Scottish Round Up

We start our lower league round-up in Scotland in League One, where Montrose look well placed to strike at Aidrie this weekend.

Just four points separate the pair in the divison at the moment, with Aidrie (one place lower) boasting the marginally better goal difference. Aidrie have hardly made the Excelsior Stadium a fortress this season - winning just three of their 13 home games this season - extending to five from 18 if including cup matches. So far their pair have won one each this season against one-another.

Airdie come into this one without a win in seven, and have gone down tamely to Stenhousmuir and Brechin 1-0 apiece in that run which have to be considered poor results.

Montrose have lost four of their last seven themselves, but those have included Raith and Dundee Utd, while slightly longer term they have actually won seven of their last 14.

I'd strongly favour the visitors on a neutral venue, so despite playing away in this one the 5/2 with Bet Victor looks great value.

2pts Montrose to win at Aidrie at 5/2 (Bet Victor)

In League Two, Stirling head to Cowdenbeath, and it's a league which has never really had a great home advantage. This season there have been 55 home homes, 22 draws and 49 away wins. (43.6%,17.5%, 38.9%) so backing an away side shouldn't overly concern us. In fact, backing teams to win overall has been a pretty good way of doing business such has been the absence of draws.

Stirling are 6/5 to win this one against a side who have won just once in seven and three times in 13 now. In that extended run two of the wins came against division whipping boys Berwick (-42 GD) and Albion (-44).

Stirling have lost their last three, but two of those came against Clyde (1-0) and Peterhead (1-0) so there is no shame at all, and prior to that they had won six from seven.

They are a confident selction here.

2pts Stirling to win at Cowdenbeath at 11/10 (General)

Finally, Annan Athletic have to be backed to beat Queens Park despite being odds-on pokes this weekend. Neither will end up with much to play for this season such are the quality of those above Annan, and those below Queens Park, but there is a gulf between these sides.

Take out the top-three in the division who have been imperious at this level, and Annan would have a 11-5-2 WDL record and 38 points. The same for Queens Park would have yielded 4-7-5 for just 19 points.

Recent form wise, Annan have now won seven from 10, including wins over Peterhead, Edinburgh City and a draw against Clyde. That's some serious form right there, and they will expect to beat Queens Park.

The visitors have won just once in 15 now, and that was a win over Berwick. They look there for the taking and this could be quite one-sided.

2pts Annan to beat Queens Park at 4/5 (Betfred, Hills)

1pt Annan (-1) at 21/10 (General)

#Football