cinch Championship – Dundee v Arbroath (Friday – 7:45pm)
Live Friday night cinch Championship football returns to BBC Scotland this evening, with a blockbuster clash at Dens as title hopefuls Dundee welcome last season’s surprise package, Arbroath.
New man at the Dundee helm Gary Bowyer has made a noticeable impact at his new club. The Dee have implemented an easy on the eye, possession-based style which saw them progress from Premier Sports Cup Group H as table toppers, winning all four games. The start to the league campaign has been mixed. A disappointing opening-day defeat against Partick Thistle followed up by a solid 1-0 win at Stark’s Park over Raith Rovers. Three points tonight would move Dundee to the top of the table ahead of the rest of the weekend’s Championship fixtures. A huge incentive!
2021/22 was an incredible season for all involved at Arbroath. Narrowly missing out on the cinch Championship title to Kilmarnock, before eventually losing in the play-offs. Many have questioned whether Dick Campbell’s part-time side would be able to replicate last season’s valiant efforts this time round. However, a superb showing in Premier Sports Cup Group E saw the Lichties take maximum points, setting up a second-round clash with Partick Thistle. Arbroath’s unbeaten start to the season has continued into the league campaign with 0-0 draws against Ayr and Caley Thistle. An away win at Dens would be a huge statement of intent from the Lichties!
cinch League 1 – Clyde v Kelty Hearts (Saturday – 3:00pm)
Two teams with differing fortunes face off in cinch League 1, as divisional newcomers Kelty Hearts travel to Hamilton to take on a rejuvenated and in-form Clyde side.
It has been an interesting summer at Clyde, as Danny Lennon has prepared his side for third consecutive season in League 1, with many of last season’s squad being moved on in favour of a new-look set-up. Recruitment has taken the form of signing SPFL stalwarts such as Peter Grant, Kurtis Roberts and the returning Ray Grant alongside relative unknowns from outside the SPFL. A disappointing Premier Sports Cup campaign has been followed by a promising start to league action. A thumping 4-1 win away to Queen of the South and a solid 2-2 draw with Peterhead see the Bully Wee sitting third after MD2. Can Clyde keep up their early-season momentum?
Since joining the SPFL pyramid in 2021, life at New Central Park has been nigh on perfect. The Maroon Machine romped to the cinch League 2 title in their maiden SPFL season, securing the club’s third consecutive promotion. However, a summer of change has seen manager Kevin Thomson move on and be replaced by former Pars boss John Potter. The majority of Kelty’s league-winning side has remained intact, though Kelty won just one of their Premier Sports Cup group games and are yet to register a point in their opening two league games. Three points on Saturday could be all that is needed to get the feel-good train back on track.
cinch League 2 – Dumbarton v Annan Athletic (Saturday – 3:00pm)
It’s early days, but it’s always a big deal when a division’s second and third-placed sides face off!
Sons will have been bitterly disappointed to suffer relegation to cinch League 2 via the play-offs last season. Although, despite the lingering emotions, relegation offers a club the opportunity to start again and build for better. It’s been a busy summer at the Rock, with boss Stevie Farrell opting for proven SPFL experience as he builds a squad which will hopefully challenge for the league title. Declan Byrne & Ryan Wallace will provide much-needed firepower, while defender Martin McNiff and goalkeeper Brett Long will help to shore up the rearguard. Two wins from the opening two games show the Sons mean business. Will they make it a hat-trick this weekend?
After another season of play-off disappointment, the Galabankies quickly dusted themselves off and started prepping for the next campaign. The loss of midfield maestro Owen Moxon to Carlisle United was a bitter blow, but Annan recruited well and put in an outstanding showing in the Premier Sports Cup group stages. They became the first, and only League 2 side to reach the last 16 since the introduction of the group stage in 2016/17 and face Aberdeen later this month! Momentum is on the side of the Galabankies and they will fully believe they can mount a serious title challenge this season. Despite a disappointing opening-day loss at Stranraer, last week’s home win over Stenhousemuir will have Peter Murphy’s side heading to Dumbarton with the confidence they can leave with all three points.
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