St Mirren will look to maintain their winning start in the Scottish League Cup when they take on East Kilbride at St Mirren Park on Tuesday night.
Craig McLeish's team had a year to forget last season in the Scottish Premiership, having finished 11th out of 12 teams. That forced them to play in the Premiership play-off final, although they managed to beat Partick Thistle 2-1 on aggregate to retain their top-flight status.
McLeish only took charge of St Mirren in March, but he has used this summer to freshen up his squad, adding six new faces to his ranks.
Samuel Ramos, Henry Fieldson, Chris Mochrie, Ryan Carr, Jacob Champan and Eseosa Sule have all joined the club and St Mirren look good value to continue their recent form.
East Kilbride earned promotion from League Two last season, but they should find this clash a step too far.
St Mirren v East Kilbride Tips Summary
Best Bet - St Mirren to win to nil @ 10/11
Alternative Bet - Half-time/Full-time - St Mirren/St Mirren @ 8/13
Bet Builder - St Mirren to score in both halves, St Mirren to win 4-0 @ 10/1
St Mirren v East Kilbride Prediction
Best Bet: St Mirren to win to nil @ 10/11
St Mirren's Premiership campaign does not get underway until the start of August, but they look to be heading into the new season with a spring in their step.
Staying in the top flight was imperative to their future and McLeish has worked with what resources he has to try and transform his squad for the new campaign.
The first round of the Scottish League Cup can often be one-sided and this year's competition has been no different.
St Mirren have outclassed Dumbarton and Cove Rangers in their opening two games and kept clean sheets in a pair of 4-0 wins.
East Kilbride shocked Championship outfit Dunfermline in the first round with a 3-0 success, but they have since conceded six goals.
They lost 3-2 to Cove Rangers and beat Dumbarton 5-3 and if they are as weak at the back against St Mirren, they will be up against it from the first whistle.
Alternative Bet: Half-time/Full-time - St Mirren/St Mirren @ 8/13
The gulf in class between the two teams should be on show from the outset.
East Kilbride are a semi-professional team in Scotland and their inferior fitness levels should be a major issue.
Playing away at a top-flight club is never easy and St Mirren have found some momentum under McLeish.
Including the end of last season, the Saints are unbeaten in seven games and their recent form suggests they should set the standard across both halves.
St Mirren v East Kilbride Bet Builder Tip
St Mirren to score in both halves
St Mirren to win 4-0
Pays @ 10/1
The fact that St Mirren are two divisions above East Kilbride should help them rack up the goals.
East Kilbride have conceded six goals against lesser teams and a play on a 4-0 home win looks good value.
St Mirren have scored four goals in their last three matches, including their 4-2 friendly win over Arbroath.
All 12 of those goals have come away from home, so a return to St Mirren Park should only aid their chances of scoring plenty.
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Key Match Stats
St Mirren have won their last four games in all competitions
The Buddies have avoided defeat in their last seven matches
East Kilbride have picked up six points from their first three League Cup stories
The Kilby have conceded six goals in their last two League Cup games
St Mirren have scored four goals in each of their last three matches
East Kilbride have only won one of their last five away fixtures
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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.
