Motherwell and St Johnstone meet in Perth on Saturday with the winner taking a place in the last eight of the League Cup.
The home side may be a division below the visitors but they are the seeded team in this second round tie. The competition is now in full knockout mode with extra-time and penalties available if needed.
St Johnstone will be in good heart having secured a fine start to their Championship campaign. The 6-1 aggregate wins over Partick Thistle and Ross County have placed them on top of the table and they will be eager to take the scalp of a Premiership team.
Simo Valakari has overseen a host of departures over the summer and strengthened his squad with some experienced imports. Stevie Mallon, Sam Stanton and Jack Baird will join a trusted number that were part of last season’s relegated group. The Perth faithful will anticipate a successful campaign and many will expect a win on Saturday.
Motherwell fans now know what to expect under the command of Jens Berthel Askou. The team will play a positive attacking style based around passing the ball from back to front. When the opportunity arises an occasional long forward ball will keep the opposition guessing.
The style is pleasing to the eye but, as yet, short of the telling finish. Maybe the windfall from Lennon Miller’s departure will help the manager fill the lack of striking options at his disposal.
Johnny Koutroumbis limped off the Paisley pitch last weekend and he will be assessed before the starting eleven is selected. Ibrahim Said was given a first start against St Mirren before Apostolos Stamatelopoulos replaced him for the last twenty minutes. Their roles may be reversed on Saturday.
Despite the host’s good start to the season Motherwell’s confidence in their free flowing game should be enough to see them in the draw for the next round. 2-0 to the Mighty ‘Well.
Remember the last visit to McDiarmid Park?
