Falkirk will look to return to winning ways in the Scottish League Cup when they take on Queen’s Park on Tuesday night.
After kicking off their campaign with a 7-0 demolition of Brechin City, the Bairns were held to a 0-0 draw in their subsequent fixture with Cove Rangers on Saturday, though they did bag a bonus point thanks to a penalty shootout success.
That means John McGlynn’s men find themselves occupying second spot in the section ahead of their final two Group A assignments – both of which will be at their Falkirk Stadium base.
As such, Falkirk remain masters of their own destiny in their bid to reach the knockout round of the Scottish League Cup for what would be the third season on the spin.
Meanwhile, Queen’s Park, despite making a mixed start to their own campaign, remain in the mix to progress to the last 16.
Sean Crighton’s side slumped to a 2-1 loss at Spartans on matchday one before bouncing back with a thumping 5-0 win over Group A whipping boys Brechin.
How the bookies view it: Bairns to get back on track
Following Saturday’s stumble at Cove, Falkirk are expected to get back up and running on Tuesday night, with a home win odds-on at 2/5 with Bet 365. Backing the Bairns to win alongside Over 2.5 Goals will boost the odds up to a much more attractive even-money (1/1) on Bet 365.
Queen’s Park come into this clash as 6/1 outsiders with Bet 365 while an all square affair at the Falkirk Stadium is an unfancied 15/4 with the same firm.
Head to head: Falkirk have Spiders in a spin
Falkirk triumphed in three of their four meetings with Queen’s Park on their way to winning last season’s Scottish Championship title, including a 4-0 success at Hampden in March.
Players to watch: Miller to make his mark?
Calvin Miller was instrumental in Falkirk’s surge towards back-to-back titles last season, registering 10 goals and 11 assists. It's worth noting that two of those strikes came against Queen’s Park.
New arrival Josh Fowler has been Queen’s Park’s standout performer across their opening two Group A games, racking up a combined total of three goals. The former Dubai City forward could offer some value if anytime goalscorer odds are made available by the bookmakers.
Predicted line-ups
Bairns boss McGlynn will once again be without injured trio Barney Stewart, Coll Donaldson and Finn Yeats, while right-back Keelan Adams is also a doubt after missing Saturday’s stalemate with Cove.
Queen’s Park boss Crighton could stick with the set of players that put Brechin to the sword in empathic fashion last Tuesday night, although striker Michael Ruth is pushing for a start after coming off the bench to grab a goal in that victory.
Falkirk: Hogarth; Allan, Neilson, Henderson, Mackie; Spencer, Tait, Arfield; Miller, Ross, Graham
Queen’s Park: Ferrie, Pignatiello, Murray, Fox, Shiels; Longridge, MacGregor; Fowler, McDonnell, Scott; Ruth
Anything else catch the eye?
Given how goal-heavy Falkirk’s games were last season, siding with Over 2.75 Asian Goals looks well worthy of support at 5/6 on Bet 365.
This bet would generate profit in the event that there are a minimum of three match goals on Tuesday night.
The Bairns were notoriously fast starters last season, particularly at home, making two or more first-half goals from McGlynn’s men an attractive angle of attack at 12/5 (Bet 365).
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