Hamiltonvs.Ross County

sportsmole.co.uk, 21 July 2024, 21:47

On Tuesday, second-tier side Hamilton Academical will play host to Scottish Premiership club Ross County in a Scottish League Cup contest.

The home side are in third place with four points to their name, while the visitors are two points better off in second position in Group H.

Match preview

Hamilton have returned to the second tier after they beat Alloa Athletic and Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Championship playoffs.

However, before they begin their Championship campaign, the Accies will attempt to reach the League Cup knockout rounds for the first time since the 2019-20 season.

They began the 2024-25 edition with a goalless draw against fourth-tier Stirling Albion, before they missed out on the bonus point with a defeat in the subsequent penalty shootout.

However, John Rankin's side produced a stronger performance in Saturday's away game against Stranraer, with Steven Bradley, Kyle MacDonald and Euan Henderson finding the net in a commanding 3-0 victory.

They will now turn their focus to their first meeting with Ross County since prevailing in a penalty shootout in a Scottish Cup tie in January 2023.

Ross County will compete in the Scottish Premiership this season after they retained their top-flight status via the relegation playoffs.

The Staggies claimed a resounding 6-1 aggregate win over Raith Rovers to extend their top-flight stay into a sixth consecutive campaign.

Before they begin their league campaign with an away clash against Motherwell on August 3, Ross County will try to progress to the League Cup knockout rounds for a third consecutive season.

Don Cowie's side have made a promising start to the group phase, recording a 3-1 win over Stranraer before beating Raith Rovers 2-1 in Saturday's home fixture thanks to George Harmon's 87th-minute winner.

The Staggies remain behind group leaders Raith Rovers on goals scored, but a positive result on Tuesday would move them to the top of the standings with one game left to play against Stirling Albion.

Hamilton Academical Scottish League Cup form:

Ross County Scottish League Cup form:

Team News

Hamilton defender Fergus Owens will miss the entire 2024-25 season after suffering a knee injury in pre-season.

Ben Williamson was forced off in the first half of Saturday's win over Stranraer, making him an obvious doubt for Tuesday's home fixture.

Kevin O'Hara will offer one of the home side's main goal threats after finishing the 2023-24 season with 20 goals in 45 competitive appearances.

As for the visitors, they are still unable to call upon Will Nightingale and Max Sheaf due to knee and thigh injuries respectively.

Defender Michee Efete is pushing for a starting berth after featuring as a substitute in the two matches against Stranraer and Raith Rovers.

Jordan White has scored three goals in the first two League Cup games, and he will look to continue his fine form when he resumes his forward partnership with Eamonn Brophy.

Hamilton Academical possible starting lineup:

Lyness; MacDonald, Kilday, McGinty, Hendrie; Maguire, Barjonas; Bradley, Shaw, Henderson; O'Hara

Ross County possible starting lineup:

Laidlaw; Efete, Wright, Lamie; Brown, Randall, Loturi, Harmon; Telfer; Brophy, White

We say: Hamilton Academical 1-2 Ross County

Previews by email

Read full version: https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/hamilton-academical/scottish-league-cup/preview/preview-hamilton-vs-ross-county-prediction-team-news-lineups_548696.html

2019
Academica
Alloa Athletic
Ben Williamson
Championship
Don Cowie
Eamonn Brophy
Euan Henderson
Fergus Owens
George Harmon
Hamilton
Hamilton Academical
Henderson
Inverness Caledonian Thistle
John
John Rankin
Jordan White
Kevin OHara
Kyle MacDonald
League Cup
lineups
Max Sheaf
Michee Efete
Pena
Performance
Play
possible lineups
predicted scorelines
prediction
Premiership
Ross County
Scottish Championship
Scottish Premiership
Steven Bradley
Stirling Albion
Stranraer
Will Nightingale

Top News

17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Record Women's Champions League winners Lyon Women will travel to Germany for Tuesday's quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich Women. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea's priority in the summer is said to be the purchase of a new striker, while a new winger is also expected to join the club. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich have reportedly decided bid for Manchester United winger Antony, who is currently on loan at Spanish side Real Betis. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal Women will travel to the Spanish capital for Tuesday's Women's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid Femenino at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano. 16 March 2025 talksport.com "It's all for these fans. They deserve everything." 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly identified Wolfsburg defender Konstantinos Koulierakis as a replacement for Virgil van Dijk should he leave Anfield. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk In a match that could have ramifications for both the National League's chase for promotion and relegation battle, Gateshead are set to host Braintree Town at Gateshead International Stadium on Tuesday. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona fought back from two goals behind to record a stunning 4-2 victory over title rivals Atletico Madrid in Sunday night's La Liga contest at Wanda Metropolitano. 16 March 2025 talksport.com Micah Richards could not resist joining in with Newcastle hero Dan Burn's Carabao Cup final celebrations. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has admitted that "it's hard to know" the extent of Ayden Heaven's injury at this stage of proceedings, with the centre-back set to be assessed by the club's medical stuff next week. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Eddie Howe has told Sports Mole that some of his "iconic" Newcastle United players will go on to establish themselves as club "legends" after steering the Magpies to EFL Cup glory in Sunday's final against Liverpool. 16 March 2025 talksport.com Leicester's defeat to Manchester United sees them set an unwanted Premier League record as their season goes from bad to worse. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho both ended long goalscoring droughts in Manchester United's 3-0 victory over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Sunday night. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah suffered an unwanted personal first during the Reds' 2-1 loss to Newcastle United in the final of the 2024-25 EFL Cup at Wembley. 16 March 2025 talksport.com Mohamed Salah endured one of his most difficult afternoons in Liverpool colours during their heartbreaking Carabao Cup final defeat. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has told Sports Mole that he would rather get straight back into action next week as opposed to waiting for the international break to end following his side's gut-wrenching EFL Cup final loss to Newcastle United. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Eddie Howe's Newcastle United side wrote themselves into club history at Wembley on Sunday courtesy of a famous 2-1 triumph over Liverpool in the EFL Cup final. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United defender Ayden Heaven has suffered a potentially-serious injury during Sunday's Premier League clash with Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. 16 March 2025 talksport.com A bottom-half finish in the Premier League could be rewarded with a European berth. 16 March 2025 talksport.com Bruno Guimaraes was unable to control his emotions after helping Newcastle end their 70-year trophy drought. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle have won their first major domestic trophy since 1955 courtesy of a deserved 2-1 victory over a limp and lifeless Liverpool side at Wembley. 16 March 2025 talksport.com Newcastle have ended their 70-year wait for a domestic trophy with a stunning Carabao Cup final victory against Liverpool. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly put a €70m (£59m) offer on the table for Barcelona attacker Raphinha. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has been passed fit for Sunday's Premier League clash against Leicester City, while Mason Mount is on the bench for the 20-time English champions at the King Power Stadium. 16 March 2025 talksport.com Mikel Arteta has walked out of another post-match interview, but this time he was only joking. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Six clubs are reportedly in the running for Lille forward Jonathan David, with the Canada international set to become a free transfer at the end of June. 16 March 2025 talksport.com Mathys Tel urged Tottenham fans to remain behind the team in a heated conversation with angry fans after yet another defeat. 16 March 2025 talksport.com Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney hailed Wycombe Wanderers as a 'beautiful organisation' following their rapid response to a fan who was taken ill. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United attacker Antony has suggested that he wants to complete a permanent move to a team in Spain this summer amid suggestions that Real Betis and Real Sociedad could go head-to-head for his signature. 16 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou has said that he understands the frustrations of the club's supporters following Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage.