Live on BBC1 Scot: Sat 15.00: Peter Sharkey has two picks for the Scottish Cup final, which he thinks could go the distance (6/1, betway).
For the fourth time in six years, there’ll be no Old Firm representative in Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final, although as the finalists are separated by a division, one team, Inverness, are understandably installed as William Hill’s overwhelming 6/10 favourites to lift a trophy they have never won.
Falkirk, who have won the Cup twice, most recently in 1957, are offered at an incredible 9/2 by Skybet to win inside 90 minutes.
The pair have not met since they both occupied a top-flight berth in 2008-09 when Falkirk won five of their six contests and though most punters are correct to assume that this will have little bearing on Saturday’s outcome, it promises to be tight, a suspicion which adds plenty of appeal to Ladbrokes’ 19/20 for Saturday’s contest to produce fewer than 2.5 goals.
Punters should also be mindful that unless otherwise stated, all bets will be for results or outcomes inside 90 minutes, though BetVictor’s 13/2 for the teams to go in at half time with the score at 1-1 clearly doesn’t fall into this category.
Backers expecting Falkirk to struggle can get 13/10 (Stan James) against them winning when handed a one-goal start, but those anticipating the final heading into extra time could be in for a profitable Saturday. Winner.com chalk 3/1 about there being a need for an extra 30 minutes’ play, while Betway post an attractive 6/1 against the outcome being determined by a penalty shoot-out. Interestingly, both teams are priced at 14/1 (Paddy Power) to win on penalties, whereas Skybet mark 9/1 against Inverness winning in extra time while Falkirk are 20/1 (bet365) in the same market.
Only once in the last six finals have both teams scored, a statistic which enhances the attraction of BetVictor’s 6/1 for Inverness to win 2-0; Stan James price the Championship side at 12/1 to win 1-0.
Recommended Bets:
Match to go to extra-time – 3/1 (Winner.com)
Match to go to penalties – 6/1 (betway)
Compare all Scottish Premiership odds and bet at the best price.