Aberdeen can finally dirty Celtic sheets in Scottish Cup clash

The SPL’s top two clash in the Scottish Cup fifth round, though the 21-point gap between leaders Celtic and second-placed Aberdeen gives some clue of the enormity of the task facing the visiting Dons in progressing to the quarters.

Given the chasm of league points separating the clubs, Celtic’s odds of 4/11 to prevail – as they did by a score of 3-1 in their last SPL meeting at Celtic Park back in November – should not be balked at.

Undefeated in every one of their 24 top-flight fixtures to date, it’s hardly surprising to see the draw out as far as 4/1, while a first victory over Celtic since 2008 for Aderdeen, is deemed a 13/2 shot for Derek McInnes’ side.

Put into further context, the last three teams to inflict defeat on Neil Lennon’s boys were Barcelona, AC Milan and Ajax in the Champions League group stages, when Christmas shopping was on the agenda.

Since being stuffed 6-1 by Lionel Messi and co, Lennon’s charges have embarked on a truly imperious run, winning their next 11 SPL games, but crucially without Fraser Forster beaten once.

Ominous reading indeed for Dons fans, though therein lies probably the best value bet in the pack of 21/20 about Aberdeen at least breaking through Celtic’s Fort Knox-like defences in a game where both teams score.

As mentioned earlier, the Dons did find the net at Celtic Park on their last visit and on the road particularly McInnes side are a difficult force to keep out, even for the Hoops.

Mightily impressive on their travels, Aberdeen have scored in all but one of those games this season and have picked up 13 points from the last 15 available away from Pittodrie.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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