Alloa vs Dundee

Looking to maintain their 100% record in the competition, Alloa Athletic host Dundee in the Scottish League Cup at Recreation Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Wasps picked up an impressive victory at home versus Montrose last time out, whereas the Dark Blues endured a difficult match with second-tier Airdrieonians.

Match preview

After missing out on a place in the Scottish League One playoffs by just two points during the 2024-25 campaign, Alloa Athletic are aiming to put a sobering end to last term behind them quickly, with Saturday’s hosts making an excellent start to life in the League Cup.

A jaunt to League Two outfit Bonnyrigg Rose was first on the agenda last weekend, when a second-minute strike from Luke Rankin was enough for success, before the Wasps secured back-to-back successes in the competition courtesy of a 2-1 triumph over Montrose.

The visitors at Recreation Park threatened to snatch a share of the honours from the contest thanks to Kerr Waddell‘s goal following Cameron O’Donnell’s opener, but Alloa regained control of the match with 30 minutes to go through the effort of Kurtis Roberts.

After two matches in the section, the Wasps are currently occupying second spot in the Group C standings with two wins from as many games, level on points with Championship side Airdrieonians, who sit top courtesy of their superior goal difference.

Despite a saddening conclusion to the 2024-25 season, Andy Graham‘s troops have commenced competitive action in this term admirably and should be confident of another maximum on Saturday, especially considering that they are in the midst of a three-game winning run at Recreation Park stretching back to late March.

Despite taking the club to a top-half finish during his first term and guiding them away from relegation in 2024-25, Tony Docherty was relieved of his Dundee duties before the start of the summer, with former Coventry City and Falkirk boss Steven Pressley now in charge.

The 51-year-old experienced a reality check during his maiden competitive outing in the dugout, with the Premiership Dark Blues losing at the base of second-tier Airdrieonians, as a first-half strike from Chris Mochrie sealed three points.

As a result, the highest-ranked team in the section are languishing down in fourth spot with zero points after their first fixture, and with both the Diamonds and Alloa making perfect starts, Dundee know that there is little room for further error in Group C.

Struggling against Airdrieonians last time out at the top end of the pitch, Dark Blues captain Simon Murray provided the goals that fired his side away from relegation during the 2024-25 season, with the 33-year-old netting 16 times across 38 Premiership appearances.

Similar to a host of their top-tier competitors in Scotland, Dundee have recruited heavily from South of the border over the summer transfer window to date, with Ashley Hay and Tony Yogane arriving from Brentford, whilst midfielder Callum Jones was signed from Hull City earlier this week.

Alloa Athletic Scottish League Cup form: W W

Dundee Scottish League Cup form: L

Team News

Alloa have added Champions League experience to their ranks in recent days, with midfielder Andrew Clarke joining from Linfield in Northern Ireland.

However, it remains to be seen whether the new number seven makes his debut, with the Wasps unlikely to change a side which picked up victory over Montrose last time out.

Making his maiden competitive start for Dundee since moving on loan from Mexican side Monterrey, Cesar Garza could play again for the visitors on Saturday afternoon.

Switching League Two Barrow for the Dark Blues this summer, Emile Acquah should join talisman Murray in a two-man forward line.

Despite failing to keep a clean sheet last time out, Dundee could stick with a centre-back pairing of Ryan Astley and Billy Koumetio. 

Alloa Athletic possible starting lineup:

McFarlane; Foster, McKay, Taggart, Waters; Scougall, Roberts, O’Donnell; Buchanan, Orsi, Rankin

Dundee possible starting lineup:

Carson; Ingram, Astley, Koumetio, Graham; Robertson, Digby, Garza, Yogane; Acquah, Murray

We say: Alloa Athletic 1-1 Dundee

On the hunt for a third straight victory, Alloa are full of confidence and will not be fearing the visit of Premiership opposition to Recreation Park.

Dundee are still getting used to a host of new signings and Pressley’s tactics, meaning that an away point should be welcomed this weekend.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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