[Mr Chips]

Norning chaps, been debating the first round with a mate who watches a lot of lower league games, particuarly Division 2. Runs main Forfar website, here's his thoughts:

Arbroath v Stranraer – Arbroath are a decent price there – but you are looking at SD1 v SD3. Arbroath are capable of springing a surprise at home, but have a lot of new faces.

Suspect a tentative Stranraer win



Ayr v Stirling – Ayr have re-built using a lot of Ayrshire junior players. Stirling are mostly unchanged from last season but are extremely lacking in firepower.

Ayr Win



Brechin v Clyde – Brechin have the nucelaus of last years squad intact, and Ian Campbell will have them organised. Clyde, for all their novelty value, have assembled a half decent squad – however not trained together for long. Home advantage should see a

Brechin Win



East Fife v Stenhousemuir – Can’t see anything but a Stenny win here, my tip for Champions this season also



Morton v Gretna – Complete unknown quantities – avoid like the plague.



Partick v Cowden – Partick are misfiring big style pre-season. If you wanted to take a risk I’d go for a cowdenbeath win here, however partick SHOULD win.



Peterhead v Berwick – Peterhead should walk this on the back of last seasons promotion



Queen of the South v Albion – QOS all the way – rubbish odds though



QueensPark v Hamilton – Hamilton will do well this season



Raith v Elgin – Raith should win this, not as certainly as their odds would suggest however



Ross County v Montrose – I think county will sneak this with home advantage, not a good bet



St Johnstone v Alloa – St J all the way, depending on what Alloa side actually turns up



St Mirren v Forfar – Mirren have a number of new signings, Forfar missing tosh which will see Shields marked tightly. A lot will depends on whether Sellars takes a game. Forfar ARE a good early season team, defo worth a punt on those odds IMO, however “experts” would suggest St Mirren



Dundee v East Stirling – East Stirling win ;-)