Scottish Cup winner odds and outright predictions: Celtic geared for glory

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for the 2020-21 Scottish Cup outright market and third-round matches.

Best bets

Celtic to win the Scottish Cup
3pts 15-8 Betfair, Paddy Power

St Johnstone to win the Scottish Cup
0.5pt each-way 33-1 Hills

St Johnstone to beat Dundee
2pts 19-20 Betfair, Paddy Power

The big hitters join the Scottish Cup fray as the third round of the competition starts on Friday and Celtic can hold off Scottish Premiership champions Rangers to triumph for the fifth successive year.

The draw is likely to play a major role in the destination of the trophy, but at the prices the 15-8 on offer about the Bhoys looks to underestimate their chances.

Of course, Rangers have been the dominant force in the league this season and Steven Gerrard’s side are 20 points superior to their rivals in the table.

However, there has been little for Celtic to play for in the league for weeks and on the evidence of this season’s Old Firm games there doesn’t seem to be as much between the sides as the prices suggest.

Most of Celtic’s problems this term have stemmed from their leaky defence, but that looks to have been addressed and the Bhoys have conceded just four goals in their last nine matches.

There are no problems going forward for John Kennedy’s side, with Odsonne Edouard notching 12 times in his last 16 games, and Celtic look the value play now they have some extra motivation.

If there is a team to upset the top two in the betting then punters should look no further than League Cup winners St Johnstone.

The Saints have been chalked up at 33-1 and that looks to massively underplay their chances.

Callum Davidson’s side are performing well on expected-goals data this term and they have lost just one of their last seven matches.

St Johnstone are rated 19-20 shots for their third-round tie at Championship side Dundee.

It’s fair to say that Davidson’s side could have been handed an easier draw, but the trip to Dens Park may not prove to be as difficult as the betting suggests.

The Saints look good value to win at Dundee and with that factored into the outright offering they are too big at 33-1 to repeat their 2014 Scottish Cup victory.

Back them each-way with Hills, who offer half the odds should they make the final.

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