Celtic vs Dunfermline Prediction: Lennon’s Pars handed harsh lesson at Hampden

Celtic secured a fifth consecutive Scottish Premiership title in the most dramatic circumstances last weekend, coming from behind to beat leaders Hearts 3-1 thanks to two late goals. The Hoops will be looking to do the double this Saturday (15:00 BST, BBC iPlayer) when they take on second-tier side Dunfermline Athletic, who are led by former Bhoys boss Neil Lennon, in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park.

Read on for my Celtic vs Dunfermline predictions, supported by the latest team news and match odds, as two-time winners Dunfermline, who lifted their last Scottish Cup trophy in 1968, look to upset the 42-time record champions, who won back-to-back finals in 2023 and 2024 before relinquishing their crown to Aberdeen last year.

Head-to-head record

Celtic have prevailed in all five previous meetings, the latest a 2-1 extra-time success in the Scottish League Cup in August 2019.

Celtic vs Dunfermline Odds

Unsurprisingly, Celtic are highly fancied to get the job done in regulation time on Saturday, with 2/9 odds implying an 81.8% probability of success, while Dunfermline are 11/1, or an 8.3% chance, to win in 90 minutes.

The draw, which would send the tie to extra-time in Glasgow, is priced at 11/2.

Celtic Penalty Scored - Yes @ 10/3

Celtic have scored penalties in back-to-back games, with Kelechi Iheanacho dispatching an injury-time spot-kick in a 3-2 victory at Motherwell on 13 May before Arne Engels put one away from 12 yards against Hearts three days later.

Dunfermline, meanwhile, conceded a penalty against Arbroath in the second leg of their Premiership play-off quarter-final on 8 May, although they were indebted to Aaron Muirhead's miss in a goalless draw.

It could be a long old day for the Dunfermline players, with Celtic expected to dominate possession, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a weary defender hang out a leg and hand the Hoops a presentable opportunity from 12 yards.

Anytime Goalscorer - Daizen Maeda (CEL) @ 5/6

Daizen Maeda has been clutch for Celtic at the back end of the season, scoring in their last six games, netting eight goals in that period.

The 28-year-old, who was named in Japan's World Cup squad earlier this week, will be looking to end the domestic campaign on a high this weekend, and I'm backing him to fire in an eighth consecutive appearance, with Martin O'Neill's side expected to make light work of their Championship opponents.