AUCHINLECK live and breathe the Junior Cup – and win No.13 is on the cards on Sunday.
The Ayrshire giants have enjoyed another dominant season having won the West Premiership by a cruise and another league and cup Double is their target against Largs at Hamilton.
Talbot, whose only recent setback was a West of Scotland semi-final defeat to Rob Roy, finished more than 30 points ahead of Thistle in the West top flight and are clearly the better side.
But strange things can happen in cup finals and the plastic surface will favour the underdogs who play well on their own artificial pitch – although it's not alien to Talbot as all recent finals have been on artificial pitches.
As a Clydebank fan I've watched both sides more than once this season and Talbot always impress me.
Last season they showed their never-say-die spirit by overturning a 2-1 deficit to Hurlford to win 3-2 in the dying embers and displayed quality this season to beat Ayr in the senior Scottish Cup.
Largs beat Hurlford, the West's second best team, over two legs in the semis so can't be written off but they will be without keeper Jamie McGowan who is on holiday.
McGowan's played a major role in getting Thistle to the Final so it's a bodyblow and he'll be replaced by Danny Farrell or Ross Lundy.
I'm backing Talbot to win at 2-5 with McBookie while they are 2-9 to lift the trophy. If it's level after 90 minutes we're straight to penalties.
Largs are 33-10 with McBookie to win in normal time and 3-1 to pick up the prize while a draw pays 9-2.
I'd love it if bookies offered both teams to score in the juniors where there are loads of goals. McBookie have priced it for the Final at 4-6 for yes but this time no tempts at 5-4.
Even better would be if they offered odds on a red as there are more at this level than the seniors. This time I'm on McBookie's 7-2 for a sending-off while it's 1-6 for no.
McBookie have also priced up first scorers and Graham Wilson is 10-3 favourite to score first and the Talbot hitman is always a threat. At a bigger price Jamie Glasgow could be worth a look at 7-1.
For Largs consider wideman Ben Black at 12-1 or what about defender Creag Little at 40-1 with their best chance possibly coming from a set-piece.
Recommended Bets
- Auchinleck
- Both to score – no
- Red card in match
- G Wilson to score first
Sunday, 4.10pm, live on BBC Alba
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
