MOTHERWELL will look to make an immediate return to winning ways in the Scottish League Cup when they entertain Queen's Park on Saturday evening.
Stuart Kettlewell's side kicked off their campaign by earning a comfortable 2-0 win at Elgin City last weekend, which was music to the ears of our man Mark Walker.
However the Steelmen didn't have things all their own way when playing out a manic 3-3 draw with Queen of the South in midweek, although they did pocket a bonus point via the subsequent penalty shootout.
That means Motherwell continue to occupy top spot in the section and they will look to strengthen their position at the summit by overcoming Queen's Park on Saturday.
The Spiders' Group G curtain-raiser with East Fife last Saturday ended goalless, with the Fifers coming out on top in the spot kicks that followed.
Robin Veldman's side are back on the road this weekend, with a trip to top-flight Motherwell almost certainly going to be their toughest test of the group phase.
Outright Betting
Motherwell, who won both of their Scottish League Cup group stage home games last season, go into this tie as odds-on 4/7 (Bet 365) favourites.
As already mentioned, Queen's Park played a draw in their opening game of the competition and the same outcome here can be backed at 16/5 (William Hill) while the away win is an unfancied 19/4 (Ladbrokes).
Betting Angles
Motherwell are too short to side with at the above-mentioned price but we can get some 4/5 (Bet 365) on them to overcome a -0.75 hurdle on the Asian Handicap and that looks like a worthy boost in price.
This selection would deliver a full pay-out if the home team triumph by two goals or more, with a half-stakes winner banked if Well win by a one-goal margin.
While the Fir Park outfit are now moving forward without talismanic striker Kevin van Veen, they have hit five goals across their opening two League Cup games and I suspect they will have too much class for their Glasgow guests.
What's more, Well boss Kettlewell will have earmarked this fixture with the Spiders as one where three points if they are to finish top of the section and secure a last 16 berth.
Granted, Queen's Park are something of an unknown quantity under Robin Veldman and we don't really know what to expect from them, but it's hard to see them parking the bus here, with their pre-season outings and and Group G opener suggesting that they will adopt a more attacking and possession-based approach this term.
With all that in mind, coupled with the Steelmen's strong home form under Stuart Kettlewell, I'm happy to back the hosts with at at 4/5 (Bet 365) with a -0.75 start on the Asian Handicap.
Elsewhere, I'll also dip into the anytime goalscorer market and have a small play on Motherwell's Blair Spittal to get on the scoresheet at 10/3 (William Hill).
After notching twice against Queen of the South in midweek, the deadball specialist looks overpriced to put his former employers to the sword this weekend.
This Scottish League Cup match between Motherwell and Queen's Park will be played on Jul 22, 2023 and kick off at 17:15. Check below for our tipsters best Motherwell vs Queen's Park prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.