FALKIRK smashed five goals past Albion Rovers in their League Cup opener but face a much tougher examination when Hamilton come calling.
Accies boss Brian Rice is returning to the club he served with distinction as player and assistant manager but won't let sentiment get in the way as he bids to build on a 1-0 victory over Edinburgh City.
Both these clubs had traumatic ends to last season with Falkirk blowing promotion to the Championship and Hamilton tumbling into the second tier after finishing bottom of the Premiership.
A league still separates them but there's not much between the squads in terms of quality and the Bairns have heaps of top-flight experience in the shape of Gary Miller, Paul Dixon, Brad McKay and Callumn Morrison.
Former Aberdeen youth chief Paul Sheerin is now at the helm and will be looking to lead the club out of the third tier at the third time of asking.
Hamilton will also be targeting an instant return to the Premiership with Rice once more relying on a blend of youth and experience. Neither club will be too fussed about having a lengthy League Cup run but this clash will give their managers a better idea of how their new-look teams are shaping up.
How the bookies view it
This is a tough one to call but Falkirk are McBookie's favourites at 6/4. Accies are 17/10 with the same firm while the stalemate pays 5/2.
Recent head to head
These teams haven't faced each other since Hamilton edged a 2-1 aggregate win in the 2014 play-off semi en route to Premiership promotion (below). Accies have won five of the last 10 meetings, with the Bairns claiming two wins and the other three matches drawn.
Players to watch
Callumn Morrison was probably Falkirk's best player last term and he has made a flying start to the new campaign with a double in the rout of Albion. But the bookies are continuing to pay lip service to Scottish football and there's no prices as yet for anytime scorer.
Striker David Moyo has stayed with Accies despite their drop into the second tier and his power could cause the Bairns problems.
Anything else catch the eye?
Going for a one-goal winning margin paid off for me when St Mirren faced Dunfermline and that bet stands a chance here as there's not much between the sides. It pays 5/4 at McBookie.
If' you've been betting against BTTS so far in the League Cup you will have a big smile on your face as that bet has landed in 22 of the ties. One of those games was Hamilton's clash with City although both teams did score as Falkirk routed Rovers. But only two of the Bairns' last six matches last term saw BTTS come up so try betting against it here at 23/20 with BetVictor.
The League Cup openers involving these sides both produced 12 corners so we could see a few here. But that market is another the bookies seemingly can't be bothered to price up.
This Scottish League Cup match between Falkirk and Hamilton Academical will be played on Jul 17, 2021 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Falkirk vs Hamilton Academical prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
