Scottish Cup Predictions

Weekly Scottish Cup Betting Tips

Below you’ll find our weekly Scottish Cup tips across the most popular football betting markets, including Correct Score, Both Teams to Score (BTTS), Over/Under 2.5 Goals, Total Shots on Target, and Match Result.

Scottish Cup Outrights Tips for 2025/2026 Season

Outright betting in the Scottish Cup focuses on long-term outcomes throughout Scotland’s oldest football competition. The most followed outright markets for the Scottish Cup include To Win the Trophy and To Reach the Semi-Finals. These season-long bets reward analysis of squad depth, tactical balance, and each club’s historical performance in knockout football.

Who is most likely to win the Scottish Cup this season?

Priced at 7/4 (36%), Celtic are the leading favourites to win the Scottish Cup in 2025/26, driven by their squad depth and the steady leadership of Brendan Rodgers. Celtic’s ability to rotate without losing quality was on display late in the 2024/25 Scottish Premiership, when a mixed lineup thrashed Aberdeen 5–1 on 14 May as the club closed in on another league title. Rodgers’ tactical discipline and record in domestic cup competitions provide further assurance, with his Celtic sides consistently combining control and attacking intensity in knockout fixtures. With continuity, balance, and a proven winning manager, Celtic are the best-equipped team to lift the Scottish Cup this season.

Which teams are most likely to reach the semi-finals in the Scottish Cup this season?

The four clubs most likely to reach the Scottish Cup semi-finals in 2025/26 are Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, and Hibernian. All four clubs combine recent cup pedigree, ambitious recruitment, and tactical frameworks suited to knockout football.

More information about the 4 leading Scottish Cup semi-final candidates is given below.

• Celtic. Celtic are well-positioned to reach the Scottish Cup semi-finals thanks to their squad depth and the stability of Brendan Rodgers’ management. Their ability to rotate while maintaining quality is a key advantage in congested cup schedules, and Rodgers’ experience in high-pressure fixtures gives them a tactical edge.
• Rangers. Rangers are one of the teams most likely to reach the Scottish Cup semi-finals thanks to their strong ambitions in domestic cups and their summer reinforcements. Signings like Bojan Miovski, Óscar Cortés, Youssef Chermiti, and Djeidi Gassama give Rangers attacking variety and depth, allowing them to field competitive lineups across multiple fronts.
• Hearts. Hearts are well-positioned to reach the Scottish Cup semi-finals thanks to their excellent record in Scottish Cup home matches and their rich cup history. With eight Scottish Cup titles to their name, Hearts know what it takes to progress, especially when playing at Tynecastle, where they often thrive under pressure.
• Hibernian. Hibernian are among the most credible Scottish Cup semi-final contenders due to key additions like Thibault Klidje and the steady leadership of David Gray. Their blend of youth and experience gives them balance, and their tactical setup often makes them resilient in knockout settings.

Scottish Cup Betting Stats and Data

Our Scottish Cup betting tips are built on several years of detailed statistical analysis from Scotland’s national knockout competition. This research examines patterns in home and away wins, average goals per match, clean sheet frequency, and Both Teams to Score outcomes across different stages of the Scottish Cup tournament. By focusing on long-term performance data rather than short-term results, our predictions for football offer bettors a reliable, data-driven framework for spotting value throughout the Scottish Cup season.

Scottish Cup Stats (2025/2026)

Scottish Cup Fixtures

What are Scottish Cup Predictions?

Scottish Cup predictions are data-based assessments of the most likely outcomes throughout Scotland’s oldest and most prestigious football tournament. These forecasts include long-term markets such as potential winners and semi-finalists, as well as individual match bets like Correct Score, Clean Sheets, and Over/Under goals. By combining advanced statistical modelling with team form and tactical evaluation, our Scottish Cup predictions give football bettors deeper insight and greater consistency across every round of the competition.

How are Scottish Cup Predictions determined?

Our analysts produce accurate Scottish Cup predictions through a structured process that merges statistical analysis, team evaluation, and betting market evaluation. This method accounts for the specific character of Scotland’s knockout competition, where single-leg ties, weather conditions, and lower-league participation often create unpredictable outcomes.

The three main steps behind our Scottish Cup forecasts are as follows.

• Evaluating team form and historical cup performance
• Assessing rotation, motivation, and competition focus
• Comparing insights with bookmaker odds

1. Evaluating team form and historical cup performance. The first step in producing reliable Scottish Cup predictions involves studying how teams perform in knockout settings, particularly against lower-division opposition. Metrics such as goals per game, clean sheet rates, and away performance in recent Scottish Cup editions help identify trends and consistent performers.
2. Assessing rotation, motivation, and competition focus. Once team form and patterns have been reviewed, the second step in creating Scottish Cup forecasts analyses how clubs manage squad rotation and motivation levels across different rounds. Larger clubs like Celtic sometimes rest key players early, while ambitious sides such as Hearts often target the Scottish Cup as a route to silverware or Europe. Understanding each team’s priorities is crucial to forecasting deep runs and potential surprises.
3. Comparing insights with bookmaker odds. The final step in shaping accurate Scottish Cup predictions aligns analytical findings with betting market data to uncover value. Given the competition’s volatility and frequent upsets, odds on favourites are often inflated. Tracking market movement alongside team performance allows our analysts to identify underpriced outcomes and provide Scottish Cup betting advice grounded in both data and probability.

When are Scottish Cup Predictions released?

Scottish Cup predictions are released every Tuesday at 1:00 PM London Time, ahead of the weekend fixtures. Each Scottish Cup forecast includes detailed team news, head-to-head records, and recent form to ensure accuracy and relevance. Our analysts prioritise speed and reliability, updating their predictions regularly so readers always have access to the latest betting insights for the Scottish Cup.

What are the most appealing Betting Markets to bet on for the Scottish Cup?

The three most appealing betting markets in the Scottish Cup are Home Wins, Over 2.5 Goals, and Both Teams to Score (BTTS). These markets reflect consistent trends observed over the past five seasons, showing how Scotland’s top knockout competition delivers attacking football and an increasing home advantage.

More information about the 3 best betting markets for the Scottish Cup is given below.

• Home Wins. Home Wins is one of the most appealing markets for Scottish Cup bettors due to the clear shift from away dominance to home advantage in recent years. In 2020/21, away wins led with 48% compared to 40% for home teams, but that balance reversed by 2024/25, with home victories climbing to 47% and away wins dropping to 44%. This turnaround reflects improved squad quality, pitch standards, and reduced travel fatigue, making home wins one of the safest long-term markets in Scottish Cup betting.
• Over 2.5 Goals. Over 2.5 Goals is one of the most profitable Scottish Cup markets due to the competition’s consistently high goal average. Across the last five seasons, matches have averaged around 3.5 goals per game, with Over 2.5 landing in roughly 70% to 80% of fixtures. The knockout nature of the tournament pushes teams to attack rather than defend, and mismatches between divisions often lead to goal-heavy results that reward this market.
• Both Teams to Score (BTTS). Both Teams to Score remains one of the most balanced markets for Scottish Cup punters, driven by the tournament’s unpredictable and attacking style. BTTS has landed between 44% and 61% over the past five seasons, showing how even lower-tier clubs often find the net in single-leg ties. These open, end-to-end encounters make BTTS a valuable market for bettors seeking consistency and excitement across different rounds.

The table below summarises the key Scottish Cup outcomes from the past five seasons across these markets.

Scottish Cup Season Guide

The 2025/26 Scottish Cup marks the 141st edition of Scotland’s oldest and most prestigious football competition. Organised by the Scottish Football Association (SFA), the Scottish Cup competition features 132 clubs from across the Scottish football pyramid, ranging from Premiership sides to non-league teams. The competition winners qualify for the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League and join the 2026 Scottish League Cup winners and Premiership champions in the Scottish Super Cup. Aberdeen enter the Scottish Cup as defending champions after defeating Celtic in the 2025 final.

What Is the Format of the Scottish Cup 2025/26 Season?

The Scottish Cup follows a traditional knockout format, beginning with two preliminary rounds before the entry of professional league teams. The Scottish Cup competition starts with 132 clubs, narrowing through single-leg fixtures where lower-tier clubs host whenever possible. League Two sides enter in the second round, League One and Championship clubs in the third, and sides from the Scottish Premiership enter in the fourth. All Scottish Cup matches are single-leg ties, with extra time and penalties used to decide winners. This inclusive structure ensures representation from every level of Scottish football, creating frequent opportunities for upsets.

What are the Start & End Dates for the Scottish Cup 2025/26?

The 2025/26 Scottish Cup begins on 9 August 2025 with the first preliminary round and concludes with the final on 23 May 2026 at Hampden Park, Glasgow. The second preliminary round follows on 30 August, the first round on 27 September, and the fourth round (when Premiership teams join) on 17 January 2026. The Scottish Cup semi-finals are scheduled for 18–19 April, leading to the final five weeks later. This season’s calendar was confirmed by the SFA on 22 July 2025.

How are Scottish Cup Fixtures built up?

Scottish Cup fixtures are built up by the Scottish Football Association (SFA) using regional and divisional criteria in the early stages to reduce travel and maintain competitive balance. Lower-league and non-league clubs often receive home advantage in initial rounds, promoting inclusivity and increasing the chances of upsets. From the fourth round onward, Scottish Cup fixtures are determined by an open draw, while the semi-finals and final are played at neutral venues, maintaining the tradition of staging major matches at Hampden Park.

Related Leagues We Cover

Stay on top of Europe’s biggest football competitions with our expert predictions for other leagues and tournaments including the ones below.

• Scottish Premiership Predictions. Our Scottish Premiership predictions analyse the nation’s top clubs with insights into form, fixtures, and title races.
• Scottish League Cup Predictions. Scottish League Cup forecasts follow every stage of the tournament, highlighting favourites and potential upsets.
• FA Cup League Predictions. Our FA Cup Predictions coverage explores one of Europe’s most exciting national cup tournaments, tracking title contenders and emerging talents.
• Premier League Predictions. Premier League forecasts explore England’s top sides with weekly data-driven insights.
• Europa League Predictions. Our Europa League predictions feature top European clubs in pursuit of continental success.