Scottish Cup Final

[Beanie]

Awfy late for this, but might still be worth sticking a thread up.

I don't usually dabble in the win markets for Old Firm games, but the -1.5 handicaps for Celtic look superb for tomorrow @ anything over 1.75 ish(1.83 on Betfair and Pinnacle.)

Bit too tired to make this a long post, but United showed last time that they can't deal with Bellamy, and the same might be expected tomorrow. Add in the stunning historical record between the two(something like 20 wins in a row :yikes ), the potential that this is the final game for many players, etc, and I think it will be a Celtic win, and a fairly emphatic one at that.

United have improved, but that improvement has been a little stunted recently, and as much as they want to win, after staving off relegation and qualifying for Europe this could well simply represent an end of season bonus, whereas the events of the last week or two have transformed the game into a must win for Celtic.

Remember back to last year: Dunfermline up for their big day out, while Celtic try to give Larsson the perfect send-off. Then imagine the same situation involving the manager and a handful of key players.

5/10 or summat on that one for me.

Might be tempted on 0.5pts on Jason Scotland to score anytime though. McIntyre looks like he'll miss out, and I can't imagine Scotland will be overlooked. Someone like Grady is all well and good v other Scottish teams, but he offers very little to cause big experienced defenders like Varga or Balde many problems. Although rough around the edges, Scotland possesses raw pace and power which were used to great effect when scoring within 5 mins of coming on v Rangers in the CIS semi at Hampden, and it might be perfect for him to once again expose the wide open spaces. If tall defenders have a problem v any United player tomorrow, I would expect it to be him.

If I can get near 10.00 for that, and he starts, I think its certainly worth half a point.

:think

[crowie]

Agree with you Beanie, I am on Celtic at 1.83 with Betdaq -1.5 today.

I stewed with it for a while but IMO the players will be desperate to rescue something from this season and the word is if they win they will ask MON to collect the cup with Jackie Mac. Winning is incentive enough for the players after last weekend but MON's final game gives them that little bit extra to aim for.

I wouldn't say Dundee Utd are not worried about the game, its a cup final after all, but their most crucial games were the last two weekends to keep them in the SPL. They know that no matter the result they are in Europe next season.

Celts to send MON off on a (semi) high after last weekends disappointment and hopefully with something to spare.

5pts Celtic -1.5 on AH at 1.83 with Betdaq.

[Parahandy]

I think this could well be a close match. Sure Celtic will be desperate to win after last week and with it being MON's last game at the helm. However, the players will be emotionally drained after last week and if they don't score early it could be a very long tension packed afternoon.

The CIS semi farce apart, United fans can look with some justified optimism to the performances against Rangers in the SPL and the last match with Celtic at Tannadice which was alive until the last kick of the ball. They are not expected to win and as has been pointed out have an awful record against Celtic but this has been a week of major upsets and it's not beyond the realms of possibility there could be another one here.

United with a 2 goal start looks a fair bet to me.

[stevenc1]

Fair shout Para Utd with goal(s) start worth a small investment.

Also thinking 'bout recent big games - OF last week & liverpool midweek - mebbe shows that the season finale could well have an unpredictable outcome i.e. Celtic not winning ?:think

[aliensyndm]

A few different psychological factors come into play here. You have the fact celtic lost the league and that must be playing on their mind a bit. You have the fact celtic will want to win to try and send Martin off on a half decent note. You have the fact Dundee Utd have escapated relegation and will certainly be quite "relaxed". They're also in europe so that will help relax them.
Are your most dangerous opponents those with nothing to lose ? Dundee utd may play like that and could be dangerous.

OK so celtic have the better players you would think. But cup finals are cup finals. I notice the under 2.5 kicking about at 2.64 or so. I reckon this is alot closer to the mark than the liverpool total was but may represent a tiny bit of value. I'd quite like to see united win cos if forced to say who I supported I'd probably say them. But I'd also quite like to see celtic win for Martin.
Perhaps this should stop me betting on the game as heart may rule head ?
I might just have to have a fiver on united in 90 mins at 15.0 for a laugh though Yeah celtic will probably win but 1.25 , no thanks.

[Parahandy]

Meant to say in the above post the odds for United plus 2 goals were 2.10 at Totesport.

Well, the bet was landed but with Celtic scoring after 11 minutes it didn't look likely. It was like watching a rerun of last week at Motherwell, with Celtic missing a bundle of chances to put United away.

[Beanie]

Good call Para

Thought Bellamy was outstanding...young Kenneth was badly exposed all game long.