are worth a few quid at 16/5 in Blue Square’s ‘Draw No Bet’ market. Alternatively, the Terrors get a goal start from Stan James in the handicaps, at 7/5 and with six goals in five cup matches this season, including one at Ibrox in the last round of this competition, Johnny Russell could give Lennon’s charges a few headaches; the young striker is a mouth watering 10/1 (bet365) to break the deadlock.
At Fir Park, Motherwell are 21/20 with BetVictor to get the better of Aberdeen but as the Dons have drawn seven of their last nine in all competitions, Coral’s 12/5 for the tie to require a replay is where the value lies.
It certainly looks set to be a low-scoring affair, Skybet pricing it at 8/13 to produce fewer than three goals and punters shouldn’t rule out a 0-0 stalemate, a result Ladbrokes rate at 8/1.
Recommended Bets:
Dundee United to beat Celtic ‘Draw No Bet’ – 16/5 (Blue Square)
Motherwell and Aberdeen to draw – 12/5 (Coral)
Compare all Scottish Cup odds and bet at the best price.
