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Scottish League Cup Final preview: Celtic set to grab season’s first silverware

2 years ago
| BY News Team

The first domestic honours of the season are up for grabs in Scotland this Sunday, as Celtic and Hibernian go head-to-head in the 76th edition of the Scottish League Cup Final at Hampden Park.

We preview the clash below.

Celtic strong favourites despite depleted attack 

Celtic are second only to Glasgow-rivals Rangers as the most successful team in Scottish League Cup history having won the competition 19 times and finished as runners-up a further 15 times.

After a slow start to the season, manager Ange Postecoglou has really got his side playing and they have been in brilliant form, losing only once in their last 16 games in all competitions. One of those games was a 3-1 away win against Hibs in October and Celtic will be confident that they can again overcome the Edinburgh side to win what would be their fifth Scottish League Cup in six seasons.

The Bhoys have been scoring plenty of goals, with 22 in their last 10 games, and Kyogo Furuhashi has been a constant threat for them in attack this season. However, the Japanese international is currently suffering from a thigh injury and there is still a doubt about him being ready for Sunday’s final. Celtic could be further depleted in attack, with Ajeti Albian, Jota and Giakoumakis Georgios also currently nursing injuries.

While that is a worry, such is Celtic’s strength in depth, they remain strong 1/4 favourites to lift the cup, while they are 4/7 to win the tie in 90 minutes. 

Hibs look to put difficult week behind them

Hibernian are three-time Scottish League Cup winners, with their most recent success coming in 2007, when they defeated Kilmarnock 5-1.

It’s been a tumultuous few weeks for the Hibees, who come into the final without a full-time manager following the dismissal of Jack Ross last week. A dramatic slump in form saw them win only twice in 10 games, with a defeat to Livingston last Wednesday spelling the end for their manager. Interim boss David Gray has led the side to a draw and a win recently, which should have boosted morale in the lead up to the final, but goals remain in short supply at Easter Road. They have scored only five times in their last seven games and finding a way past the Celtic defence could be their biggest challenge. Hopes of doing so may be pinned on Australian striker Martin Boyle, who scored a hattrick against Rangers in the semi-finals and he is 11/2 to find the net first on Sunday.

They also have injury worries of their own too, as midfielder Chris Cadden and striker Kevin Nisbet were forced to leave the pitch in their recent win over Dundee.

Hibs have only beaten Celtic once in their last 10 meetings and their chances of recording another success are priced at 4/1. They may find themselves deep in their own half for much of the contest, but their defence has generally been a strong point this season and this could be a tie that extends beyond 90 minutes, with a draw priced at 3/1.

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