Sunday 28th October 1330hrs Hearts v Celtic Football – Scotland – League Cup It’s the semi final stage of the Scottish League cup – the first of three trophies up for grabs in Scotland and there are two excellent ties in store. The first takes place at the home of Scottish Rugby, incidentally, where a packed Murrayfield will play host to a clash between the current league leaders and the team who have won the past two League Cups. There is certainly no love lost between these two clubs and with a place at Hampden on the 2nd of December on offer, this promises to be one not to be missed. Continue reading for a match preview of Hearts against Celtic with a best betting tip selection.
Hearts have made a tremendous start to this season and deservedly sit top of the table, now clear by six points following their 3-0 win over Dundee on Tuesday. Craig Levein’s men have already beaten their weekend opponents – winning 1-0 in the league at Tynecastle back in August – so there will be inferiority complex heading into Sunday’s game. The Gorgie club have made it to this stage by topping their group (winning two matches 5-0) before an away win over Dunfermilne and then eventually seeing off Motherwell at home in the quarter final. Having not won this competition since 1962, Hearts fans will feel a League Cup trophy is long overdue and will be in buoyant mood heading into the match with Celtic following their start to the season. Despite having suffered a few injuries to key players their form continues and apart from one disappointing result when losing to Rangers in the league earlier this month, it’s been a campaign full of positives and if they can get past this challenge then there’s potential for this to be a very special season.
Celtic come into this on the back of another really underwhelming performance and result in Europe, this time losing 2-0 to Leipzig in Germany. It’s been a real failing for Brendan Rodgers during his tenure and although they are still in with a chance of qualification there appears to be serious improvement needed at that level. Back to domestic matters and they’ll bid to win this competition for the third successive year having won it in both seasons Rodgers has been here to date with the manager looking to continue his 100% haul of domestic trophies. It’s a remarkable feat and one he is clearly looking to continue going by his team selection for the Leipzig game where he refused to take any chances of risking players who may be carrying an injury. Due to competing in European qualifying over the summer Celtic never had to play in the group stage of the League Cup, entering straight into the knockout phase. The Hoops have disposed of Partick Thistle and St Johnstone (both away from home) but have been tested in both and they’ll be expecting even more of an examination on Sunday.
Hearts v Celtic Betting Tip
When Hearts beat Celtic 1-0 in the league it was predominantly down to their physical approach to the game, led by their striker Uche Ikpeazu and the goal coming from Kyle Lafferty. Neither player is available to Levein this weekend due to injury and transfer respectively, but Hearts have adapted their game in their absence. Steven Naismith has really came to the fore and has been pivotal linking with the midfield and central striker. He has history with Celtic having played with Rangers for a number of years and there will be no one more desperate to get the win on Sunday then he. For Celtic they have to try and forget about their European disappointment and continue with their recent impressive domestic form which has seen them score 10 goals in their last two games. Tom Rogic will almost certainly come back in from the start and he has been exceptional in recent weeks. Dedryck Boyata will be missing, however, having been sent off in the previous round and defensive reinforcements are thin on the ground for Rodgers.
A lot has changed in the couple of months since Hearts were victorious over Celtic but they were top of the league then and remain top now. A semi-final always brings with it a different dynamic and it’s often how well a team deals with the occasion best who end up winning. Celtic have shown that under Rodgers in their four semi finals to date and although it’s been an up and down campaign so far, they inevitably turn up in the big domestic games and can do so again here.
Selection: Celtic 4/6 @ Betfred
