PARTICK THISTLE entertain Falkirk in Glasgow on Saturday as both sides look to build on encouraging Viaplay Cup starts.
The Jags will still be bruised from last season's disastrous end to their campaign when they somehow managed to blow promotion in the last 19 minutes at Dingwall when they were three goals up on aggregate, only to completely collapse and lose the Premiership play-off final on penalties.
And there was something of a summer exodus at Firhill with key players Scott Tiffoney Ross Docherty and Kyle Turner all leaving. So far Kris Doolan has only managed to bring in Scott Robinson, Wasiri Williams and Ben Williamson on loan from Rangers.
However, they have started their League Cup campaign with a draw at Peterhead, which they won on penalties and a statement-making win at Tannadice against Championship favourites Dundee United.
They face a Falkirk side who have become joke figures in Scottish football in recent years. Despite a superb and solid support that has held up, they have failed to haul themselves up from the third tier for four miserable years.
They got their season off to a decent start by beating league new boys Spartans, who embarrassed Dundee United on Saturday, in Edinburgh in midweek.
Manager John McGlynn has brought in some decent recruits at this level including Calvin Miller and Tom Lang.
How the bookies view it
Thistle are solid good things here at 4/6 with Boylesports. Falkirk can be backed at 17/5 with BetVictor and the draw is 14/5 with 888Sport.
Recent head to heads
Falkirk won 2-0 in a Challenge Cup meeting last season, but the Jags hammered the Bairns 5-0 in their last meeting at Firhill two years ago in League One.
Players to watch
Brian Graham is still going strong at 35 and got his account for the new season off and running at Tannadice on Tuesday. The veteran striker was key for Thistle last season.
Falkirk snapped up striker Alfredo Agyeman from Kelty Hearts in the summer and he bagged ten goals last season in League One.
Anything else catch the eye?
This should be an entertaining game in Maryhill and Thistle can edge it with both teams scoring at 5/2 with William Hill.
The Jags defence has taken a hit with several key exits and they have conceded in both games this season at Peterhead and at Dundee United.
Falkirk usually manage to score and at this stage of the season, with a relatively relaxed attitude, there should be goals at both ends.
And with that in mind, go for over 2.5 goals too at 4/5 with William Hill also which should justify the odds-on price.
This Scottish League Cup match between Partick Thistle and Falkirk will be played on Jul 22, 2023 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Partick Thistle vs Falkirk prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.