Perhaps the most interesting tie of the round is the one taking place at the Almondvale this evening, as Livingston entertain St. Johnstone. Having suffered heavy defeats in the league in the last two weeks, the Saints will hope to give their season a boost with a win. Times have changed for the Saints, though they can take heart from the fact that the last time these two teams met, on the opening day of the season, they won 2:0. Livingston are cruising, not having lost in five games. Dundee and Partick Thistle meet in the clash of the top two teams in the First Division. Both sides are undefeated in the league so far and only one point separates the sides. Dunfermline must be favourites in their fixture against Alloa, a team still looking for their first win the Second Division. Clyde meet up with Hamilton, the team to which they lost three of the four meetings in the First Division last year. Clyde have been struggling in the league so far while Hamilton have exceeded most pundit's expectations with solid performances in the SPL that saw them top of the table until their defeat to Kilmarnock this past weekend. Nevertheless, expect a Hamilton win.
There are four SPL sides in this evening's fixtures. Dundee United travel to Cowdenbeath, a side currently leading the Third Division with nine points from four games. Somewhat ominously for the Blue Brazil, Dundee United have scored four goals in each of the last four meetings between the sides, but the good news is that the last of those wins was in this same competition in 1995 (although Cowdenbeath inflicted a 6:1 and 6:0 defeats on the Terrors back in 1959). Falkirk make the short journey to Kircaldy to play Raith Rovers. Falkirk are not getting the rub of the green at the moment, their attractive play not translating into victories. Their heavy 3:0 defeat to Celtic at the weekend was not without controversy, and Falkirk manager John Hughes will be hoping to put aside his frustrations with a victory against Raith Rovers. Raith will be without captain Ian Davidson (suspended) while Falkirk will have to make do without Russell Latapy, injured in Saturdays clash with Celtic. Hibernian welcome Morton to Easter Road as they hope to emulate their CIS Cup win two years ago. Morton are second bottom in the First Division having lost to Dundee at the weekend, while Hibs drew 1:1 with Inverness. The last of the SPL sides in action this evening is St. Mirren who take on Third Division side Dumbarton at Love Street. Dumbarton have a lot of injury worries ahead of tonights game as Mick Dunlop, Mark Canning and strikers Derek Carcary are all out, while Andy Geggan is suspended for this game following his sending-off in the last round against Annan Athletic. St. Mirren's main worry will be the referee: the Buddies have been having a torrid time of it lately, with Gus McPherson speaking out again about the ref's performance after their defeat to Hearts at the weekend.
The fixture list in full then, is as follows:
Cowdenbeath vs Dundee Utd
Dundee vs Partick
Dunfermline vs Alloa
Hamilton vs Clyde
Hibernian vs Morton
Livingston vs St Johnstone
Raith vs Falkirk
St Mirren vs Dumbarton
All games kick off at 19:45 and we'll have all the results, as well as a preview to the remaining CIS Cup games tomorrow.
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