Inverness v Ross County
Tuesday 27th October – Kickoff: 1905hrs
Football – Scotland – League Cup
The Highland Derby may not carry the same feeling or garner as much attention as some of the more glamorous fixtures in Britain, but it means an awful lot of both sets of supporters and is often a very attractive game to watch. The two clubs meet again, this time in the quarter-final of the League Cup – the first time the two have met in the competition in 11 seasons.
As is so often the case for team’s who compete in the early stages of European competition, particularly when not used to it, Inverness have been inconsistent in the first part of the season. John Hughes’ men only played one tie Europa League qualifying, but the earlier than normal return to pre-season, coupled with the interrupted preparation for the league campaign, has resulted in Caley falling short of the standards they set in previous seasons. Three league wins from 12 games means they are sitting amongst the bottom six and five points behind their Highland rivals. The manager will be hoping that a good performance and result on Tuesday can act as a catalyst for an upturn in their league form.
Having navigated their way to Premiership survival courtesy of a tremendous run of form which seen Ross County win 10 of their last 14 league games. Jim McIntyre’s men have picked up where they left off and have accumulated 18 points from their first 12 games. County have been particularly strong at home – winning four out of six in the league – but their form away from home will be a concern for the manager. Their only away win this term came back in August and they too will be looking at the change in competition will bring with it a change in fortune on the road.
Hughes has had to replace several key players from the team who won the Scottish Cup and third place finish in the league. Graeme Shinnie and Marley Watkins were pivotal to those successes but have left for pastures new. Miles Storey, signed on-loan from Swindon is certainly doing his best to replace the latter of those two having scored three goals in his first six games.
Due to no European commitments of their own, County have played two games in this competition so far, easing to victory at home to lower-level opposition on both occasions. Liam Boyce has scored four in two League Cup games and will be his side’s biggest threat on Tuesday having been excellent throughout the whole of 2015. Boyce also scored when these sides last at the beginning of October.
Inverness v Ross County Betting Tips
Both clubs suffered disappointing defeats in the league at the weekend, but there is no doubt that this quarter-final would have been somewhere in their thoughts. Having met as recently as three weeks ago – and considering the number of clashes between the two – the two managers will be well aware of the challenge that awaits them.
Hughes likes his team to play a more possession-based game whilst his opposite number prefers to play in a more direct fashion. The different styles seem to make for good entertainment, and very often close affairs. The last five meetings have had both teams scoring and only one two of the last 12 have ended with any more than a goal between the two sides.
Taking that into account, both teams to score looks a sensible play. The fact that it is in the cup should also lead to more attacking intent from the two teams.
Both teams to score 10/11 @ William Hill
