Scottish Cup - 6/7/8 January

[Beanie]

Time for the Lower League thread and the SPL thread to club together and pick our winners for the cup, and Bet365 and nice and sharp with their odds as usual.

6 Jan-19:45 Dunfermline v Airdrie Utd 1.50 3.75 5.50
7 Jan-13:00 Spartans v Queens Park 3.10 3.60 1.90
7 Jan-15:00 Alloa v Livingston 8.50 5.00 1.25
7 Jan-15:00 Dundee Utd v Aberdeen 2.30 3.20 2.70
7 Jan-15:00 Falkirk v Brechin 1.25 5.00 8.50
7 Jan-15:00 Hearts v Kilmarnock 1.50 3.50 6.00
7 Jan-15:00 Hibernian v Arbroath 1.14 6.50 12.00
7 Jan-15:00 Inverness CT v Ayr 1.28 4.50 8.50
7 Jan-15:00 Queen of South v Hamilton 4.33 3.75 1.61
7 Jan-15:00 Rangers v Peterhead 1.06 8.00 21.00
7 Jan-15:00 Ross County v Forfar 1.36 4.50 6.00
7 Jan-15:00 St Johnstone v Gretna 2.20 3.40 2.75
7 Jan-15:00 St Mirren v Motherwell 3.00 3.25 2.10
7 Jan-15:00 Stirling v Partick 2.20 3.40 2.75
8 Jan-13:00 Clyde v Celtic 12.00 7.00 1.12
8 Jan-15:00 Dundee v Stranraer 1.61 3.60 4.50

[milners]

Don’t really like the Scottish Cup much, especially at the early stage. Hopefully there is some excellent prices on the handicaps.

Why is Spartans already created a shock by beating a injury hit Berwick side, Queens Park have done ok of late mmm it’s a thought of going with Queens Park. Don’t fancy it either, Airdrie have been doing quite well of late.

Dunfermline on a Friday night is it on tv???

[crowie]

Even at 1.286, that ICT price is big IMO. They shouldn't be longer than Falkirk (no home wins) who are playing one of next seasons Div 2 sides, or Livi, who are away from home even if it is v a terrible Alloa side.

No idea why Dunfermline is Friday night as Celtic is the TV game according to Bet365.

[all_funkt_up]

celtic are on Sky, keane's debut apparently. Is there a friday night televised match aswell?

[Beanie]

Don't know whats up there - Dunfermline match is on the Saturday at 3...

Gonna watch Scotsport before going much further, but yeah if Livi are 1.40 or lower on the exchanges they will be well worth laying.

We played Alloa last season at this stage(or perhaps the round after) and struggled our way to a 90th minute winner for 1-0. Alloa are a poorer side this season, but we aren't much better either and if we do win its going to be another huge struggle. I'd only back us at perhaps 1.50 or above.

And if Hibs get near 1.20(which they probably wont ) I'd be all over them against an Arbroath side that hasn't won away from home in 9 attempts in the 3rd Div. 1.15 or anywhere above will do me though.

[milners]

just noticed half my text is gone!!! Strange

[Beanie]

Not sure whats up with that Milners.

Having just watched Scotsport, quick impressions were that Falkirk and Hearts both played very well but lost, Dunfermline didn't seem to do much yet won. Livingston were better attacking wise, but still abysmal defending.

I went to the Spartans v Livi game a couple of seasons ago(when we actually had a half decent side and won the CIS) and its a strangely difficult place to play. We were held to 0-0 at HT(FT 4-0) and it won't be easy for a team like QP. Nevertheless, the bookies seem to have cottoned onto that.

This round last year:

Montrose 1 - 2 Queen of the South
Kilmarnock 2 - 0 Motherwell
Raith Rovers 0 - 2 Alloa Athletic
St Mirren 3 - 0 Hamilton Accies
Celtic 2- 1 Rangers
Clyde 3 - 0 Falkirk
Arbroath 0 - 2 Aberdeen
Berwick Rangers 0 - 3 Brechin City
Gretna 3 - 4 Dundee United
East Fife 0 - 0 Dunfermline Athletic 3 - 1 East Fife
Ross County 4 - 1 Airdrie Utd
Hibernian 2 - 0 Dundee
Inverness CT 1 - 0 St Johnstone
Partick Thistle 0 - 0 Hearts 2 - 1 Partick Thistle
Livingston 2 - 1 Morton
Ayr Utd 3 - 3 Stranraer 0 - 2 Ayr Utd

The important thing to note there is that there are no teams losing to sides in lower divisions than them(I don't think) and only a few that could be classed as surprising results (eg Falkirk losing to Clyde) but even then thats stretching it. So the favourites deserve most attention this weekend.

[kompressaur]

Just gonna read up. Some div 3 games too-

Bell's Scottish Third Div
7 Jan-15:00 Albion v East Stirling 4/7 13/5 4/1
7 Jan-15:00 East Fife v Elgin 8/13 13/5 10/3
7 Jan-15:00 Montrose v Berwick 8/5 5/2 6/5
bet365

[kompressaur]

off the top off my head and sorry if mentioned above.

Hearts always beat Killie at Tynecastle especially the last few years from what i remember. Killie are always worth a goal too so i can see it being a defo OVER 2.5. Hope i can get on it.

The 9/5 on Aberdeen seems a fair price to me. Im sure this game will be well covered and i hope the aberdeen fans are being positive about it

I dont know why i think Alloa will cause an upset. Just a feeling. Surely they cant. You'd still want better than the 8/1 on them i reckon.

Stirling v Partick is interesting. A bit of form in this and Thistle should be missing the 2 loan players they had. Funny old team mind Partick. Suprise me at the best of times and usually cost me money

Heh heh i'll be all over Queens Park no doubt. Aye Berwick went there and lost but thats Berwick and they couldnt score a goal for toffee at the the mo. I just think QP will do the business and i reckon i'll be on them especially now they have some of their main players back.

Some reading required for Hamilton at QOS. Dont know if i could chance them at that price mind. seem awfully short to me. I always like Ayr/ICT games. ICT were Ayr's bogey team for years but i might have a wee interest in Ayr. Ayr i like in any cup and they can suprise.

Gretna away at St J could be interesting as St J are missing players and are looking pretty ineffective at the mo. Nah its gonna be a tight game.

Motherwell will have a ding dong battle with St Mirren. Should be a full house at Love St. Can see the SPL side shading it.

[Parahandy]

Looks to me about half and half re bankers and wide open ties.

In the banker category (outwith the blatantly obvious) I think Livvy will comfortably see off Alloa though at 1.25, don't hold much appeal. Falkirk and ICT should have far too much for Brechin and Ayr United respectively and I would say the odds are about right for these two.

Hearts should beat Killie but this could well be a tougher tie than it might initially appear. Based on Hearts home league form, 1.50 is probably about right, though it remains to be seen if the Jambos have a hangover from the Celtic match. Don't think I'll be going near this one.

Dundee Utd v Aberdeen looks to be a toss of a coin job and from a punting angle should be left well alone IMO, as anything could happen. Dunfermline v Airdrie, Spartans v Queens Park, St Johnstone v Gretna, QOS v Hamilton and Dundee v Stranraer all fall into the same category for me.

There are a few ties of more interest though and I can see Motherwell winning at Love Street. 'Well won there after extra time in the CIS Cup this season (0-0 at 90 mins) and I can see them doing it inside the distance this time. St Mirren are well clear at the top of Division 1 but look weaker than recent winners of that league and could find the energy of Motherwell too hot to handle.

Stirling won comfortably at Firhill recently in the league and with Partick having lost Santala and the boy from Livvy, they have been considerably weakened and I don't see any reason why Stirling can't beat them again.

Not sure exactly what the situation is at Ross County on the player front but if they've kept their squad, I would have to fancy them to beat Forfar.

[milners]

No surprises here but Alloa Sacked Hendrie tonight.

[pistol984]

Alloa are atrocious this year. I've had the unfortunate experience of watching them over the winter break and can't properly describe how shite we are.

I think Beanie and Parahandy call it right when they say that 1.25 is too short though. Alloa, speaking as a fan here so slightly biased, always always raise their game for cup ties. We've had a few hammerings but the boys always get stuck in and a struggling Livi team aren't gonna have an easy time of it. The reaction from the players at the manager getting sacked will also be interesting to see and might play a part.

[milners]

Spartans Scottish cup record.

date	opposition	competition	h/a	f	a
Sat 10th Dec 2005	Lossiemouth	Scottish Cup	a	5	0
Sat 26th Nov 2005	Berwick Rangers	Scottish Cup	h	1	0
Sun 8th Feb 2004	Livingston	Scottish Cup	h	0	4
Sat 10th Jan 2004	Arbroath	Scottish Cup	a	4	1
Sat 27th Dec 2003	Alloa Athletic	Scottish Cup	h	5	3
Sat 20th Dec 2003	Alloa Athletic	Scottish Cup	a	3	3
Sat 22nd Nov 2003	Buckie Thistle	Scottish Cup	h	6	1
Sat 15th Dec 2001	Deveronvale	Scottish Cup	h	1	2
Sat 8th Dec 2001	Deveronvale	Scottish Cup	a	0	0
Sat 6th Jan 2001	Stirling Albion	Scottish Cup	h	1	3
Wed 6th Jan 1999	Clyde	Scottish Cup	a	0	5
Sat 2nd Jan 1999	Clyde	Scottish Cup	h	1	1
Sat 12th Dec 1998	East Fife	Scottish Cup	a	1	4
Mon 13th Jan 1997	Arbroath	Scottish Cup	a	0	3
Sat 11th Jan 1997	Arbroath	Scottish Cup	h	0	0
Sat 13th Jan 1996	East Fife	Scottish Cup	a	1	2
Sat 6th Jan 1996	East Fife	Scottish Cup	h	0	0
Sat 16th Dec 1995	Glasgow University	Scottish Cup	a	1	0
Sat 5th Dec 1992	Queen of the South	Scottish Cup	a	0	3
Mon 21st Jan 1991	Cowdenbeath	Scottish Cup	a	0	2
Wed 9th Jan 1991	Cowdenbeath	Scottish Cup	h	0	0
Sat 15th Dec 1990	Threave Rovers	Scottish Cup	a	2	1
Mon 19th Jan 1987	Inverness Caledonian	Scottish Cup	a	0	5
Sat 2nd Feb 1985	Inverness Thistle	Scottish Cup	h	1	2
Sat 5th Jan 1985	Inverness Thistle	Scottish Cup	a	1	1
Sat 10th Dec 1983	Forfar Athletic	Scottish Cup	a	1	4
Sat 7th Feb 1981	Stenhousemuir	Scottish Cup	h	1	2
Sat 3rd Jan 1981	Stenhousemuir	Scottish Cup	a	0	0
Sat 15th Dec 1979	Forfar Athletic	Scottish Cup	h	1	2
Wed 31st Jan 1979	Meadowbank Thistle	Scottish Cup	a	1	2
Sun 21st Jan 1979	East Stirlingshire	Scottish Cup	a	3	2

[milners]

Just looking at Spartans here. Two seasons they beat two 2nd division sides in Alloa and Arbroath and lost 4-0 to Livingston although it was 0-0 at half time. Thats not a bad record mmm is it worth considering Spartans for a shock in the cup????

[kompressaur]

bah i was wanna back Queens Park too Queen's Park seem to have a prob taking their chances at the mo Milners it would seem. To me though on their day their an ok team and have p0ut in some good cup performances the last season or 2. I think they'll know the task in hand and wont take Spartans lightly. They went to Stranraer last year in the cup and played them off the park but lost 1-0. They'll be close to almost full strength and yip i could still consider them.

Thanks for the Alloa views Pistol. Didnt your boys go up to St Johnstone last season and win 3-0 in the cup? To me it just feels like they'll get something. Prob wont but the cup can produce some funny results. Hendrie away, shite league form, shipping goals and suddenly they get a good scalp and the Alloa fans are looking to a rosier future. They could let in 5 though. No bet for me.

Pat Clarke will be back at Partick from arbroath Edinlitchie could confirm. You guys miss him Edin?

I quite like gretna for saturday still but it aint as solid as i would like. Might miss out. Must be better bets than that surely?

Dundee dominated v Stranraer at dens pk earlier this season but drew i think. To me they were ok there in the cup but just lost on the night. I have to consider them. Stranraer continue to suprise me but i could be interested in the 4/6 especially as i cant find sod all else

queen's park/queen's park ht/ft is 11/5 with Hills. (13/8 Betfred) i could go with that. Gonna look at Aberdeen as Ladbrokes 9/2 on them ht/ft to me could happen. Might just look at a wee interest ht/ft perm for an interest. Does anyone have a match report of Aberdeens 1-1 draw at dundee utd this season in the league?

Airdrie should give Dunfermline a run for their money. Then again they aint in the same class. Aye its gonnabe a quiet week for me which is a shame as i need to get backinto my routine etc.