After a season brimming with drama, VAR controversy, and more managerial changes than your local five-a-side, the curtain will finally fall on the Scottish football calendar this Saturday afternoon with the Scottish FA Cup Final - and it’s shaping up to be a cracker.
Celtic and Aberdeen will once again lock horns at Hampden Park, in what will be their first meeting in a Scottish Cup final since 2017. That particular occasion ended in heartbreak for the Dons, as a last-gasp goal from Tom Rogic broke red hearts and sealed silverware for the Bhoys. Will history repeat itself? Or will Aberdeen finally break their 34-year duck?
A Tale of Two Semi-Finals
Celtic booked their spot in the showpiece in typically dominant fashion, brushing aside St Johnstone with a 5-0 walloping that barely broke a sweat for Brendan Rodgers and company. It was their third straight appearance in the final, and on this evidence, they look in no mood to slow down.
Aberdeen’s route to Hampden was a touch more dramatic - and arguably, far more Scottish. After being held by Hearts in regular time, they managed to snatch a 2-1 win in extra time, despite a mad spell that saw the Edinburgh side reduced to nine men. Let’s just say it wasn’t one for the purists.
And now, we’re set for a rematch steeped in history - two grand old clubs battling for the famous trophy at 3pm on Saturday, May 24, in a fan-friendly timeslot, after last year’s post-teatime final drew a few grumbles.
Head-to-Head Cup History
This will be the eighth time the two clubs have faced each other in a Scottish Cup final. Celtic have taken the honours four times, with Aberdeen lifting the trophy on three occasions.
It’s worth noting, however, that the Dons haven’t hoisted the cup since 1990, back when perms and short shorts were still in fashion. Celtic, on the other hand, are going for a third consecutive cup win, which would cap off another domestic treble. Routine? Almost. But not quite boring.
Match Odds
Looking at the outright match betting, Celtic are the firm favourites at 4/11, reflecting both their recent dominance and Aberdeen’s underdog status. A draw in 90 minutes sits at 5/1, which might tempt those expecting a cagey affair, while Aberdeen backers can take heart (and possibly some profit) from odds of 7/1 for a regulation-time upset.
If you’re more interested in simply picking the winner, regardless of how long it takes, Celtic are 1/6 to lift the trophy, while Aberdeen are available at a punchy 11/2 - not a bad flutter for romantics and masochists alike.
Whether you’re backing the favourites or chancing an underdog fairytale, make sure to check out this comprehensive list of UK betting sites before placing your bets.
Correct Score Odds – Predict the Plot Twist
For those who enjoy testing their psychic powers, the correct score market is where things get spicy. A 2-0 Celtic win is currently priced around 7/1, while a slightly nervier 2-1 victory fetches 15/2. A more conservative 1-0 scoreline edges in at 17/2, and for those expecting another demolition job, 3-0 and 3-1 come in at 9/1 and 10/1 respectively.
Draws? A 1-1 result is at 11/1, 2-2 at 18/1, and for the glass-half-empty crowd, a good old 0-0 snoozefest pays 22/1.
For Dons dreamers, Aberdeen to win 2-1 is priced at 22/1, 1-0 at 25/1, and the bold prediction of a 2-0 Dons masterclass sits at 55/1. And for those with nerves of steel and a taste for chaos, 3-2 Aberdeen is a juicy 60/1.
First Goalscorer Market – Who’ll Break the Deadlock?
The battle to bag the opener is always a fan favourite, and Celtic’s Daizen Maeda leads the charge at 7/2, just ahead of Adam Idah, who’s hovering at 19/5.
Aberdeen’s options are understandably priced more generously, with Daniel Cummings, Joao Pedro Jota, and Johnny Kenny all hovering around 5/1. A bit further back, Nicolas Kuhn is offered at 6/1, with Reo Hatate and Luke McCowan both sitting at 13/2.
A few outsider punts include Hyun-Jun Yang and Arne Engels at 8/1, James Forrest at 9/1, and if you really fancy a shock, there’s Pape Habib Gueye, Kevin Nisbet, Paulo Bernardo, and Jude Bonnar all available at 11/1.
For punters hunting down welcome offers and extra value, there are always many bookmaker free bets worth exploring ahead of the big match.
Anytime Goalscorer – The Safer Route
If predicting the first goal feels a tad ambitious, the anytime scorer market offers a more forgiving alternative.
Maeda is again at the top, priced 6/5, while Johnny Kenny, Daniel Cummings, and Jota follow closely at 5/4. Adam Idah sits nicely at 29/20, with McCowan at 7/4, and Kuhn at a tidy 39/20.
Midfield maestros Hatate and Yang are priced at 41/20 and 12/5, respectively, while old heads like Forrest come in at 5/2. Fancy a flier? Try Jude Bonnar or Paulo Bernardo at 3/1, Peter Ambrose at 10/3, or even Callum McGregor at 17/5.
Corners Market – Flag-Happy Finale?
If goals aren’t your thing, you might want to angle for the corners market - a favourite of stats-driven punters. Over 9.5 corners comes in at 4/9, with 10.5 slightly longer at 7/10. Looking for something a bit edgier? Over 12.5 corners sits at 31/20, and 13.5 climbs to 43/20.
Should you think this’ll be a tighter affair, under 11.5 corners is priced at 8/11, and if you’re going full Mourinho-mode, under 7.5 or 6.5 delivers long odds at 18/5 and 11/2, respectively.
And if you’re putting together a few wagers, a handy bet calculator can save you the mental gymnastics.
Hat-Trick Heroics – Long Shots and Daydreams
Not many players notch trebles in cup finals, but that doesn’t mean we can’t hope. Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah are the shortest odds for a hat-trick at 25/1, with Cummings and Kenny slightly longer at 28/1.
From there, it’s a bit of a novelty list: Jota and Kuhn at 40/1, McCowan at 50/1, Hatate at 66/1, and both Yang and Bonnar drift to 80/1 and 100/1, respectively. If you think it’s Sean McArdle’s time to shine, you can get him at a wallet-worrying 125/1.
Final Word – Cup Glory or Another Celtic Cruise?
On paper, this final leans heavily in Celtic’s favour. Form, experience, and sheer squad depth all suggest they should lift the trophy. But football has a funny way of defying expectations - and Aberdeen’s spirit this season suggests they won’t roll over easily.
As always, bet smart - and if things ever get out of hand, GambleAware.org is there to help.