CUP fever returns this weekend as four teams battle it out at Hampden Park for a place in the Betfred Cup final. 

Hibernian face Celtic on Saturday before Rangers take on Motherwell a day later and our writers are on hand to give their verdict on how events will unfold.

For a full preview of the two games, download and stream the latest Herald Sport podcast featuring Scott Mullen, Stewart Weir, Stewart Fisher, Christopher Jack and special guest Tam McManus.

Find it on Podbean and iTunes or download using the link below.

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SCOTT MULLEN

Hibernian 1 Celtic 2 (AET)

Are Celtic at their free-flowing best right now? No.

Even take away the bruising mauling in Munich during the week, their domestic performances, while still remaining undefeated speak of a team grinding out results rather than blowing teams away. On the back of blowing teams away in September, the month was ended with a 2-2 draw at home to Hibs before squeaking by Dundee last week. That will give Neil Lennon’s team hope and fear ahead of this one.

Both are excellent teams on the day, but Celtic’s ability to win at all costs is something Hibs simply don’t have about them (they’ve only won two of their last eight games). Making it three from nine in this arena is a tough ask.

Rangers 1 Motherwell 3

Some may see this is as a surprise or a shock, but it simply isn’t.

Motherwell have been this season’s surprise package in their own right, but Rangers should know what they are in for. As well as winning 11 out of their 15 matches this season, there is a doggedness in the middle of this Well midfield that will cause Pedro Caixinha’s men all sorts of problems on a sprawling Hampden pitch. At the back they have kept more clean sheets than Rangers, while going forward the front pairing of Louis Moult and Ryan Bowman are a potent force. Especially Moult, who outwith Celtic is the best striker in the country.

Rangers have improved since they beat Motherwell 2-1 on the opening day of the season. But tellingly so have their opponents, who I reckon could send their 9000 fans home happy.

STEWART WEIR

Hibernian 0 Celtic 2 (AET)

Hibs will fancy their chances against Celtic based on their visit to Parkhead last month, when they probably should have won, and given that Celtic have always suffered something of a Champions League hangover after their travels.

I think Hibs could push Celtic, but I still take Brendan Rodgers side to win after extra-time 2-0.

Rangers 1 Motherwell 0

By the same token Motherwell have lost too many big games to Rangers over the years and I’d make them joint favourites for this one.

There is so much pressure on Pedro Caixinha to reach a final let alone win a cup. Again, extra-time, maybe penalties but Rangers to win, 1-0.

STEWART FISHER

Hibernian 1 Celtic 2

The Parkhead side will be playing on fumes, with only one day's training to get their mauling in Munich out of their heads. Hibs know their way around Hampden and will be bolstered by a 2-2 draw at Celtic Park as recently as the start of next month, while Celtic also have issues at the back.

The end result should be a match which puts that epic 59-match unbeaten domestic run in as much jeopardy as any, but the likes of Callum McGregor, James Forrest, Tom Rogic and Moussa Dembele are still fresh so I'm not going to bet against Celtic.

Rangers 0 Motherwell 1

The sponsors could hardly have hand-picked these ties better and I expect the Fir Park side to go the distance against a Rangers team who could be vulnerable.

On balance the Ibrox side should go into the match as slight favourites but this Motherwell team play with attitude and something tells me they might just nick it. The Ibrox side will be doing well if they can keep Louis Moult off the scoresheet. 

CHRISTOPHER JACK

Hibernian 1 Celtic 2

Celtic certainly don’t have a point to prove at Hampden but they will want to react in the right way after their Champions League humbling against Bayern Munich in midweek.

And a win over Neil Lennon’s side to book their place in the Betfred Cup final would be the ideal way to bounce back as they return to domestic action.

Hibs will fancy their chances, and so they should after winning at Ibrox and drawing at Parkhead this term. But Celtic are still the best side in the country by some distance and will prove it once again on Saturday.

Rangers 2 Motherwell 1

Pedro Caixinha has yet to win three games on the spin as Gers boss and that is a record that must be broken on Sunday if he is to ease the pressure on his shoulders.

A Graham Dorrans double clinched a win for Rangers on the opening day of the campaign and Caixinha’s side have improved both individually and collectively since then.

Motherwell may be in decent form, but it would still be a shock if the Steelmen were to emerge victorious here. It will be tight, but Rangers should sneak it.

GRAEME MCGARRY

Hibernian 2 Celtic 3

I fancy that both semi-finals this weekend will be crackers with plenty of goals, and I can see a thriller first up on Saturday.

It seems like the perfect storm for an upset. Celtic are coming off the back of a punishing Champions League night where they were given a bit of a chasing, with manager Brendan Rodgers complaining about the scheduling of the game.

But while the Hoops have injury problems at the back and maybe haven’t been at their best of late, I still fancy that they will find a way to overcome a Hibs side who will give it everything.

The Edinburgh side fancy that they have the measure of the champions, as evidenced in the 2-2 draw at Celtic Park recently, but the greater quality of the Hoops will see them over the line.

Rangers 2 Motherwell 2 (Rangers to win on penalties)

This match could easily go either way, with both teams displaying almost the same form over the games that have passed since their last meeting on the opening day at Fir Park.

Rangers edged that one, but Motherwell have clawed two of those three points back on them, and have improved from that day.

Pedro Caixinha will not look to take Motherwell on at their own physical game, but as Aberdeen found in the last round, such a philosophy can be a risky one against Stephen Robinson’s highly-motivated side.

I fancy the game to go all the way to penalties, and Rangers to break Motherwell hearts by scraping through

ALASDAIR MACKENZIE

Hibernian 1 Celtic 3

Hibs caused something of an upset at Celtic Park three weeks ago and could ask even more questions of Brendan Rodgers’ side at Hampden on Saturday. 

But with fire in their bellies after the Bayern battering, an imperious unbeaten run to protect and a dazzling array of attacking options, the champions remain heavy favourites to continue their march towards defending the trophy.

Rangers 1 Motherwell 2 (AET)

Rangers’ clash with Motherwell is an intriguing tie, with the two sides going toe to toe in the Premiership this season since the Light Blues' opening day victory at Fir Park.

It should be an evenly-matched encounter, but a fired-up and in-form Steelmen side could just edge it in extra time to continue their impressive start to the campaign.