Scottish Football / Michael Lintorn / 16 March 2012 /

Given their stunning form and formidable Scottish League Cup record, it will be a huge upset if Celtic are denied by frequent final losers Kilmarnock...

Celtic v Kilmarnock, Sunday 15:00, BBC1 Scotland (Sky channel 971, Virgin channel 862), Match odds: Celtic [1.35], Kilmarnock [12.0], The Draw [5.2]

Celtic are [1.17] to leave Hampden Park with the first major trophy of the Scottish season on Sunday and the stats relating to their Scottish League Cup Final against Kilmarnock make it tough to present a case for the outsiders.

Killie have got to the final five times in their history and been beaten on every occasion, the most recent failure coming in 2006-07 when after fighting past four teams to earn the big day out, they were thrashed 5-1 by Hibernian.

By contrast, the past ten instances of an Old Firm side facing anyone besides the other in the final have resulted in the cup staying in Glasgow, the last exception coming when Raith Rovers stunned Celtic in 1994-95.

The Bhoys appear to have learned the lesson of that day though, triumphing without conceding in each of their four finals against all bar Rangers since and firing three in three of those, including one with Kilmarnock in 2001.

Neil Lennon's men are a tempting [2.36] to win to nil once again, while it will be around [10.5] that they replicate the 3-0 margin of success that they have enjoyed three times in the last 12 years.

Current form points in a similar direction, with Celtic undefeated domestically since October 2 and victorious in 21 of their 22 games since November. They have conceded only once in their last eight encounters - an own goal rather typically - shipping just three in 13 outings since Christmas.

Kilmarnock have won a mere one of their last ten and three in 17 in 90 minutes, scoring only twice across their last four fixtures.

Best Bet: Celtic to win to nil @ [2.36]
Other Recommended Bet: Celtic to win 3-0 @ [10.5]

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