Queen of the South (home)
- Peter Murphy has been a solid appointment at Queen of the South and his team have maintained a rigid, possession-based approach that has seen them go unbeaten in their last five league matches heading into the play-offs.
- Queen of the South are unbeaten in their last five (W2, D3).
Stenhousemuir (away)
- Gary Naysmith’s Stenhousemuir have established a high-intensity, pressing style of football in the Scottish leagues and have given the Championship a real run for their money this season, finishing second in the 2025 - 26 League One table with 67 points, 13 ahead of 3rd placed Queen of the South on 54.
- Stenny finished the regular season on a hot streak, winning three of their last five and keeping multiple clean sheets, including in the final two games.
Head-to-Head
- Recent meetings between the sides have been cagey and low-scoring.
- The head-to-heads between the clubs over the 2024 - 26 League One seasons have produced two draws, two Stenny wins, and one Queens win.
Key Players
- Ross Taylor is Stenny’s frequent scorer in key matches, but perhaps their most influential player during their late-season charge has been Matthew Aitken.
- Aitken is a poacher who can finish off a chance with aplomb and brings composure from the penalty spot.
- Reece Lyon is the team’s top-scorer and their primary playmaker.
- Brennan Dickenson and Nicky Clark found the net in Queens’ 4 - 1 win over Alloa on 2 May 2026, a game that should give them confidence heading into this first leg.
- Kurtis Guthrie and Matty Douglas could play their part for the hosts if they can get the game going in wide areas.
- Euan O’Reilly and Dale Carrick offer Stenny pace and an aerial threat from the flanks, while Darren Jamieson has anchored their recent defensive shutouts.
Betting Insights
- The Under 2.5 goals market is available at 1.72.
- Queen of the South are priced at 2.3 as favourites, while Stenny are 2.88 to get a result in this first leg.
Prediction
- Stenhousemuir will have the psychological edge going into this game as the in-form team, but Queens are unbeaten in their last five and have more quality and experience.
- We’re going with a 1 - 1 draw as the most likely outcome here.
- It could go either way by a one-goal margin, and a lively Palmerston Park could be in for an exciting game, especially if there are showers in the evening and the pitch becomes slick.
