Jim Delahunt gives his big Aberdeen vs Celtic Scottish Cup final verdict as he casts his eye over all the weekend action
SHEFFIELD UNITED are 4/6 to be playing Premier League football next season but I'm backing the Blades to beat Sunderland in 90 minutes tomorrow at value odds of 11/8.
The odds-on price for winning the Championship play-off Final at Wembley covers extra-time and penalties if required but Chris Wilder's side finished 14 points better off than the Black Cats and romped their semi-final against Bristol City.
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Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder
Credit: Reuters
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His side take on Jobe Bellingham and Co on Sunday
Credit: PA
United won 3-0 home and away against the in-form Robins to head for Wembley after a 6-0 aggregate scoreline and they take on a Sunderland side which had to work hard to see off Frank Lampard's Coventry in extra-time.
The two league games between the pair went with home advantage by a single goal margin each time but Sheffield United came through a quiet spell to finish the season strongly as Sunderland only managed 3 goals in their last 8 league games.
The Blades were right in contention for automatic promotion before class acts Leeds and Burnley pulled 10 points clear but that big margin back to 4th placed Sunderland tells its own story and I reckon they should be sorter than 11/8.
CRYSTAL PALACE landed last week's headline bet by winning the FA Cup in 90 minutes at 16/5 but I can't be at all optimistic about Aberdeen's chances of causing an upset at Hampden against treble-chasing and long odds-on favourites Celtic.
The Dons have shipped 12 goals in losing their last 4 league games and I'm struggling to give them a goal in a match Celtic should win comfortably at a general 1/3.
I tipped WIMBLEDON to win their play-off semi-final second leg at 13/10 here last Saturday and I'm happy to spin the Acca out until Monday's League Two Final at Wembley for Johnnie Jackson's players to beat Wallsall at 17/10.
Jackson's players had the best defensive record in the 4th tier last season and won both legs of their semi-final 1-0 and while the Saddlers have rallied well to make the Final after a near-collapse of their promotion push in the final quarter, Monday's encounter could be one game too many.
Wallsall were cruising at the top of League Two before they scrambled home in 4th behind Doncaster, Port Vale and Bradford and while Wimbledon were 4 points further back, it's the London side which look to have the momentum despite Walsall seeing off Chesterfield 4-1.
Cautious punters can back Wimbledon to qualify anytime at 8/11 but I've been impressed with the way they've finished the season and 90 minutes looks the way to go.
Sunday's League One Final sees Leyton Orient go off the biggest priced of the 6 clubs gracing Wembley this weekend at 5/2 and I'm right behind 6/5 favourites CHARLTON to see off their London rivals in regulation time.
The 1pm kick-off pits 4th against 6th in the table last season but there was only a 7 points gap between the two clubs and Orient did finish the season in good style before getting past Stockport County on penalties to reach the Wembley showpiece.
EVERTON justified being made the Sunday banker last week by beating Fulham at 2/5 but I'll be firmly against Davie Moyes' Toffees when the travel to face NEWCASTLE Sunday.
The Magpies need the 1/3 win to stop Champions League qualification depending on other results while Chelsea's trip to NOTTINGHAM FOREST should have ASTON VILLA fully motivated to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford at 7/10.
Villa have won 9 of their last 11 including their last 3 since losing to eventual cup winners Palace at Wembley while Forest can beat Chelsea at 2/1 and see how if other results go their way.
Saturday SINGLE
CRYSTAL PALACE made it back to back wins for the bet at 16/5 last week and I'm backing NOTTINGHAM FOREST to make it 3 in a row Sunday at 2/1.
Weekend ACCA
Five games between tomorrow and Monday with all 5 teams winning paying out at over 18/1 with most firms.
Sheffield Utd 11/8
Celtic 1/3
Aston Villa 7/10
Newcastle 1/3
Wimbledon 17/10
ABERDEEN V CELTIC 3pm BBC1
Scotland
The Dons arrive in Glasgow as massive underdogs at 7/1 to win in 90 minutes but they're as short as 4/1 to lift the trophy if they can take the league champions to extra-time.
Brendan Rogers' side couldn't muster the fire-power to beat St Mirren last weekend but the treble-seeking boss has been sorting out his Hampden staring XI over the past few matches and they've beaten Jimmy Thelin's side by margins of 4,4 1 and 6 in their last 4 meetings.
Aberdeen's ray of hope has to come from a 2-2 draw in Glasgow back in October but they're back in the same city after losing 4 in a row since a 1-0 win over Hibs and Celtic can win this to NIL at a realistic 5/4.
SHEFFIELD UNITED V SUNDERLAND 3pm
Sky Sports
The Blades take on the Black Cats at Wembley for a place in the Premier League this afternoon and I've headlined Chris Wilder's side to get the job done in 90 minutes after their semi-final demolition of Bristol City.
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Wembley is the venue for this one
Credit: PA
Sunderland were almost pushed to penalties by Coventry in their semi-final and while Regis Le Bris' players picked up well after a shaky end to the season, Sheffield United look the better side on current form.
Stats show that United haven't won at Wembley since 1925 and have LOST all 4 previous play-offs without scoring but anyone scared of ghosts wouldn't have backed Newcastle or Crystal Palace this season and the Blades can exorcise another one.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST V
CHELSEA Sunday 4pm
Sky Sports
Forest host the Blues in the clubs' final match of the season to decide and while Chelsea will make the Champions League with a win at 6/5, I'm backing Forest for all 3 points at 2/1.
The Tricky Trees have had a magnificent season despite eventual FA Cup disappointment and Nuno Espirito Santo can mastermind a win over Enzo Maresco's side and wait for results to trickle through from Old Trafford and Newcastle.
Forest have gone 3 unbeaten since back to back cup and league losses to Manchester City and Brentford while Chelsea haven't flown high on the road with a 7-4-7 record and look vulnerable at a shortish 6/5.
ROSS COUNTY V
LIVINGSTON Monday 8pm
Sky Sports
Thursday's first leg looked in the bag for Livingston before County's late penalty and it's definitely advantage to the Staggies after that 1-1 draw at Almondvale.
Ronan Hale's spot-kick equaliser sees County start Monday's return leg as 6/4 favourites to retain their Premiership status with a win in 90 minutes but I'm going to side with Davie Martindale's players to regain the advantage and win promotion with 90 minutes success at 17/10.
Livi had won 8 of their last 10 games before Thursday night with County toiling without a win in NINE and while the Staggies have escaped relegation the last twice against Raith and Partick, the Lions can bounce back to the top tier after just one season.
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