Scottish League Cup Betting at Ladbrokes
There are conspiracy theorists who claim that the draw for the Betfred Scottish League Cup semi-finals was manipulated to ensure an Old Firm final and a full house at Hampden Park. That’s nonsense, of course, but the odds on it being an Edinburgh and not a Glasgow derby in the first week of December are remote.
Hibernian Form and Team News
Hibs have not won in 10 Premiership games but their last six matches in all competitions have ended all-square after 90 minutes which marks some sort of improvement for Paul Heckingbottom’s side.
Scott Allan, Christian Doidge, and Martin Boyle all returned to action in the 2-2 draw at Livingston on Wednesday. The first and last-named got on the score-sheet while striker Doidge played the full 90 minutes and all should start against Celtic. The latter has managed just two goals in 13 appearances since his high-profile summer move from Forest Green Rovers but is probably still adapting to life north of the border. Allan, of course, had a stint at Celtic and Hoops manager Neil Lennon knows him well. In his third spell in Edinburgh, he is the glue that holds together the Hibernian midfield and has been missed while injured.
Hibs became the first team this season in the Premiership to take points off Celtic when the sides drew 1-1 at Easter Road at the end of September. They could be at full strength for almost the first time this campaign in this first semi-final so the tie could end up being closer than most people might imagine. But the fact remains that they’ve won just once in the league so far, on the opening day of the season, and needed penalties to see of Kilmarnock in the quarter-finals. They’ve kept just one clean sheet since August and much will depend on defensive midfielders Stevie Mallan and Melker Hallberg to protect their back four in this game.
Celtic Form and Team News
Celtic fans are set to outnumber their Hibs counterparts by a ratio of four to one at Hampden so this semi-final will seem like a home game to Hoops players.
Hampden has become almost a home-from-home for many of the Celtic squad in recent seasons as they have reached the final of this competition in four of the last five years. They’ve also won the Scottish FA Cup three times in a row at the national stadium.
The holders have won five of their six matches since being held to a draw at Easter Road, their only setback coming at Livingston. In those victories, they have conceded just one goal and have been strengthened by the return of England international goalkeeper Fraser Forster. They have won the last nine domestic competitions for which they have been eligible and their grip of Scottish club football remains as strong as ever so they will be hot favourites whichever team Neil Lennon decides to put out.
Scott Brown, who has won the League Cup five ties with Celtic, is likely to be passed fit to lead his side again at Hampden, despite suffering a thigh strain in the midweek win over St Mirren. Brown also won the competition with Hibs before joining Celtic. Jeremie Frimpong, Tomas Rogic and Olivier Ntcham could return to the Celtic starting line-up if the manager feels his side needs refreshing.
Hibernian vs Celtic Live Stats & Betting Odds
Hibernian vs Celtic Head-to-Heads
Celtic beat Hibernian 4-2 when they met at this stage of the competition in 2017 and also scored four in a quarter-final victory in 2011. The last two matches between the teams have ended in draws but Celtic won the previous two, achieving shut-outs on both occasions.
Hibernian vs Celtic Current Best Match Odds
Hibernian 12/1, Draw 5/1, Celtic 1/4 (Odds correct at 10.30am November 1)
Hibernian vs Celtic Predictions
Hibs problems have been at both ends of the pitch. They are not scoring enough goals and conceding at least one in most matches. Perhaps they have been a bit unlucky so far this season but they are still falling well short of expectations and the manager is under pressure to find some wins to move them away fro the bottom of the Premiership. The League Cup may not be a priority and this should be a routine win for Celtic. Celtic/Celtic on the Half Time/Full Time looks worth an interest at 17/20 with Ladbrokes as Hibs often fall behind. Celtic to win by two goals is 3/1 with Bet365.
