Scottish Cup betting tips: Old Firm absent from semi-finals
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Previews and Odds for the semi-finals
The semi-finals of the Scottish Cup take place this weekend and the absence of both Old Firm clubs mean all four teams still standing have good reason to think they can lift the trophy.
Hibernian and St Johnstone are the joint-favourites in the outright Scottish Cup odds at 7/4, with Dundee United available at 11/4 and St Mirren the outsiders at 4/1.
Here we preview both semi-finals to help punters with their Scottish Cup betting tips.
Dundee United v Hibernian (Sat, 16:00)
United clinched a first semi-final appearance in the competition since 2016 with a stunning 3-0 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
The Tayside club were good value for a 2-0 half-time lead through goals from on-loan Reading striker Marc McNulty and defender Ryan Edwards, before McNulty added a third after the break.
Hibs also looked to be easing through when they went 2-0 up against Motherwell with 10 minutes to go but they were pegged back to 2-2 and eventually edged a penalty shoot-out.
It is the fourth consecutive season that they have reached the last four and they are 5/6 to win the semi-final in 90 minutes, with United 17/5 while 5/2 is on offer for the match to go to extra time.
Hibs have won two of the three league meetings this season and would have had a clean sweep if it had not been for a last-gasp equaliser by United at Easter Road in December.
United have failed to beat Hibs in their last seven attempts and have suffered back-to-back league defeats against Kilmarnock (3-0) and Ross County (2-0) either side of the quarter-final win.
Hibs lost 1-0 at home to St Johnstone last weekend but each of their previous five matches in all competitions produced at least three goals and over 2.5 goals is available at 19/20 on Saturday.
St Mirren v St Johnstone (Sun, 14:15)
St Johnstone were the surprise conquerors of champions Rangers in the last round and will be keen to make the most of this opportunity.
They became the first Scottish team to triumph at Ibrox this season thanks to the heroics of Zander Clark.
Not content with a string of vital saves during 90 minutes and extra time, the big goalkeeper came up with an astonishing assist for Chris Kane’s 122nd-minute equaliser and then made two more stops in the penalty shoot-out.
They are bidding for their second trophy of the season, having already won the Scottish League Cup in February after beating Livingston in the final, and clearly have the nerve for the big occasions.
Saints are 6/4 to win in 90 minutes and have already beaten St Mirren 1-0 on two occasions this season. Five of their last six wins in all competitions have also been 1-0 and can be backed here at 11/2.
St Mirren twice came from behind to win 3-2 at home in December though and also won their semi-final on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Kilmarnock.
Both teams to score is an option at evens while St Mirren are 2/1 to win in 90 minutes.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
