ST MIRREN have work to do if they want to make it through to the next round of the Viaplay Cup and they welcome group shock troops Forfar Athletic to Paisley on Saturday in a must-win game for them.
Stephen Robinson's side have looked rusty so far in this competition – away from home anyway. Although they battered Forfar's Angus rivals Arbroath 4-0 at home, they have been very poor on their travels.
Yet another Angus side Montrose stunned them 1-0 in the opening game of the competition and then in midweek, they needed Lowland League plodders Cowdenbeath to have a man sent off before Saints finally won it deep into injury time in Fife.
It's hardly an encouraging start to the season for the Buddies, who have replaced one defender, Declan Gallagher with another, James Bolton, from Plymouth Argyle this week.
Forfar have been excellent so far and are top of the group after winning all three games. The League Two side have beaten Montrose from the league above and Arbroath from the Championship.
Manager Ray McKinnon's aborted move to assist Duncan Ferguson at Forest Green Rovers seems to have galvanised them.
How the bookies view it
St Mirren are still massive favourites here at 1/4 with bet365, while the Forfar Loons are 10/1 outsiders with William Hill. The draw is 9/2 with Paddy Power.
Recent head to heads
The clubs haven't met for 18 years so not much to go on here. Curiously, Forfar have scored five goals in two of the last three meetings between the sides.
Players to watch
St Mirren's Toyosi Olusanya was the hero in midweek when he rescued a win deep into injury time when he netted at Central Park. He spent last season on loan at Arbroath and will be keen to establish himself with Saints.
Former Dundee striker Josh Skelly has now scored against Montrose and Arbroath and will want to make it three games in a row with a goal in Paisley.
Anything else catch the eye?
This should be a lot trickier than the prices suggest here and it should be worth backing Forfar on the handicaps at the very least.
Forfar are well organised defensively and the visitors with a two-goal start on the handicaps at evens with bet365 is begging to be backed.
The visitors can breach the Saints defence too at 5/6 with bet365, with the layers overestimating St Mirren at this stage of the season.
This Scottish League Cup match between St Mirren and Forfar Athletic will be played on Jul 29, 2023 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best St Mirren vs Forfar Athletic prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
