Betfred Scottish League Cup football tips, preview, team news

3pm Saturday

Elgin have started the new campaign encouragingly and they can grab a home win in the Betfred Cup against Stirling Albion.

The Borough Briggs outfit have played two Ladbrokes Championship clubs in the competition in Arbroath and Alloa both away from home.

They lost out to a last-minute goal at Gayfield and held Alloa to a 3-3 draw on Tuesday before winning on penalties.

They should be brimming with confidence when they host their first home game of the season against Stirling.

Albion produced an excellent result themselves when they held Hibs to a draw in the opening game, but they aren't good travellers, and they collapsed to a desperate 6-1 home defeat against the same Arbroath side in midweek that Elgin ran close.

Elgin boss Gavin Price has praised his team for the start to their season and they should be able to continue the feelgood factor.

Stranraer should be able to cover a two-goal handicap against a Berwick side still mired in a miserable run.

The English club were relegated from the Scottish League last season and will play in the Lowland League this term alongside Bonnyrigg Rose, Dalbeattie Star and Edinburgh and Stirling Universities. But they still get to compete in this season's Betfred Cup.

They have lost all of their last ten games, scored no goals and conceded 36. Last week, they were trounced 7-0 at home to Ayr United.

Stranraer held big-spending Falkirk to a 1-0 loss in midweek and should be good enough to cover a handicap against the unfortunate Shielfield Park side.

Stenhousemuir could be worth a nibble at East Fife.

The relegated Ochilview side will ply their trade in Ladbrokes League Two this term, but they impressed against Dundee United in their first game in the Betfred Cup, going down to only a 2-1 loss.

They are well organised in defence and the signing of Kieran Anderson, who netted 47 goals last season from juniors Camelon, is interesting.

The Methil outfit looked well off the pace in their shock 2-0 loss to Fife rivals Cowdenbeath last week and Stenny could be worth backing at a decent price.

Recommendations
Elgin
1pt 29-20 Hills
Stranraer -2 on handicap
1pt 2-1 Betfair, Coral
Back this tip with Paddy Power
Stenhousemuir
1pt 5-2 Hills, Sky Bet
Back this tip with Hills

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