Celtic v Aberdeen: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Aberdeen and Celtic meet at Hampden Park in the first semi-final of the 2024/25 Scottish League Cup, with a place in the final against either Rangers or Motherwell the prize.

Premiership leaders the Bhoys are 21-time winners of the trophy, the last seven having been paraded around Parkhead since Aberdeen won their sixth and most recent in 2013/14.

Celtic v Aberdeen betting tips and predictions

Celtic & Both Teams to Score - 7/4

Aberdeen continue to pass every challenge asked of them in this phenomenal start to the season under Jimmy Thelin and there is no indication that they will disintegrate at Hampden Park against Celtic.

The Dons have played 16 matches in the league and cup this season, winning 15 of them.

That adds up to them being second in the Premiership, trailing Celtic on goal difference alone and nine points clear of Rangers, who they beat 2-1 on Wednesday.

They have also played the Bhoys in the league already this season, coming from two goals down to draw 2-2.

The truth is that their place in the league table and also in the semi-finals of the League Cup is no fluke.

They haven't actually lost a game since March and that doesn't just include the 2-2 draw at Celtic last month.

It also includes a 2-2 draw with the Bhoys in the semi-finals of last season's Scottish Cup, a match that would go on to finish 3-3 after extra time and a win for Celtic on penalties.

In fact, the last three meetings between these two sides have been draws; the one before that, almost 12 months ago, was a 6-0 win for Celtic. The gap has quite definitely narrowed.

Thelin deserves untold credit for transforming the fortune of a Dons side who couldn't even make the top half last season yet still head for Glasgow as 9/1 underdogs for their biggest game of the season to date.

The reason is reputation as much as anything else - it would be a failure for Celtic if they don't make the final - but also Brendan Rodgers' men are in sublime form.

They have also played 16 matches this season, winning 13 and losing just once, 7-1 at Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League.

Domestically they are unbeaten, have kept three clean sheets on the trot and are boosted by the probable availability of Callum McGregor, Nicolas Kuhn and five-goal Adam Idah.

There's a temptation to bet Celtic by one at 3/1 in the Winning Margin market, though the favs and both teams to score at 7/4 is also worth considering.

No Goal After 80:59 - 5/6

Celtic's matches are averaging 3.2 goals per game in the Premiership this season and Aberdeen's 2.9, so this does look like a fixture full of goals.

But, if last month's meeting between the sides is your yardstick, they won't necessarily come in a late flourish.

When these teams met at Parkhead two weeks ago the match finished 2-2. The last goal, scored by Graeme Shinnie for the Dons, came on the hour.

The two-way Late Goal time market has been set at 80:59, which looks ever so late, even allowing for whatever added time is piled on by referee Kevin Clancy.

Daizen Maeda anytime scorer - 13/8

Japan international Daizen Maeda looks set to be one of Celtic's starters after being handed only a role off the bench in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Dundee.

Maeda is having another solid season with six goals in all competitions.

When Celtic and the Dons drew 2-2 a fortnight ago, he hit the bar with one of 32 shots which the Old Firm side rained down on the underdogs.

The versatile forward will no doubt get chances and looks a fair option at 13/8 to score at any time.

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Celtic v Aberdeen odds

Celtic - 27/100
Draw - 17/4
Aberdeen - 9/1

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.