Scottish Cup final: Bookies prepare for bumper day

THE William Hill Scottish Cup reaches its climax today and the tournament sponsors make Hearts the favourites to lift the trophy in a match that is expected to attract up to £2 million turnover industry wide.

Hearts are 4-7 to win the tournament outright and 6-5 to do so in 90 minutes. Hibs are 11-8 to win the trophy and 2-1 to do so in 90 minutes, with the draw also 2-1. Of the £2 million expected to be wagered, Hills predict that three-quarters of that will be from north of the border as Scottish football fans embrace the last match of the season.

“We have not seen an all- Edinburgh final for over 100 years and we think that the absence of the Old Firm will pique everybody’s interest just that little bit more,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly.

With so much riding on the game, the match will undoubtedly be tense and most likely very close and Hills are offering 6-1 that the match goes to penalties, while both sides are 10-1 to win the match in that way. Given that this is the first Edinburgh derby in the final since 1896, it could well be a fiery affair and it is just 2-1 for a red card to be shown during the game.

Other novelty beats include:

EDINBURGH ROCK

Hibs to keep a clean sheet 11-5; Hearts to keep a clean sheet 6-5.

BLACK DAY

Ian Black to be sent off 6-1.

NUMBER NINETEEN

Rudi Skacel wears 19, the game is on the 19th and a hat-trick will put him on 19 goals this season. Skacel to score a hat-trick 40-1.

O’BOY O’BOY

O’Connor and O’Donovan both to score 16-1.

110 YEAR WAIT

Its been 110 years since Hibernian last won the cup. Hibernian to score in the 110th minute 110-1.