Preview: Ayr United vs. Elgin City - prediction, team news, lineups

In their previous outing, Ayr were defeated 2-0 by Queen's Park in a top-of-the-table clash in the Championship while Elgin come into this game in slightly jagged form after their 1-1 draw against Albion Rovers in League Two.

Match preview

Ayr have enjoyed a terrific start to the Scottish Championship this season as they currently sit second in the league level on points with Dundee in third.

With Queen's Park dropping points in two games in a row, Ayr were only a point off the league leaders and had the opportunity to climb above their opponents into the guaranteed promotion position at the pinnacle of the table.

However, Ayr were unable to capitalise on this opportunity as Dominic Thomas gave Queen's Park the lead from a penalty in the 59th minute which was soon compounded by an own goal by Nicholas McAllister, separating the sides by two goals at the final whistle giving Queen's Park a four-point cushion at the top of the league.

Ayr's strength this season has been their ability to clinically finish their chances, with Dipo Akinyemi being the joint top scorer in the league having dispatched 15 so far this season.

The home side will come into this game with plenty of confidence that they can get the job done against League Two opposition as they have a good recent record against their opponents, having won both of their previous two matches against Elgin.

Meanwhile, Elgin have been battling it out for a place in the top four of Scottish League Two this season for promotion playoff qualification, currently occupying the fifth position in the league and being one point away from Forfar Athletic in fourth.

In their last game, Elgin snatched a 1-1 draw against Albion Rovers after converting from the penalty spot to equalise in the 73rd minute.

It has been the inability to sustain a strong period of form that has gone against the League Two side this season, as they have been unable to defeat sides such as Albion Rovers, but have showcased the ability to beat sides above them in the league.

Although, without a clean sheet in five games Gavin Price will be desperate for a strong defensive performance against Championship opposition.

It is likely that Elgin will set up in a compact shape to guard the penalty area against dangerous attacks and will look for moments such as set pieces to create opportunities to score goals.

Ayr United Scottish Cup form:

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Ayr United form (all competitions):

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L

Elgin City Scottish Cup form:

W

Elgin City form (all competitions):

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L

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D

Team News

Ayr are expected to make five changes to the side that was deployed in the 2-0 defeat to Queen's Park in their last match.

Aidan McAdams is expected to replace Charlie Albinson in goal due to this game being a cup match, while Jordan Houston could replace Patrick Reading at left-back.

Mikey Hewitt will be replaced by Sam Ashford to partner Ben Dempsey and Reece McAlear in the midfield three.

Jayden Mitchell-Lawson and Joshua Mullin are also set to be rested in this game, with Mark McKenzie and Daire O'Connor to start on either side of Dipo Akinyemi.

Elgin are expected to remain with the side that drew against Albion Rovers last weekend in full strength in order to compete with Ayr.

Kane Hester will lead the line for Elgin due to the forward being their biggest threat as the 27-year-old has scored 15 times this season.

Ayr United possible starting lineup:

McAdams; McAllister, Kirk, McGinty, Houston; Ashford, Dempsey, McAlear; McKenzie, Akinyemi, O'Connor

Elgin City possible starting lineup:

McHale; Mailer, Dolzanski, Draper, Towler; McHardy; Dingwall, Cameron, MacEwan, Taylor; Hester

We say: Ayr United 3-0 Elgin City

We believe that Ayr will simply be too strong for their opposition at home and will comfortably coast to a 3-0 victory.

Ayr's attacking threat will likely be too much to handle for a lower-league side who have recently struggled to keep the opposition from their own level from scoring, leading them to once again suffer defeat.

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