Falkirk sit second in Scottish League Cup Group G after a win and a defeat in their first two games and the Bairns should keep their hopes of making the knockout stage alive with victory at Alloa Athletic on Tuesday.
Falkirk finished sixth in the Premiership last season so were expected to progress out of a group containing Alloa from League One, Ayr of the Championship and Stranraer and Edinburgh City from League Two.
With Ayr top after an impressive three wins from three, including a 1-0 success at Falkirk, second place in the section may be the best John McGlynn's side can manage in the first stage of the cup.
And while that could be enough to progress as one of the three best-placed runners-up, there are no guarantees and the Bairns must win on Tuesday to still stand a chance.
Alloa, meanwhile, lost to Edinburgh City and drew with Stranraer, although they did win the penalty shoot-out in their second game to secure a bonus point.
Alloa Athletic v Falkirk Tips Summary
Best Bet - Falkirk to win to nil @ 1/1
Alternative Bet - Over 2.5 Falkirk goals @ 1/1
Bet Builder - Falkirk/Falkirk in Half-time/Full-time and Falkirk to win 4-0 @ 12/1
Alloa Athletic v Falkirk Prediction
Best Bet - Falkirk to win to nil @ 1/1
Falkirk kicked off their League Cup Group schedule with an easy 5-0 win at League Two strugglers Edinburgh City, while Alloa lost 2-0 to the same opponents.
The very different outcomes of those ties may offer a strong hint as to how Tuesday's clash at Recreation Park will go with the visitors expected to ease to a comfortable win without conceding.
Falkirk's second game in the group was a a disappointing 1-0 home loss to Ayr but they still have a chance of progressing to the knockout stage if they pick up all three points this week.
Alloa responded to the Edinburgh City setback by drawing 2-2 with Stranraer then winning on penalties, but that was against a side from the tier below and they are now preparing to take on one from two divisions above.
There should be a distinct gulf in class and Falkirk, who beat Belgian team Genk 1-0 in a friendly over the weekend, should be able to record an important win while keeping Alloa out.
Alternative Bet - Over 2.5 Falkirk goals @ 1/1
Falkirk demonstrated their goal-getting ability against weaker opponents when hitting Edinburgh City for five in the first group clash so they should be capable of scoring at least three against third tier Alloa.
Athletic were beaten 3-0 in a friendly by Livingston at the end of June - another indication of their current level as they were outclassed by a team who finished rock-bottom of the Premiership last season.
While the Bairns will also have been frustrated by the narrow defeat to Ayr in Group G, the eye-catching positive result against Genk at the weekend means they approach Tuesday's game in good spirits.
Alloa Athletic v Falkirk Bet Builder Tip
Falkirk/Falkirk in Half-time/Full-time
Falkirk to win 4-0
Pays 12/1
Falkirk should have far too much for Alloa and a comfortable away win seems likely with the visitors already in charge by half-time.
They were 4-0 up at Edinburgh City by the break and having a punt on that being the final score on Tuesday significantly boosts the odds.
Falkirk are in need of a victory after they suffered the setback against Ayr in the second group game and they are expected to punish their inferior opponents.
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Key Match Stats
After being promoted, Falkirk finished sixth in the Scottish Premiership last season
Alloa Athletic finished fourth in League One in 2025-26, but failed to go up in the play-offs
Falkirk beat Edinburgh City 5-0 in the first League Cup group game before losing 1-0 to Ayr United
Alloa lost 2-0 to Edinburgh in their group opener, then beat Stranraer on penalties after a 2-2 draw
Falkirk have won five of the last six meetings between the sides with the other being a draw
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
