Motherwell will look to go top of Group G as they travel to Ochilview Park to take on League 1 side Stenhousemuir on Saturday afternoon.
It’s been a sticky start for life as new Motherwell boss for Jens Berthel Askou, as he could only draw 2-2 away at League 2 side Clyde last Saturday, before earning an extra point due to their shootout victory,
Things looked like they were going to get even worse for The Dane, as Peterhead took the lead at Fir Park on Tuesday night, and despite levelling the game just at the half-hour mark, it took a stoppage time winner from Lukas Fadinger to give Askou his first win as Well boss, on an evening our man Kevin got an Even money winner.
With current leaders Morton to face in their final group match, you feel it’s imperative that Askou gets a victory at Stenhousemuir on Saturday.
Gary Naysmith’s men didn’t kick off their League Cup campaign until Tuesday night, as they were comfortably beaten 3-0 in Greenock against The Ton.
How the bookies view it: Motherwell favourites
Unsurprisingly, Motherwell are favourites to record back-to-back victories, with BoyleSports pricing them at just 4/11.
A surprise Stenny victory is 13/2 with the same firm, whilst the draw is 16/5.
Head to head: Rare meeting between the sides
These two clubs haven’t played each other since playing in friendlies in three consecutive seasons between 2002/03 – 2004/05, with Motherwell winning 3-0 twice, and drawing the other 0-0.
Players to watch: Fadinger to flourish again?
Lukas Fadinger had an impressive Fir Park debut for Motherwell on Tuesday night, as he set up the equaliser and scored the late winner against Peterhead.
Tawanda Maswanhise scored twice against Clyde in their group opener but started the win against Peterhead. The Zimbabwean did come on off the bench 10 minutes into the second half, and if he starts here, I like the look of him to get on the scoresheet.
Predicted line-ups:
Stenny boss Gary Naysmith could only name three substitutes in their defeat at Morton on Tuesday night, with two of those trialists, so the ex-Scotland international may name a similar starting 11.
Matty Connelly made his first-team debut in goals in midweek, but the likes of Andy Halliday and Tawanda Maswanhise may come into the starting 11.
Stenhousemuir: Jamieson, Meechan, Simpson, Buchanan, Graham, Anderson, Aitken, Taylor, Bilham, McGill, O’Donnell
Motherwell: Connelly, Koutroumbis, McGinn, Gordon, Longelo, Watt, Slattery, Haliday, Just, Maswanhise
Anything else catch the eye?
Motherwell have been far from convincing in their opening two matches in Group G under new boss Jens Berthel Askou, with his side only drawing at Clyde (2-2) and snatching a stoppage time victory at home to Peterhead (2-1).
The Steelmen have already conceded in both of those matches against League 2 opposition, so I like the look of the League 1 side getting on the scoresheet here, with Both Teams to Score paying 21/20 at BoyleSports.
The Well should have enough to get three points, so combining a Motherwell win and Both Teams to Score pays 12/5, also at BoyleSports, for those wanting a juicier price.
GambleAware