Scottish Cup Third Round: Predictions and Four Key Ties to Watch
The oldest cup competition in Scotland returns this weekend as all 10 teams from the Championship and League One join the 20 winners from the Second Round.
Alongside predictions of the results for each match, here are four key ties to look out for:
Auchinleck Talbot v Hamilton Academical
Auchinleck Talbot will welcome Championship side Hamilton to Beechwood Park this Saturday.
Talbot, managed by Tommy Sloan, take part in the West of Scotland League and are no strangers to the competition. The club reached the fifth round against Hearts three seasons ago, beat local rivals Ayr United in the fourth round the following season and held Arbroath to a replay last year.
The home side seem to thrive against SPFL opposition and with Stuart Taylor’s men going into the match after a 1-0 defeat against Partick Thistle, the Ayrshire side will fancy their chances of another cup upset.
Prediction- Home win
Clydebank v Clyde
Scottish League One side Clyde are the visitors at Holm Park this weekend as they face sixth-tier Premier Division side Clydebank.
The Bankies progressed from the Second Round at the dispense of League Two side Elgin City last month after a 2-1 victory in a replay.
Going into the tie, the Bully Wee have won each of their last four away matches against non-SPFL opposition without conceding a single goal, making them the favourites to progress.
However, as with any non-SPFL side, the home side shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Prediction: Away win
Kelty Hearts v Montrose
League Two leaders Kelty Hearts welcome League One side Montrose to New Central Park in their cup tie.
Kelty, managed by ex-Rangers player Kevin Thomson are flying high in League Two as they sit 10 points clear at the top of the table and are the only SPFL side yet to taste defeat as they remain unbeaten.
The home side will relish the opportunity to face a team who currently sit third in League One and will treat the tie as a chance to increase their credentials after their promotion last season.
Prediction: Draw (replay)
Brechin City v Darvel
Monday night’s match under the lights and live on BBC Scotland will see sixth-tier side Darvel make the 130-mile trip to face Highland League club Brechin.
The visitors, led by manager Michael Kennedy are making history in their first-ever Scottish Cup adventure as they defeated League Two side Stranraer last month to progress and are 90 minutes away from a money-spinning tie in the fourth round.
Brechin City were last season relegated from the SPFL into the Highland League and currently sit in second place, three points off the top as they bid to return to the SPFL set-up at the first time of asking.
Prediction- Home win
Predictions:
Partick Thistle v Dunfermline Athletic- Draw (replay)
Alloa Athletic v Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic- Home win
Arbroath v Forfar Athletic- Home win
Ayr United v Albion Rovers- Home win
Civil Service Strollers v Peterhead- Away win
Cove Rangers v Queen of the South- Home win
Dalbeattie Star v East Kilbride- Away win
Dumbarton v Sauchie Juniors- Home win
Falkirk v Raith Rovers- Draw (replay)
Gala Fairydean Rovers v Annan Athletic- Away win
Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Greenock Morton- Home win
Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale v Edinburgh City- Away win
Queen’s Park v Kilmarnock- Away win
Stenhousemuir v Airdrieonians- Away win
Stirling Albion v Tranent Juniors- Home win