Scottish Cup
2009-04-25 - Glasgow Rangers vs St Mirren
A Sports Betting Pick by Stephen
Football: Scotland, Scottish Cup 2009
Saturday, 25th April 2009 - Kickoff 12:15
RANGERS
After losing the League Cup Final to arch rivals Celtic, Rangers will be eager to win the Scottish Cup and are hot favourites to do so. Walter Smith's side have been on good form of late and are now only 1 point behind Celtic in the SPL. Rangers who are the holders of the Cup, were made to work for the points last week at Hibs and showed good character to win it 3-2 with several first team regulars injured. Since their defeat to Inverness last months they have won 4 out of 5 games with just the 1 draw at home to Hearts.
Despite having several injuries and the exclusion of Barry Ferguson and Allan Mcgregor, some of Walter Smith's replacements have more than made a stake for a spot in the first eleven. Striker Andrius Velicka has scored 2 goals in 2 games in his rare starts and full back Steven Whittaker scored last week against his former club. Rangers will be expected to win this game but they know it wont be easy. The Paisley side have beaten them this season in the SPL and Rangers only narrowly beat them in the 2 other ties.
Barry Ferguson got a calf injury on his Rangers return during the week in the reserves and misses the rest of the season. They are also likely to be without DeMarcus Beasley, Kirk Broadfoot, Kyle Lafferty and long term injury victim Kevin Thomson.
ST MIRREN
While their opponents Rangers are regular visitors to Hampden Park for Cup Final days out, St Mirren have not reached the Cup Final since 1987 when they beat Dundee United 4-3 aet. They know they come into this Semi Final as underdogs but Rangers can be guaranteed that they are in for a tough afternoon. Semi Final apperances are rare for the Buddies and everyone of their players will be sure to give their all.
Last week St Mirren went to Motherwell and surprised their hosts by winning 2-0 which put them 6 points clear of bottom side Falkirk. This will be a huge confidence boost for them as they face a Rangers side that they have already beaten this season. However it was their first SPL win in 13 games but their performances have merited better. They also beat Celtic in the Quarter Final and not many sides can say they have completed a double of beating both Old Firm sides in one season.
Captain John Potter returns from suspension while the Buddies could be without Billy Mehmet, Steven Robb, Stephen O Donnell, Franco Miranda, Chris Smith and Tom Brighton all through injury.
HEAD TO HEAD
This season
St Mirren 1-0 Rangers
Rangers 2-1 St Mirren
St Mirren 1-2 Rangers
2007/08
Rangers 2-0 St Mirren
St Mirren 0-3 Rangers
Rangers 4-0 St Mirren
The BETTING VERDICT
There's no doubt Rangers are clear favourites for this one and I expect them to win it, but not without a fight and St Mirren can make sure that it will be close.
Rangers have been finding the net very well in recent weeks, while St Mirren have a Striker in form in Andy Dorman and plenty of experience in Craig Dargo and Jim Hamilton.
With that in mind I like the bet of OVER 2.5 GOALS AT 4/5.
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take OVER 2.5 GOALS
