IT’S all about the romance of the Scottish Cup this weekend, although I wouldn’t recommend a pie and bovril at Auchinleck if you’re thinking about springing a surprise for a first date.
Championship sides enter their fray in the third round and there’s scope for a few shocks on a wet and windy November afternoon.
Hamilton face that trip to Auchinleck and I wouldn’t be too surprised if Stuart Taylor’s young side got a bloody nose against the impressive West of Scotland League leaders.
Talbot have lost just one game all season while Accies have won once in their last seven in the Championship.
Auchinleck are as big as 19/4 with SkyBet who also price them at 15/8 in the double-chance market. That looks good value after Talbot knocked Ayr out of the Cup in 2019.
Championship leaders Kilmarnock also face a tricky tie away to League One high fliers Queen’s Park.
A solid defence has been the bedrock of the Spiders’ success so I’d be surprised if we saw a lot of goals today.
Under 2.5 strikes pays evens with BoyleSports and that looks a decent bet with Killie drawing blanks in two of their last three games in the Championship.
Out-of-form Queen of the South could also come a cropper against League One opposition as they travel to Cove Rangers.
It says everything about the form of both sides that Cove are favourites at 25/19 (SBK) while Allan Johnston’s Doonhamers can be backed at 15/8 (BoyleSports).
Paul Hartley’s men have scored two or more in seven of their last eight so that makes over 2.5 goals a decent option at 4/5 with McBookie.
It would be fitting if Clydebank toppled League One Clyde at Holm Park as we close in on the first anniversary of the passing of Mr Fixit. His beloved Bankies are in decent form, sitting third in the West of Scotland League, while the Bully Wee have won just once in their last seven games.
Clydebank are as big as 10/3 at McBookie for a shock win but I’m going to bet against BTTS instead (13/8, BoyleSports) as it could be a tight one.
Another tie that offers the prospect of a shock is East Fife’s trip to Banks O’Dee.
The Methil men are without a boss after the departure of Darren Young and currently prop up League One after winning just two of their last 11.
The North Superleague side are 4/1 at BoyleSports to pile on the pain and they are also a tempting 31/21 at SBK in the double chance market.
Super Singles
- Auchinleck double chance (15/8, SkyBet)
- Under 2.5 goals at Queen’s Park (Evens, BoyleSports)
- BTTS no at Clydebank (13/8, BoyleSports)
McBookie Star Bet
- Cove’s Mitch Megginson is 11/8 to grab a goal against Queen of the South.
In December 2020 we sadly 
Many Thanks for your heads up Kevin. Took the Auchinleck -Banks O’Dee double at 26/1.
Even better that I used a free bet
Glad to hear your double came up. Was a great round of cup games for the punters. Most of the bookies down south don’t seem to realise gap between non-league football and League Two and One isn’t that big in Scotland