[kompressaur]

Airdrie V Motherwell is a local derby and Airdrie has an ok cup tradition. Not a game i would instantly be attracted to and Airdrie could be missing striker Prunty. Motherwell seem too short for me at 4/7 but the over 2.5 goals could appeal.

Berwick v Falkirk is another game which i would find it hard to get involved in. Falkirk are no price but they should win v possible Scottish 3rd division champions elect Berwick. I think Berwick are vurnerable at home but i also belive that Falkirk have lost goal scoring machine Stokes.

Celtic v Dumbarton - yes the odds reflect the chances. Dumbarton to be drawing half time and celtic winning full time could be a possibility to me but otherwise no bet for me.

Clyde v Gretna is a cracking tie and one that i could well chance the home team in. Clyde have gave Gretna 2 hard games this season and i belive they held them to a draw in last seasons scottish cup which saw Gretna reach the final. The price on the home is definetlt worth looking at imo. Grwtna drew 0-0 with Clyde in last years cup and also beat them at Broadwood 2-1 in the league.

Cowdenbeath wil be looking for some revenge v Brechin after Brechin beat them 4-2 at Brechin last week. Both these teams can score goals for fun so expect a few goals. Brechin i believe will just be too strong for them but i can't see me betting on this game. Brechin have beaten Cowdenbeath twice this seaon in the league scoring 7 goals in the process.

Elgin conquerers of the highland league leaders Buckie last round come up against last season's highland league winners. I quite like the price on the away but Deveronvale will be no mugs. M Johnston is back on form for Elgin and if Adam Nelson is back then i would definetly be interested in Elgin

Dundee have played QOS a few times this season and have had the upper hand in most although theyve been tight games. The price on the home looks ok but Dundee often let down their fans and bettors when least expected. the price on dundee almost makes me want to get involved. Im sure QOS will be more bothered about the league this season than a cup run.

Hamilton hopefully will still have a few injuries and the reports from Livi visiting Hamilton's plastic pitch when drawing there a few weeks ago should make interesting reading. I could be very interested in Livinston. Hamilton beat Livingston in the league at Livingstone on the Friday night game this season and Livi drew at Hamilton as mentioned.

It should be a full house at Morton for the visit of kilmarnock. Cappelow is never an easy place to go especially on cup duties. Kilmarnock can be an unpredictable lot in cups v lower division sides and i could see this being a draw and Kilmarnock winning the replay back at Rugby Pk.

Ross County v Partick - Partick have beaten ross twice this season scoring 8 goals in the process. I think these scorelines flattered Partick a bit and i would find it hard to back against ross in the cup.

St johnstone v Ayr looks a tough nut to crack. BEtting against Ayr away from home and in cups is an easy way to the poor house the last few seasons. Whilst Ayr continue playing a 4-5-1 formation its hard to see where the goals are gonna come from. St Johnstone are unbeaten in the last 6 meetings between the two sides.

Stirling v ICT - There's no real form to go on between these 2 but stirling have never beaten ICT. Inverness are no mugs on the road and if i can get 4/5 on them i'll take it.

I think Hearts will beat stranraer by 2 or 3 goals and i'll take them -1 goal all day.

Dundee Utd have beaten St Mirren twice on league business this season and with the new manager and sSt Mirren having injury problems to their strikers you have to fancy Dundee Utd at the odds.

Rangers always beat Dunfermline. It's traditional. Rangers are unbeaten in the last 12 v Dunfermline and have only lost once in at least the last 33 meetings.

2005/2006
Third Round
Saturday, 7 January, 2006
Alloa Athletic 1, Livingston 1
Spartans 3, Queen's Park 2
Queen of the South 1, Hamilton Academical 1
Heart of Midlothian 2, Kilmarnock 1
Dundee United 2, Aberdeen 3
Ross County 5, Forfar Athletic 0
Falkirk 2, Brechin City 1
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1, Ayr United 1
St Mirren 3, Motherwell 0
Hibernian 6, Arbroath 0
Rangers 5, Peterhead 0
St Johnstone 0 Gretna 1
Stirling Albion 0, Partick Thistle 1
Dunfermline Athletic 3, Airdrie United 4

Sunday, 8 January 2006
Clyde 2, Celtic 1
Dundee 2, Stranraer 0

Replays
Wednesday, 11 January 2006
Livingston 1, Alloa Athletic 2