Celtic go into the Scottish FA Cup final with the kind of form that usually settles the pre-match argument. They have won eight straight games, and their league title was sealed with a 98th-minute goal from Callum Osmand after an 87th-minute winner had already looked enough. Dunfermline have won just one of their last five matches.
Why Celtic look so strong
The form lines are stark. Celtic have won their last five league matches and have eight straight wins in all competitions, while Dunfermline's recent run is far less convincing. That is before you get to the broader league record, where Celtic finished with 26 wins, 4 draws and 8 defeats in the Premiership championship round table.
Sports Mole's preview is blunt about the gap, saying: "Dunfermline Athletic will be hoping to cause an upset, but Celtic arrive into the final in great form and confidence, and we believe the Bhoys' quality will prove too much for the Pars to handle."
That feels about right. Finals can always throw up noise, but Celtic have earned the status of heavy favourites by doing the hard part first, winning week after week and carrying that momentum to Hampden.
Neil Lennon adds the subplot, not the balance
The extra layer is Neil Lennon, who now manages Dunfermline against the club where he won numerous honours as a player and as a manager. It is a neat storyline, and it gives the final a bit more edge than the form table alone would suggest.
Even so, the football case still points one way. Sports Mole's predicted scoreline is "Celtic 2-0 Dunfermline Athletic", and that is a fair reflection of the gap the preview source lays out. Dunfermline can lean on the occasion and the familiarity of Lennon on the touchline, but Celtic's title-winning finish and current run make them the team to back.
If the final follows the recent evidence, Celtic should have too much for Dunfermline and can finish the domestic season with another trophy.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →
