Sunday’s football tips: St Mirren striker Mandron 10/1 to give Nancy another sore head at Celtic

Fahad Umar
December 13, 2025
1:38 pm

It’s League Cup Final day in Scotland and St Mirren will fancy their chances of piling the pain on new Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy at Hampden.

The Frenchman has lost his first two games to Hearts and Roma so the pressure is on to deliver some silverware.

The Hoops had a demoralising 90 minutes against the Serie A side on Thursday night while Saints have enjoyed a free week to prepare so they’ll never get a better chance to shock one of the big two in a cup final.

St Mirren vs Celtic top betting tips

I’m surprised to see St Mirren as big as 7/2 with SkyBet to lift the trophy, given Celtic have found it hard to adapt to Nancy’s new 3-4-3 formation.

Stephen Robinson set up to frustrate the Hoops in the previous two meetings this term and it worked to a certain extent with the champions needing late winners to salvage a couple of 1-0 wins.

But I’ve a feeling he will be a bit more adventurous at Hampden after watching Roma’s relentless high press force Nancy’s side into so many mistakes inside their own half.

That could make St Mirren’s midfielders good candidates for a card and the combative Keanu Baccus is 2/1 at McBookie to go into the book.

Celtic have conceded twice from corners in Nancy’s first two games so backing towering Saints striker Mikael Mandron to score a header is a decent long-odds punt at 10/1 with Bet365.

Think you’ve found odds that look too good to be true? Explore our Value Betting guide and learn when a price is genuinely favourable.

Sunderland vs Newcastle United

The Stadium of Light will be bouncing today as Sunderland host Newcastle in their first Premier League derby for nine years.

These sides met in the FA Cup two seasons ago and the Magpies strolled to a 3-0 victory on enemy turf.

But the Black Cats were in the Championship at the time and they now find themselves sitting above Newcastle in the Premier League table.

Eddie Howe’s men are also coming off the back of a midweek Champions League game so the home win could offer some value at 12/5 with BetVictor.

Going for cards and fouls is always the best option in a derby though and backing a sending-off pays 3/1 at Bet365.

Tackles will be flying in so I’m going for a fouls bet builder. Backing Dan Burn, Noah Sadiki and Bruno Guimaraes to each commit over 1.5 fouls pays 2/1 at Bet365.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City

There’s a repeat of the FA Cup Final at Selhurst Park this afternoon as Crystal Palace look to put a dent in Manchester City’s title bid.

The Eagles memorably upset Pep Guardiola’s side at Wembley back in May and will fancy their chances again.

But playing on Thursday night in Europe puts Palace at a disadvantage, although City also had a tough midweek assignment away to Real Madrid.

City have conceded seven times across their last four games so we should see goals at both ends. Combining BTTS with over 2.5 goals pays evens at Betfred.

Jean-Philippe Mateta will be a big threat up top for the Eagles and he’s a decent 6/5 to score or assist at Bet365.