Will Celtic or Aberdeen win? Football Scotland writers deliver Premier Sports Cup predictions

It's an even more highly anticipated showdown than usual this year as Celtic take on Aberdeen in the League Cup semi-finals at Hampden on Saturday evening - with both teams remaining unbeaten on domestic soil so far this term.

The Hoops went into the season as favourites to win the Scottish Premiership title, with Rangers the side who fans would have thought to be challenging them this season - but a resurgent Aberdeen side have certainly caused problems for Brendan Rodgers in the current campaign. With both teams boasting nine wins and one draw from their ten games in the league, it's a top-two showdown at the national stadium and intrigue has been built up higher than ever.

The two have met already this season, with the Dandy Dons having come back from 2-0 down to claim a memorable comeback at Parkhead - and they'll be looking to go one better in Glasgow this time around. Here, Football Scotland's writers deliver their score predictions.

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Ryan McDonald

These teams can't be separated at the top of the league but something has got to give on Saturday. And if last season's Hampden six-goal classic is anything to go by, we're in for another thriller.

It's been almost a year since Brendan Rodgers last defeated the Dons over 90 minutes, with the last three meetings ending in draws in normal time. Celts, of course, had to rely on a nervy penalty shoot-out win on their way to Scottish Cup glory last term and more drama could lie in store this weekend.

Aberdeen are the real deal and Celtic will have to be at their best to book their place in the showpiece final. It should be a blockbuster occasion but I think the Parkhead men will just edge it.

Prediction: Celtic 3-2 Aberdeen

Will Lancaster

You do begin to wonder when the brittle-boned Aberdeen bubble will burst - but they're flying high and you simply can't rule out any 'upset' at Hampden.

The two met last season at the national ground and it took Celtic a full 120 minutes plus penalties to beat Jimmy Thelin's side in the Scottish Cup semi-final - and that was when the Swede was just getting started at the Pittodrie helm.

That being said, Celtic's record at Hampden is incredible. The last time they lost a fixture there was the 2-1 defeat to Rangers in April 2022 - whilst their record at Hampden since their penalty shootout loss to the Light Blues in 2016 is 24 wins from 25 games.

It should be enough to carry them over the line, but it will be a huge challenge with a top travelling support from the Dons vying to continue their fairytale start to the season.

Prediction: Celtic 2-1 Aberdeen

Jack Herrall

There’s quite the rivalry burgeoning here with these sides given their respective domestic starts.

Jimmy Thelin is as tactically astute as they come and will have a rigid, disciplined gameplan in place to frustrate Celtic and it’ll work - for a while.

However, if there’s one thing Brendan Rodgers knows how to do, it’s win at Hampden. Their squad depth will be too much for Aberdeen and they’ll end up running away with it in extra time.

Hopefully, we get a close, end-to-end game to make it a cracking watch.

Prediction: Celtic 3-1 Aberdeen (AET)