Stenhousemuir vs Partick Thistle Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Partick Thistle dropped in to the second tier last season, after losing to Livingston in the play-off final. That ended their spell in the Premiership, but returning at the first time of asking will be their goal this time around. Their new season kicks off at League One opposition this time around, as Partick head to Stenhousemuir in their opening League Cup clash. Can they start off the 2018/19 campaign with a victory, or are their problems just beginning?

The hosts have just claimed a place in the third tier, after last season’s play-off victory. That sets them up with a very different level of morale ahead of their new season getting under way. While they are massive outsiders for this weekend’s game, they’ll expect to put in a strong showing against a side who were in the top flight last season, and the top six of the Premiership just 15 months ago.

This has been a mighty fall from grace for the visitors, who will be aiming to live up to their favourites’ tag. They’re heavily backed to claim three points and start their season off with a bang, but can they secure the points in style? They’ll be expected to impress against the League One new boys, but the hosts did hit 1.78 goals per game at home last term.

The problem for Stenhousemuir is a lack of a track record in this competition. They’re without a victory in 10 matches in the League Cup, after claiming just two points during last season’s group stage campaign. They have lost nine of those 10 winless matches, so we’re expecting another defeat for the hosts this weekend. Their chances don’t look that great, given that Partick have won four of five in this competition, including both of their trips last term, while they went through the group stage unbeaten 12 months ago.

We fancy Partick to win and start their season off strongly. However, they’re far too short to back for a victory. We think an away win with over 1.5 goals scored in the match is the best way to go. Partick have scored 21 times in six meetings with Stenhousemuir, while they haven’t failed to score twice in their four recent trips to this ground. The hosts saw over 1.5 goals in 86% of their league games last season, and after a string of heavy League Cup defeats, that bet looks fantastically well priced.