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Celtic will take on Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday, 23 May, with the Bhoys chasing a league and cup double.
While Celtic are well-versed in these occasions at Hampden Park, the match represents Dunfermline's first chance to win the competition since 2007, when they came up short in a final against the same opponents.
One interesting subplot is the fact that Dunfermline are led by none other than Celtic legend, Neil Lennon.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Celtic vs Dunfermline key stats
- Celtic have won their last eight matches in all competitions.
- Dunfermline have won just one of their last five matches in all competitions.
- More than three goals have been scored in four of Celtic's last five matches.
Celtic vs Dunfermline preview: An easy afternoon ahead for the Bhoys
Celtic vs Dunfermline — Tale of the Tape
| CelticW | vs | Dunfermline |
|---|---|---|
| 1st (Scottish Premiership) | Position | 4th (Scottish Championship) |
| 82 | Points | 51 |
| 73 | Goals For | 52 |
| 41 | Goals Against | 41 |
| 13 | Clean Sheets | 15 |
After the drama of last weekend, when Celtic won the Scottish Premiership title late on in a final-day-decider with Hearts, their fans will be hoping for and expecting a much less stressful afternoon this Saturday.
Facing a Championship side in the cup final is an opportunity that their side is unlikely to miss out on, particularly as no side from the second tier has ever beaten a top-flight side in the final in the last 30 years.
While there is still a chance that he could stay for another season, there is also a strong possibility that this will be Martin O'Neill's final match in charge of Celtic. The emotional element of that is only likely to strengthen Celtic's desire to avoid complacency and win with ease.
If Celtic do come out on top on Saturday, then it will be the club's 43rd triumph in the competition and their 22nd league and cup double. Next best on both lists are Rangers with 33 Scottish Cup titles and 18 doubles.
For the match at Hampden Park, O'Neill will be without Tomas Cvancara, Kasper Schmeichel, Colby Donovan, Julian Araujo, Adam Montgomery, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota due to injury.
As for Dunfermline, Saturday represents an opportunity to make history and to give their supporters one of the best days of their lives.
There is zero expectation on the Pars, but their players will be determined to, at the very least, prevent the match from being a glorified training session for their superior opponents. From a wider club perspective, there will perhaps be some ambitions to avenge the 2007 final, which they lost 1-0 to Celtic.
Dunfermline's form in the build-up to the match has not been that of a team capable of downing the Scottish champions. Last time out, they were knocked out of the Scottish Championship playoffs by Partick Thistle, which means promotion will no longer be a consolation prize should they fail to lift the cup on Saturday.
Neil Lennon, who would love to get one over his former club, will be without the injured quintet of Graham Carey, Freddie Turley, Zak Rudden, Olly Thomas and Ewan Otoo.
Celtic vs Dunfermline form guide & betting tips
| Celtic | vs | Dunfermline |
|---|---|---|
WWWWW |
Form | DWDDL |
| 14 | Goals For | 3 |
| 6 | Goals Against | 3 |
WWW |
Scottish Cup | WWW |
Whispers predicts: Celtic 4-0 Dunfermline
Celtic have won both of their matches against lower league opposition this season without conceding a goal. Celtic to win to nil has been priced at 1/1.
More than three goals have been scored in five of Celtic's matches since the league split. Over 3.5 goals has been priced at 5/4.
Benjamin Nygren has scored 22 goals in all competitions this season. Nygren is priced at 29/20 to score anytime on Saturday.
> Celtic to win to nil at 1/1 | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 3.5 goals at 5/4 | Likelihood: Probable
> Nygren to score anytime at 29/20 | Likelihood: Possible