- Recent form: Brora Rangers enter the relegation-promotion playoff in fine form after a strong season-ending run in the Highland League.
- Team performance: Edinburgh City finished bottom of Scottish League Two, picking up just 24 points from 36 games.
Highlanders Brora Rangers will fancy their odds against the SPFL’s worst club
Highland League champions Brora Rangers will face off against SPFL side FC Edinburgh in a winner-takes-all relegation-promotion matchup at Dudgeon Park on Saturday. The stakes couldn’t be higher for both sides with Brora desperate to make history with promotion while the visitors will be equally desperate to avoid the ignominy of relegation.
Brora finished the season in fine style with wins at Clachnacuddin and Brechin, a single narrow loss and solid draws in April. They also lost only one of their final five matches, so they know how to grind out results in tense situations.
Steven Mackay’s side play a pragmatic brand of soccer and are typically a physical and disciplined unit that can counter-attack with real venom when caught out of possession. Their attack is typically led by Shane Sutherland, a proven goal threat and focal point for their direct style, and they have a number of seasoned Highland League players such as Jordan MacRae and James Wallace, who are both excellent from set-pieces.
Expect a cagey game in the early stages
Form and recent results
FC Edinburgh’s form has been somewhat erratic of late with three heavy defeats in April. Michael McIndoe’s side did bounce back with a 5-0 home win over Dumbarton at the beginning of May and their usual attacking style of play is expected to feature in this game.
Tactics and key players
The visitors play an attacking style of soccer, typically in either a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation and press high up the field at a relentless tempo. Defensively, they rely on the leadership of captain and goalkeeper Mark Weir while Olly McDonald, Jason Jarvis and Innes Lawson add a bit of spark and creativity in the attacking third.
Playoff history
Brora will be keenly aware of the 2015 pyramid playoff between these two clubs when Edinburgh were denied promotion by a dramatic penalty shootout after an aggregate draw. This year, the roles are reversed with Brora coming into the game as the higher-ranked side and the hosts will be desperate to secure the advantage in front of their passionate home fans.
Edinburgh have more quality but Brora may hold the advantage
Brora Rangers should hold the edge here with their superior recent form and home advantage. However, with FC Edinburgh having an SPFL pedigree and Brora Rangers desperate for promotion this could well be a tense first leg which may very well end up as a 1-1 draw. Dudgeon Park is a small and blustery ground and the conditions could suit Brora Rangers who may have the edge if they play their best soccer on Saturday.
Back Brora Rangers to secure at least a draw and potentially take a first-leg advantage in this relegation-promotion clash.
- Brora Rangers should hold the edge here with their superior recent form and home advantage.
- However, with FC Edinburgh having an SPFL pedigree and Brora Rangers desperate for promotion this could well be a tense first leg which may very well end up as a 1-1 draw.
- Dudgeon Park is a small and blustery ground and the conditions could suit Brora Rangers who may have the edge if they play their best soccer on Saturday.
