Scottish Cup Betting Tips: Opportunity knocks for non-Old Firm teams
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The Scottish Cup semi-finals take place this weekend without either of the Old Firm teams, with Hibernian and giant-killing St Johnstone the co-favourites at 7/4 in the outright market.
Saints eliminated Scottish champions Rangers in a penalty shoot-out and are favourites to get the better of St Mirren over 90 minutes in Sunday’s game at Hampden Park, while Hibs are 5/6 to beat Dundee United at the same venue.
With a refreshing line-up over the weekend, we take a look at the action with our Scottish Cup betting tips.
Dundee United v Hibernian
Saturday’s first tie sees Dundee United aim to reach their first final in seven years having dispatched Aberdeen 3-0 in the previous round.
On-loan Reading striker Marc McNulty bagged a double either side of a Ryan Edwards header to fire the Arabs into the semi-finals where they are 10/3 to spring a surprise.
🗣 "It started yesterday with the send off we got from the supporters. They showed us what it's all about."
🎥 Hear from Micky Mellon and Ryan Edwards after our 3-0 win away at Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup.#UnitedTogether pic.twitter.com/BDlNZsuj6B
— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) April 25, 2021
Hibs, a distant third behind Rangers and Celtic in the Scottish Premiership table, did it the hard way and needed a penalty shoot-out to squeeze past Motherwell after the match had finished 2-2 at the end of extra time.
The teams have met three times this season, with Hibs on top twice, although they were unlucky not to win December’s encounter when Luke Bolton scored at the back post in stoppage time to secure a 1-1 draw.
All three matches produced two goals or fewer, so we go Hibs to win and under 3.5 goals at 29/20.
St Mirren v St Johnstone
Zander Clark was the hero at both ends of the pitch in St Johnstone’s quarter-final victory against Rangers.
The Saints keeper made two vital saves in normal time to send the game into extra time and when he was finally beaten he later raced upfield for a corner, with his header setting up Chris Kane for the equaliser.
Clark made two saves in the shoot-out as Saints became the first team to win at Ibrox this season and they are 29/20 to beat St Mirren for a third time this season.
Two of those wins were by a single goal and another 1-0 win is priced at 11/2, while St Johnstone to win and under 3.5 goals is 19/10.
The Buddies scored twice in the final 10 minutes to beat the 10-man Saints 3-2 just before Christmas, so for punters looking at a shock they are 2/1 to reach the final for the first time since they won the cup in 1987.
