A SOLD-OUT Holm Park could witness something of a Scottish Cup shock tonight as League Two side Elgin City face a club many on this site know well, Clydebank.
Paul Jain's beloved Bankies have big ambitions these days – they want to return to the Scottish leagues, where they left 19 years ago in ignominious circumstances.
Clydebank reached the Scottish Cup semi-final as recently as 1990, but they now play in the West of Scotland Premier Division after an incredible rise from the ashes of the old club. They've gone from being reformed and playing in the Scottish Supporters League in 2002 to going toe-to-toe with former junior giants Pollok and Auchinleck Talbot.
They play an Elgin City side, who have lost four games out of their last five and will face a huge challenge in cramped surroundings on a plastic pitch in Yoker.
Gavin Price's side have only won two games this season and, although they ran Inverness close in the Challenge Cup, they appear to be on a downwards spiral.
Clydebank thumped Dalkeith Thistle 7-0 to reach this stage and manager Gordon Moffat has urged his players to enjoy the game live on BBC Scotland, with over 1,000 tickets sold for the game.
How the bookies view it
Clydebank are big outsiders here at 15/4 with bet365. The Highlanders can be backed at 4/6 with McBookie.com and the draw is 18/5.
Recent head to heads
The clubs have never met, but here's a taste of what Elgin can expect at Holm Park with highlights of Clydebank's defeat to Kilwinning Rangers earlier this month.
Players to watch
Clydebank legend Nicky Little netted his 100th goal for the Bankies earlier this year and is their record scorer in the juniors era. He's scored ten goals in the West of Scotland Premier League this season in 18 appearances.
Elgin's experience midfielder Ross Draper finally made his debut for the club last week in their defeat at Albion Rovers. He was playing for Ross County in the Premiership last season and signed for Cove Rangers in the summer, but has experienced injury problems. He's been sent on loan to Borough Briggs to get some game time and clearly should be playing at a higher level.
Anything else catch the eye?
Elgin City were dismal in their defeat last week at crumbling Cliftonhill last week, but the ramshackle Coatbridge ground will feel like the Nou Camp compared with a trip to Yoker's Holm Park.
There's clearly very little difference between the clubs at the top of the WoS top flight with clubs struggling in Scottish football's fourth tier and this looks like a real chance of an upset.
Clydebank will be backed with vociferous support and will fancy their chances all right and Elgin have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight games.
And in a match with few markets so far, the double chance of Clydebank and the draw at 6/4 looks real value.
This Scottish Cup match between Clydebank and Elgin City will be played on Oct 25, 2021 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Clydebank vs Elgin City prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
