Celtic vs Hibernian
19 December 15000hrs
Football – Scotland – League Cup
Pick Under 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Betway
Odds: 6/5 odds taken 2000 GMT, Monday 13 December
Celtic and Hibs go head to head for the first piece of silverware in Scotland this Sunday, with the two meeting each other in the League Cup final at Hampden.
Table of Contents
Celtic Preview – Can Postecoglou lead his players to a first trophy of his reign?
Celtic go in search of their sixth League Cup in eight years this weekend but it would be the first trophy in the Ange Postecoglou era. The Australian arrived in Glasgow this summer to a somewhat underwhelming reaction and early results suggested he may not be around for long. However, approach Sunday’s match and Celtic are in the best form they have been for a while. They remain second in the Premiership – four points behind Rangers – but are unbeaten since September domestically and Wednesday’s last-gap win at Ross County was their 14th win in the last 16 games in all competitions. Only Bayer Leverkusen have beaten them in that time.
There is the sense that something is building at Celtic Park but it’s all about silverware and this is the acid test.
Celtic’s route to the final has been straightforward enough. They were much more dominant than the 3-2 score line suggests against Hearts before brushing aside Raith Rovers. St Johnstone proved to be a more stubborn opponent in the semi-final last month but a James Forrest winner proved to be the difference.
Forrest is one of a number of attacking players who is doubtful to be involved this weekend, though, and with goals in three League Cup finals his experience and impact in the big moments is no doubt a blow.
Hibernian Preview – Will Hibs upset their opponents and win this competition for the first time in 14 years?
Shaun Maloney is widely tipped to be the next permanent manager of Hibernian following the sacking of Jack Ross last week. However that won’t be until Monday at the earliest with David Gray set for a third match in interim charge. The goal scoring hero for Hibs in the 2016 Scottish Cup final got his first win since taking over in a 1-0 success at home to Dundee on Tuesday. It was Hibs’ first league win at home since September.
It could be a timely boost to the confidence and belief of this team, though, who have shown already this season that they can lift themselves on the big occasion.
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The 2007 League Cup winners have been impressive en route to this stage. A routine home win against Kilmarnock was followed up with a resounding victory against Dundee United at Tannadice. That set up a last four clash at Hampden against Rangers and a Martin Boyle hat-trick in the first half sees them return to a final just seven months after losing to St Johnstone in last season’s Scottish Cup showpiece.
Boyle is Hibs’ most important attacker as it is but he could take on even more responsibility following Kevin Nisbet limping off in midweek. He’s a big doubt for this one.
Celtic vs Hibernian Betting Advice
This will be the first meeting between the teams in this competition in two years. Celtic were victorious that day setting up a final success against Motherwell, and they were also celebrating the last time the teams met – a 3-1 win at Easter Road back in October.
Much has changed since that day with Hibs waving goodbye to Jack Ross and Celtic now nursing a lengthy injury risk. The Hibees performance in the semi-final will serve as a warning to Postecoglou and his players.
Key Facts – Celtic vs Hibernian Betting Tip
- Celtic will be contesting their sixth League Cup final eight seasons (they’ve won the previous five)
- Hibs will be led by interim manager David Gray as they await to appoint a permanent manager
- The teams last met in this competition in 2019 when Celtic defeated Hibs 5-2 at the semi-final stage
You could argue there should be goals in this one considering Hibs have kept one clean sheet in 12 matches but I’m expecting a cagey affair. Eight of the last 14 meetings between the two have seen two or fewer goals whilst six of Hibs’ last eight games have went the same way. I’m backing under 2.5 goals.
Best Betting Odds for Celtic vs Hibernian
