St Mirren needed to come through the play-offs to preserve their Scottish Premiership status last season, but the highlight of their campaign was beating Celtic in the League Cup final.
The Buddies made their way past Dumbarton 4-0 in their opening game last week and will be confident they can build upon that by beating Cove Rangers.
Their opponents would have finished third from bottom in League One last season had it not been for Hamilton's 21-point deduction.
They will be looking for a stronger finish this time and their confidence will have been boosted by the 3-2 victory they posted over East Kilbride last week.
Cove Rangers v St Mirren Tips Summary
Best Bet - St Mirren to win to nil @ 6/4
Alternative Bet - St Mirren/St Mirren - Half-time/Full-time @ 20/21
Bet Builder - Under 4.5 goals & St Mirren -1 on handicap @ 2/1
Cove Rangers v St Mirren Prediction
Best Bet: St Mirren to win to nil @ 6/4
There were joyous scenes at Hampden Park when St Mirren upset the odds to beat Celtic 3-1 in last season's Scottish League Cup final and they should be able to continue their strong defence of the crown.
They eased to a 4-0 win at Dumbarton last week in their first group game last week and should be confident that they can keep a clean sheet against League One Cove Rangers.
Their opponents managed just 17 goals in 18 league games on their own patch last season and, while they got their eye in a 3-2 win over East Kilbride last week, they should find a clash with a Premiership team a lot tougher.
St Mirren claimed shootout wins over Hearts and Kilmarnock and a 4-1 success against Motherwell on their way to the final last term, so they should be able to keep their hosts at bay.
Alternative Bet: St Mirren/St Mirren - Half-time/Full-time @ 20/21
The Scottish League Cup could again see St Mirren at their best if last week's win over Dumbarton is anything to go by and don't expect them to hang around when they travel to Cove on Saturday.
It took Samuel Ramos just seven minutes to open the scoring against the Sons last week and, following the goalless draw at Arbroath in their opening game last season, the Paisley side have scored a first-half goal in their last eight Scottish League Cup ties.
Backing them to lead at both half-time and full-time appeals as an alternative bet.
Cove Rangers v St Mirren Bet Builder Tip
Under 4.5 goals
St Mirren -1 on handicap
Pays 2/1
Confidence should not be in short supply in the Buddies' camp and they should be able to ease to a victory at Cove Rangers, but don't expect a glut of goals.
Eight of Cove's last 12 matches have featured fewer than three goals and it is difficult to see a team who scored fewer than one goal per home League One game last season contributing much in this one.
Despite the fact the Buddies won one of their group-stage games against Annan Athletic 8-2 last term, under 4.5 goals looks a safe bet and that gives a bit more room for manoeuvre for a St Mirren -1 handicap selection as a second element of the double.
The Buddies were ruthless at Dumbarton last week and are plainly intent on making a strong defence of their trophy, and a gap in class exists that suggests the Paisley side should be able to assert their authority.
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Key Match Stats
Cove Rangers have lost one of their last six group games in the Scottish League Cup
Eight of Cove's last 12 games have featured fewer than three goals
Both teams have scored in just two of Cove's last seven matches
St Mirren are unbeaten in their last nine Scottish League Cup ties
The Buddies have scored in 10 of their last 14 away assignments
Six of St Mirren's last eight games have featured goals at both ends
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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.
