Preview: Annan Athletic vs. Aberdeen - prediction, team news, lineups

Both teams won their respective groups in order to reach this stage of the competition, but they have had opposite levels of form coming into this one.

Match preview

Annan Athletic head into this match on the back of a 2-2 draw in their Scottish League Two match against Albion Rovers in a game that featured a frantic finish.

Peter Murphy saw his team concede in the 91st minute to seemingly lose the game 2-1, yet just one minute later substitute Benjamin Luissint stepped up to score an equaliser that takes them into this match with slightly more confidence.

Annan Athletic have only won once this season in the league, which is concerning form that has left them just above the foot of the table by a single point.

Therefore the distraction of playing in the Scottish League Cup is something that might be welcome from the squad, allowing them to compete with a little more freedom.

Annan won all four of their group stage games earlier in the competition, albeit with two of those taking place via a penalty shootout, and they will be aiming to continue that this weekend.

The hosts will have to be at their absolute best if they stand any chance of getting a result on Tuesday night as Aberdeen head into the game in good form as they currently sit third in the SPL table.

Jim Goodwin's men have been impressive in the opening five matches of their league campaign, winning three of those while also being beaten twice.

Their latest victory took place on Saturday and saw their best performance to date as they comfortably defeated Livingston by five goals to nil.

Bojan Miovski continued his strong start to the season by scoring a brace, while the Dons will also take confidence from the fact it was their second clean sheet in a row.

Aberdeen dominated in the group stage of this competition by winning every game without letting in a single goal, and that should provide plenty of confidence to the group for this one.

Annan Athletic Scottish League Cup form:

Annan Athletic form (all competitions):

Aberdeen Scottish League Cup form:

Aberdeen form (all competitions):

Team News

Max Kilsby has been an impressive signing for Annan Athletic after joining the club on loan from Carlisle United, and he should retain his place in the team on Tuesday.

Tommy Goss is likely to be leading the line for the hosts in this game as a lone striker, particularly after scoring at the weekend.

The visitors will likely make several changes to the starting lineup that comfortably defeated Livingston at the weekend in order to rest certain members of the squad, while providing minutes to others.

The Dons do also head into this one with a couple of players on the shelf as Callum Roberts and Connor Barron are dealing with a hamstring and knee problem respectively.

Annan Athletic possible starting lineup:

Fleming; Hooper, Kilsby, Swinglehurst, Williamson; Lowdon, Docherty, Hunter, Wallace, Johnston; Goss

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:

Lewis; Richardson, Stewart, Scales, Coulson; Polvara, McCrorie; Kennedy, Besuijen, Hayes; Ramirez

We say: Annan Athletic 0-3 Aberdeen

Considering the gap between these two teams in the football pyramid, Aberdeen will be the heavy favourites on Tuesday as they are expected to secure a comfortable victory.

The squad heads into this one in great form as well, which will only help the Dons in what should be a routine win for them.

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