SCOTTISH CUP FINAL TIPS: O’NEILL TO CAP FAIRYTALE CELTIC RETURN WITH A DOUBLE?
Fresh from arguably the most dramatic conclusion to a top-flight season in decades, Celtic descend on Hampden on Saturday chasing a 14th domestic double since the turn of the millennium.
The architect of their breathtaking title win is Martin O'Neill who, at 74, masterminded a seven-game winning streak to seal the Premiership crown and prevent Hearts becoming the first non-Old Firm league winners since 1985.
Now he aims to lift the Scottish Cup for a fourth time as Hoops manager, capping what has ended up a fairytale return.
Standing in his way is a familiar face and his own former protege: Neil Lennon.
Signed by O'Neill for both Leicester and Celtic as a player, Lennon has guided Championship side Dunfermline to their first final since 2007.
The master and apprentice have never clashed in the dugout though, setting up a fascinating battle as the Pars look to upset the heavy favourites.
History hangs heavy over this fixture, too. The pair have met in Scottish Cup finals in four different seasons with Celtic taking the trophy in three of them – though curiously the one Pars victory came when future European Cup-winning Hoops boss Jock Stein was in the East End Park dugout back in 1961.
For O'Neill personally, the memories are sweeter given his first spell in Glasgow ended with a 1-0 Scottish Cup final win.
As for Lennon, it's a chance to prove his tactical nous against his old mentor. He has a respectable record against Celtic as a manager, having taken points in four of their seven previous encounters.
Let’s see if we can follow up our successful 13/1 Celtic vs Hearts Bet Builder with a 12/1 shot in the Scottish domestic season’s showpiece…
CELTIC VS DUNFERMLINE: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Kick-off time: 15:00 BST
- Match date: Sat 23rd May
- Venue: Hampden, Glasgow
- Competition: Scottish Cup
- How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Football
- Form (last five league): CEL WWWWW / DUN LDDWD
- Match market: Click here
BETMGM’S 12/1 CELTIC VS DUNFERMLINE BET BUILDER
- Both teams to score
- Daizen Maeda to score anytime
- Over 5.5 Celtic corners
- Over 2.5 Dunfermline corners
Leg 1 – Both teams to score @ Evens
While Celtic boast a record 42 Scottish Cup triumphs, their defence has been vulnerable during a season of staggering off-pitch turbulence.
But the case for both teams to score in this one is just as much rooted in Celtic’s recent form.
While the Premiership champions are flying in terms of results, their backline has been surprisingly generous.
Both sides have netted in all of their last six fixtures, a trend that a well-drilled Lennon side will be primed to exploit.
While O'Neill has steadied the ship after a turbulent season, that defensive vulnerability remains.
Dunfermline earned their place in the final by proving their giant-killing credentials against three Premiership sides in Hibernian, Aberdeen and Falkirk.
The Pars have nothing to lose and, with Celtic overcoming their own earlier goalscoring downturn to net three times in each of their last three outings, a relatively open game where both sides find the net looks a strong possibility.
Leg 2 – Daizen Maeda to score anytime @ 13/10
If there is one player peaking at the perfect moment, it is Daizen Maeda.
Following a 17-game barren spell, the Japanese forward has exploded into life with eight goals and two assists in his last six appearances.
That scintillating run began with a crucial goal to send the Hoops to this very final.
He has been virtually unstoppable since the league split, scoring at least one goal in every fixture including a double against Rangers and that monumental title-winning strike against Hearts.
Given Maeda's blistering pace against lower-league opposition, backing him to breach the Dunfermline defence warrants serious consideration.
Leg 3 – Over 5.5 Celtic corners @ 1/3
A high corner count for the favourites looks a smart play given their tactical identity.
Under O'Neill, Celtic are set up to dominate possession and attack with width, a strategy that naturally leads to set-pieces.
Statistically, they average more than six corners per league match. Against a Championship side, they will almost certainly control the territory and pin Dunfermline back for long periods.
The expansive dimensions of the Hampden pitch will further benefit Celtic's wingers and, with relentless attacks expected, pushing them past the six corners mark seems a logical outcome.
Leg 4 – Over 2.5 Dunfermline corners @ 4/7
To round off our Bet Builder, there is possible value in Dunfermline’s own set-piece potential.
Lennon knows Celtic intimately and will absolutely have identified set-pieces as a key route to goal given the Hoops’ struggles with aerial balls – something Hearts exploited in the Premiership decider.
The Pars boss will have his side drilled to get physical and exploit counter-attacking opportunities in transition. While Celtic are expected to dominate, the Pars only need a handful of those breakaways to win a few corners.
Expect a disciplined and well-organised Dunfermline to create enough opportunities to clear the low bar of 2.5 corners.
BETMGM’S 12/1 CELTIC VS DUNFERMLINE BET BUILDER
- Both teams to score
- Daizen Maeda to score anytime
- Over 5.5 Celtic corners
- Over 2.5 Dunfermline corners
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
