Dundee Utd v Celtic: Betting Preview

Dundee Utd v Celtic
Live on ESPN. Kick off 12.30

Odds of 1/1 (Betfair) on Celtic to win a domestic fixture are a rarity and usually only reserved for visits to Ibrox, but it’s perhaps a measure of how poor this Celtic side are that bookies can stretch to such tempting odds on them picking up 3 points at Tannadice on Sunday.

There’s been little to choose between the two sides in recent meetings with 5 of the last 6 finishing all square including a 1-1 draw at Celtic Park earlier in the season and this fixture looks equally difficult to call. You’d expect then that both teams would be roughly the same price but United can be backed at 10/3 (Ladbrokes) and they could be the value bet.

Celtic looked incredibly fragile in the 3-3 draw at Falkirk two weeks ago and the central defence must be Tony Mowbray’s biggest cause for concern. Depending on your point of view it could be good news that he’ll be without Stephen McManus (suspension) and possibly Glenn Loovens (groin strain) for the trip to Dundee. They’ll be joined by Boruc, Maloney and Scott Brown on the sidelines as the depth of the Hoops squad is fully tested.

Dundee Utd boss Craig Levein will be looking to put talk of him taking over the Scotland hotseat to one side for this match and instead concentrate on adding to his record of just 8 defeats in 22 game against Old Firm opposition as Dundee United boss.

If you do fancy United to get the better of Celtic then you should also consider the 4/1 (Blue Sq, Stan James) on United leading at half-time. Strangely you can have better odds on them winning the first 45 minutes than the full 90. But for me the value call is to back United in the Draw No Bet market at 2/1 (Blue Sq, Ladbrokes, Skybet, VCBet, William Hill) – that way if things finish all square again you’ll at least get your money back.

With Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney missing for Celtic, Barry Robson could find himself in the centre of midfield. The former United man has yet to recapture the form that saw him become an instant hit at Celtic Park two seasons ago but he can be deadly from set pieces and with Aiden McGeady missing his last spot kick, Robson could also be on penalty duties. He’s 14/1 (Bet365, Boylesports, Ladbrokes, Skybet, Sportingbet, VCBet, William Hill) to open the scoring and 11/2 (William Hill) to score in the 90 minutes and could be worth a small interest.

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