Alloa Athletic
- Alloa are a patient, possession-based team who will try to control the pace and create chances through a methodical build-up and set-piece routines.
- Andy Graham’s side have been rock-solid in a tough play-off semi-final to reach this point.
- Alloa have home-ground advantage at Ochilview.
- Luke Donnelly has chipped in with key goals for Alloa in both league and play-off matches.
- Calum Waters grabbed a late consolation in the first leg.
- Callum Burnside leads Alloa’s scoring charts this season.
Stenhousemuir
- Stenhousemuir hold a 3-1 aggregate lead after a commanding first-leg performance.
- Stenhousemuir have won four of their last five competitive matches.
- Stenhousemuir finished second in Scottish League One on 67 points, with Alloa fourth on 53.
- Gary Naysmith has done a fantastic job and will be leaving for Ayr United after the play-offs.
- Their high-energy game presses aggressively to win the ball back and spring rapid attacks.
- Michael Anderson bagged their insurance goal in the first leg with a fine curling finish.
- Ross Taylor scored first in the play-off first leg.
Head-to-Head
- The last two head-to-head meetings have both been won by Stenhousemuir.
- Stenhousemuir did not concede more than one goal in those contests.
Key Players
- Michael Anderson scored the insurance goal in the first leg with a fine curling finish.
- Ross Taylor was the first scorer in the play-off first leg.
- Luke Donnelly has provided key goals for Alloa in both league and play-off matches.
- Calum Waters grabbed a late consolation in the first leg.
- Callum Burnside is Alloa’s main outlet and leads their scoring charts this season.
Betting Insights
- Stenhousemuir are 2.17 favourites for this game despite Alloa’s home-ground advantage and the aggregate score.
- Alloa are 3.05.
- Both teams to score at 1.69 is considered too low by the writer, although under 2.5 goals at 1.83 should cover the likely outcome of this game.
Prediction
- A sell-out crowd and local rivalry will add to the atmosphere, and set pieces and the battle for second balls could be crucial.
- Stenhousemuir are in better form, with four wins in their last five and showing defensive solidity, so I am going with a home win in 90 minutes as the most likely outcome.
