THE top two in Group G meet at Fir Park in the live game on Premier Sports on Sunday afternoon as Motherwell play host to Partick Thistle in what promises to be an entertaining encounter.
Motherwell currently sits top of Group G having amassed eight points from their opening three group-stage matches.
Stuart Kettlewell’s men began the campaign with a routine 3-0 victory at home to rock-bottom Edinburgh City and won 1-3 at Clyde last time out, but sandwiched in between that was a 1-1 draw at Montrose – with The Steelmen gaining an extra point thanks to their shootout win.
Partick Thistle made a bright start to their League Cup campaign, as they edged Montrose in a five-goal thriller at Firhill before thrashing Edinburgh City 0-6 away from home.
However, Kris Doolan’s men fell to a surprise 2-3 defeat at home to League Two side Clyde in midweek, leaving them second in the group, two points behind their hosts.
How the bookies view it: Steelmen Favourites to Secure All Three Points
Motherwell have been installed as favourites here, with a home win priced at 8/11 by Bet365. A victory for The Jags is priced at 17/5 at Paddy Power, while Betway are offering odds of 16/5 for a stalemate in 90 minutes.
Head to head: Motherwell Tend to Well in This Fixture
These two sides have not faced each other since Partick Thistle’s five-year stay in the Scottish Premiership was ended in 2017/18 after their relegation. During that period, Motherwell are unbeaten in their nine meetings with The Jags at Fir Park, winning seven of those (W7-D2-L0).
Players to watch: Another Miller Masterclass Incoming?
Motherwell’s Lennon Miller is one of the biggest talents in Scottish football and has been linked with a move away from North Lanarkshire. He scored from the spot in their victory at Clyde last time out and is usually involved in The Well’s best work.
Brian Graham has found the back of the net in each of Thistle’s three group-stage matches and is always worth a punt to get on the scoresheet.
Probable line-ups
Harry Paton was taken off before half-time at Clyde last weekend with Andy Halliday coming on for him, and the Ex-Rangers man may come in from the start here.
Partick Goalkeeper David Mitchell was forced off just past the half-hour mark in midweek, with his replacement Mason McCready likely to be in from the start on Sunday.
Motherwell: Hegyi, O’Donnell, Gordon, Casey, Blaney, Wilson, Miller, Zdravkovski, Halliday, Ebiye, Robinson
Partick Thistle: McCready, Williams, Muirhead, Ashcroft, O’Reilly, Turner, McBeth, Chalmers, Robinson, Fitzpatrick, Graham
Anything else catch the eye?
There have been a staggering 25 goals scored across both sides opening three League Cup matches this term, and another high-scorer looks likely here.
Over 2.5 Goals has paid out in five (83%) of those matches – and given Both Teams to Score has landed in 4/4 (100%) in matches excluding rock-bottom Edinburgh City – I’m happy to combine them both, which pays 5/6 at Bet365.
Over 3.5 Goals has landed in all three of Partick’s League Cup matches to date, and I’m happy to have a little punt on that trend continuing in North Lanarkshire on Sunday.
This Scottish League Cup match between Motherwell and Partick Thistle will be played on Jul 28, 2024 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Motherwell vs Partick Thistle prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
