Arbroath
- The Red Lichties finished 52 points from 36 matches in third place in the Championship, one point better than Dunfermline in fourth, so there is very little between them in terms of quality.
- Arbroath have been in good shape at home, however, and have a big target on their backs so this should be a cagey game with set-pieces and fine margins likely to decide who goes through to keep their Premiership promotion hopes alive.
- But they have many other experienced players who can cover important positions, so Arbroath’s tactics shouldn’t change too much from game to game.
Dunfermline
- Dunfermline lead this all-Championship Premiership relegation-promotion play-off 1 - 0 on aggregate after winning last week’s first leg at home.
- Dunfermline are unbeaten in their last three, keeping two clean sheets and have been solid defensively during the play-offs.
- Dunfermline boss Neil Lennon has some top-level experience to bring to the table and a reputation for being tactically adaptable and a good game manager, which has certainly been the case since the play-offs began.
Head-to-Head
- Dunfermline have been more impressive in the recent head-to-head encounters, but Arbroath’s home form and need to attack should lead to an open game.
- The last two meetings produced just one goal, although earlier in the season there were high-scoring clashes, including a 5 - 0 Dunfermline win and a 4 - 2 Arbroath victory.
- The Pars looked the better side in the first leg of the tie, but with the stakes so high, it could be a nervy game.
Dunfermline
- The key players for the visitors have been Matty Todd, who has been influential in both league and cup.
- Fellow midfielders Olly Thomas and Chris Kane are also strong performers, with Thomas notching goals in the Scottish Cup and Kane regularly creating chances.
- Andrew Tod is the Championship’s second-top scorer with 13 league goals and looks to be in good form.
Arbroath
- Arbroath’s co-player-managers David Gold and Colin Hamilton are the mainstays of their first-team and the experienced duo have done a great job of getting the best out of a squad that has been rotated during the last few months.
- Gold is a key figure in organising the defensive block that their team sets up, while Hamilton is usually in charge of the set-pieces, which are a big part of their game plan.
Betting Insights
- Both teams to score is the short odds favorite here at 1.59, but that seems like too short a price given the last two meetings produced just one goal, although earlier in the season there were high-scoring clashes.
- Backing the visitors to edge through at 3.34 looks a better way of going here, although the draw is a distinct possibility at 3.45.
Prediction
- Dunfermline have been the better team over the course of the campaign and have a better manager, who has done a very good job to keep his team solid during the tense play-offs.
- This should be a cagey tie decided by set-pieces and fine margins, with backing the visitors to edge through at 3.34 a sensible option while the draw at 3.45 remains a real possibility.
