- Team form: Stenhousemuir are 2nd in League One with 61 points from 34 matches.
- Table position: Alloa Athletic are 3rd in the table, eight points behind, with 53 points from 34.
- Recent form: Stenhousemuir’s recent form: W2, D2, L1 in last five. Alloa’s recent form: W2, D1, L2 in last five.
Local rivals set to face off in a tense matchup
Match context
Two sides who compete for the higher positions in League One meet at Ochilview, where Stenhousemuir are unbeaten in three (W2, D1). Gary Naysmith’s team have maintained a consistent, high-octane performance throughout the campaign and there are few signs to suggest that they will change tack here.
Tactics and key man
Stenhousemuir are a team of vertical, pressing players who play a 4-2-3-1 system with a relentless, high-pressure game that can see them win the ball back at all parts of the field. Matthew Aitken leads their front line with 9 goals in 32 League One appearances and is always a threat for the hosts, who have conceded just 12 goals in 17 home fixtures this campaign.
Alloa’s system is the opposite of Stenhousemuir
Playing style
Andy Graham’s Alloa Athletic, who are eight points behind 2nd-placed Stenhousemuir, are a patient possession side who create lots of space and opportunities for their forwards by playing in a structured, possession-based way. Since Graham took charge in November 2023, the Wasps have been a very well-organised side who can counter-attack with precision and have scored 22 goals in 17 away matches.
Form and threats
Alloa come into this game after beating East Fife 2-0 at home, following a 1-0 defeat at Hamilton Academical.
- Luke Donnelly has found form for Graham’s side recently, scoring 2 of their last 5 goals and providing an additional attacking threat.
- Callum Burnside has 9 goals in 24 League One games and provides a focal point in the Alloa attack, which is exactly what they need to get the most out of their possession dominance.
Alloa are the underdogs, but don’t count them out
Alloa have won one and tied two of the last three head-to-head encounters, but Stenhousemuir have failed to win either of their previous two at home to these local rivals. The odds on the home side are 1.84 and the hosts should right that wrong on Saturday, with their home record (W9, D7, L1) and high-press game seeing them through.
Both teams will be up for this game and with end-of-season bragging rights at stake, expect both teams to be disciplined and solid at the back. The score might not be so high here, with 1.82 on Under 2.5 offering plenty of value. There may well be a clean sheet for one of these sides, so Both Teams to Score - No is a good play at 1.94.
