Are we set for Cowdenbeath survival or East Kilbride promotion?
Published:
Lowland League champions East Kilbride overcame Highland counterparts Buckie Thistle with a 3-2 aggregate triumph, to set up an enticing pyramid play-off against League 2 Cowdenbeath.
But will the Kilby be strong enough to book their place in the Ladbrokes SPFL next season, or can the Blue Brazil do enough to stave off a third successive relegation?
Here’s what the Ladbrokes News team think…
EK are a strong side. There’s no denying that – especially when it comes to their defence. Martin Lauchlan’s men conceded just 21 goals in the Lowland League this season – less than half the number shipped by runners-up East Stirlingshire.
But they were arguably a little fortunate to edge past Buckie Thistle of the Highland League in the pair’s play-off, with the Jags having led 2-0 on aggregate at one point, before eventually slipping to a 4-3 defeat over two legs.
They did beat Cowden 1-0 in the Scottish Cup earlier this term, but despite ending the season in bottom spot, the Blue Brazil have improved of late.
Gary Locke’s men have now lost just one of their last six games, a run which has included victory over Clyde and a 3-0 rout of Stirling Albion at Forthbank.
With the likes of Kevin Renton and Dale Carrick also rediscovering their scoring form in the past two months, the Kilby defence could finally have met their match.
As for the Fife outfit’s defence, they’ve only conceded four goals in the last eight games – meaning their opponents could struggle to find the net, especially at Central Park.
It’s East Kilbride who host the first leg, with odds of 17/10 for a home win, while Cowden are 13/10 to triumph on the night, and it’s 12/5 for the draw.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
