Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Scottish League Cup clash between Kelty Hearts and Hibernian, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Kelty Hearts will be aiming to kickstart their Scottish League Cup journey at the second time of asking when they welcome Hibernian to New Central Park on Saturday.
On the flip side, the away side head out this weekend in search of a third cup victory in keeping with their fine start to the campaign so far.
Match preview
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Hibernian ran riot against Queen’s Park in Tuesday’s meeting at Easter Road which ended in an emphatic 5-1 triumph.
First-half goals from Warren O’Hora, Martin Boyle and Rudi Allan-Molotnikov set David Gray‘s men on their way to victory after which Dylan Levitt and Boyle added more gloss to the scoreline, rendering Jack Turner‘s strike no more than a consolation.
As a result, The Hibs remain top of Group C and are the only side in the group still with a perfect record after two rounds of matches.
Next up is the challenge of an opposing outfit who have been beaten in all but one of their last six matches across all competitions leading up to this one.
Currently on a run of four consecutive away wins by a combined score of 12-0, Saturday’s visitors have been imperious on both ends of the pitch and will take some stopping here.
Kelty Hearts just about came up short on penalties against Elgin City when the teams went head to head at Borough Briggs on Tuesday evening.
Scott Williamson‘s opener just before the break saw Michael Tidser‘s men hold a narrow advantage at half time before Michael Dangana struck 20 minutes from time to send the game to spot kicks, where Scott Allan suffered the agony of being the only person to fluff his lines from 12 yards.
With just one point on the board so far, The Maroon Machines sit fourth in Group C, five points shy of their next opponents at the summit of the standings.
Having shipped 11 goals across their last three home matches, Saturday’s hosts will be wary of another humiliation in front on their supporters.
Kelty Hearts Scottish League Cup form:
Kelty Hearts form (all competitions):
Hibernian Scottish League Cup form:
Hibernian form (all competitions):
Team News
Scott Williamson made an instant impression on his full debut for Kelty Hearts against Elgin City and will be keen to pick up where he left off.
Goalkeeper Ruairidh Adams also made his bow for the hosts in the aforementioned game and is expected to feature right from the off once again.
Hibernian’s Martin Boyle was on target for the third successive game last time out, making the Australian one to keep a close watch on here.
Twenty-seven-year-old Chris Cadden is still unavailable for the visitors due to a muscle injury which saw him miss the win over Queen’s Park.
Since returning from his loan spell at Stirling, Rudi Allan-Molotnikov has nailed down a starting berth as he prepares to start for the fourth time in five games.
Kelty Hearts possible starting lineup:
Adams; Paterson, Flatman, O’Ware, Owens; Miller, Allan, Brown; McCarvel, Williamson, Moore
Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Bursik; Miller, Ekpiteta, O’Hora, Obita; Boyle, Moriah-Welsh; Campbell, Newell, Allan-Molotnikov; Vente
We say: Kelty Hearts 1-4 Hibernian
Hibernian have had little trouble scoring of late and we see them enjoying another field day in front of goal this weekend en route to a comfortable win at the end of the 90 minutes.
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