AS cup names go, The Tunnocks Caramel Wafer Cup is up there with the worst of them and that's what this year's Scottish Challenge cup is called (cup competition that excludes the Premiership sides but allows them to field there U21 sides and includes Highland and Lowland league teams).
The Premiership U21 sides often struggle against their older and more experienced opponents and it really is a case of men v boys. There are 10 matches tonight and a couple of have caught my eye.
St Johnstone U21 vs Cove Rangers (KO 7.45pm)
It's not been a great few weeks for St Johnstone and I don't see things improving as their young U21 side take on for me the season's success story already in Cove Rangers.
Cove have adapted to life in the senior ranks like a fish to water and laid down a marker to the rest of the league with an emphatic 5-0 hammering of fellow promotions hopefully Edinburgh City. I've tipped them to romp this league and they look like they have everything in place to do so, on and off the park.
As there is no reserve league this season, St Johnstone have loaned out a number of their U21 side to lowe- league clubs such as Brechin, Airdrie, and Lowland league side BSC Glasgow so will it will be a fairly young and inexperienced side who will face Cove tonight.
Cove have a winning mentality and will play a side fully of experienced pros side against what essentially is a team made up of 18 and 19 years olds. The Aberdeen side I think will be too strong and Paul Hartley would love a win at one of his old stomping grounds.
Recommended Bet
- Cove Rangers to win
- 5/4 (Sportingbet) (NAP)
Scottish Challenge Cup Goals:
Usually good for goals this competition in the early rounds and I'be picked out three games where we should see plenty:
- Fraserburgh vs Ross County U21
- Hibernian U21 vs Elgin
- Berwick vs Rangers U21
Over 2.5 goals treble pays 6/4 (Bet365)
English Lower League Goals
There are 30+ games from the National league and North and South leagues, the last two in particular are terrific for goals so worth doing a few small stake over 2.5 accumulators.
Sky Bet are offering their goals specials on the National League (12 games) and at this early stage of the season it's definitely worth a punt on the total goals market. There was 31 scored in Saturday's opener and interestingly the top 4 teams are all at home tonight. Back that and the usual specials for some loose change at massive odds.
- 33+ goals scored – 11/8 (Skybet)
- First half goal in each game – 80/1 (Skybet)
- All matches over 1.5 goals – 33/1 (Skybet)
In December 2020 we sadly 
