Mr Fixit Says… It’s An All-SPL Final

Mr Fixit, SPL, Scottish Cup | selectabet | April 9, 2010 at 6:31 pm

MrFixitSays The Daily Record’s top tipster Mr Fixit gives us his thoughts on all the games in Scotland in association with our friends at McBookie.com…

IT’S Scottish Cup semi-finals weekend and unless there are any big shocks we should be looking ahead to a Celtic v Dundee United final at Hampden. Two First Division sides, Ross County and Raith Rovers, have battled through to the last four but that should be where their glory runs end.

Celtic stand in the way of County and you’ve got to fancy the Hoops to keep alive their last chance of picking up silverware even at odds of 2-9. County are 10-1. Robbie Keane’s been the maestro for the Parkhead men with 12 goals in 12 games and is a short-priced favourite with McBookie.com to hit the opener at Hampden.

Dundee United have been in sparkling form after a dodgy start to Peter Houston’s reign and they should be too strong for First Division strugglers Raith. United are 4-11 with Rovers 15-2. McBookie have priced up which game will produce most goals and go 4-5 Celtic v County, 13-8 United v Raith and 7-2 the tie. County could have their backs against the wall in trying to keep the score down so go for Arabs v Rovers. And Rovers at 12-5 to score more than County 11-4 is also the shout although a tie at 7-2 can’t be ruled out.

Celtic are 7-1 to win after extra time and 16-1 on penalties with County 40-1 and 33-1. United are 6-1 to go through after extra time and 14-1 to triumph by a shoot-out with Raith 33-1 and 25-1.

There are four crucial games in the SPL although none affect the title race. There is a battle of the bottom two between Falkirk and St Mirren and it could tense and turgid. A low-score draw has to be the call.

Aberdeen face being dragged into a relegation scrap after just one win in 14 games and may have to wait a bit to be declared safe when St Johnstone visit Pittodrie on Sunday. A win could put Saints in the top six and they are 15-8 to get it.

Hearts have the chance to freeze Saints out 24 hours earlier when they visit Kilmarnock but I reckon Jimmy Calderwood’s men can repeat their victory against Aberdeen. Killie are 3-1.

The other SPL clash sees Hamilton entertain Hibs and although they are underdogs I can see improving Accies racking up a win against an Edinburgh outfit who have been inconsistent of late. Hamilton are 6-4 as are Hibees.

In the First Division Inverness have jumped four clear in the race to SPL and look like holding off long-term favourites Dundee. Both sides have tough tests this weekend and there may be no winners with both dropping points. Inverness travel to Queen of the South while Dundee face a tough trip to Firhill.

In the Second Division best bets are title-chasing Alloa who should take care of a fading Brechin. Back the Wasps at 4-6. I also fancy Dumbarton who have stormed into play-off contention with back-to-back away wins at Stirling and Brechin. The Sons are on home soil and look good at 4-5 against East Fife.

Livingston should clinch the Third Division title by seeing off Forfar at Almondvale. The leaders are 8-15.