Scottish football is back with the League Cup taking centre stage and last season’s quarter-finalists Kilmarnock play host to Championship outfit Raith Rovers on Tuesday night.
Kilmarnock have refreshed their squad over the summer and manager Neil McCann will be confident that his side can start their season in winning style.
Raith Rovers have also added to their squad over the summer and they made a winning start to the Scottish League Cup, outclassing Elgin City in a 3-1 victory.
This is Kilmarnock's first match of the competition and while they have lost a couple of bodies with Lewis Mayo and Brad Lyons going to Aberdeen, but they should still have enough in reserve to see off Raith Rovers.
Raith finished fifth in the Scottish Championship last season, losing more games than they won, while Kilmarnock finished 11th in the regular season in the Premiership so that class should tell.
Raith won the Scottish Challenge Cup last season but this represents a tougher test and they may struggle away at Rugby Park.
Kilmarnock v Raith Rovers Tips Summary
Best Bet - Kilmarnock to win @ 4/6
Bet Builder - Kilmarnock to win, Over 2.5 goals & Second half to have most goals @ 9/2
Kilmarnock v Raith Rovers Prediction
Best Bet: Kilmarnock to win @ 4/6
Kilmarnock should have a class edge on Raith Rovers as they are a top-flight side and, while they should come on plenty for their first outing of the season, they have plenty of quality.
Killie were quarter-finalists in this competition last season, having lost to St Mirren on penalties, and they topped Group H with three wins and a draw.
That effort saw them overcome Livingston, East Fife, Kelty Hearts and Brora Rangers and they should make a winning start against Raith, who are a mediocre Championship outfit.
Kilmarnock finished the Scottish Premiership strongly last season, winning their final four matches and scoring three goals on each occasion, and friendly wins over Glentoran and Linfield suggest they are in rude health.
Kilmarnock v Raith Rovers Bet Builder Tip
Kilmarnock to win
Over 2.5 goals
Second half to have most goals
Pays 9/2
Kilmarnock should have a class edge on Raith Rovers, who are a division below them, and they can get their Scottish League Cup campaign off to a winning start.
Killie have had two friendlies in the build up for this and they have shown their attacking prowess, winning 4-0 against Glentoran and edging past Linfield 3-2.
This shouldn’t be any tougher and they did finish strongly last season, winning their final four games and scoring at least three times on each occasion.
Raith could be plucky opposition and that may mean that the second half is the highest scoring, with the top-flight side likely to show their quality as the game progresses.
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Key Match Stats
Kilmarnock have scored three or more goals in their last six matches
Raith Rovers have won only one of their last five away games
Killie have won their last six matches
Each of Raith’s last four matches have gone over 3.5 goals
Raith have failed to score in only one of their last 10 fixtures
Both teams have scored in six of Raith’s last nine matches
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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.
