- Kelty Hearts are the division’s bottom side, 10th in League One 2025/2026 with 26 points from 33 games.
- Inverness CT are 2nd in League One 2025/2026, with 59 points from 32 games.
Chess match expected at Caledonian Stadium
The clash of Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s proactive, tempo-setting style against Kelty Hearts’ more containment-oriented approach should ensure a fascinating chess match on Saturday.
Scott Kellacher took over as ICT boss in October 2024 and has since instilled a proactive, high-tempo approach that is suited to the talent of his players. ICT deploy a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation and like to build from the centre of the pitch, with full-backs providing width and a constant high press. They have been consistent throughout the campaign, but their last two games have been uncharacteristic, losing 4-1 at Raith Rovers in the Challenge Cup before a 1-1 away draw with Stenhousemuir.
Tam O’Ware took charge of Kelty Hearts in May 2025 and has brought a structure and defensive discipline to the team that was previously lacking. Kelty Hearts set up in a compact 4-3-3, sitting deep and defending in the mid-block, but have plenty of pace on the wings and can be very dangerous on the counter-attack when they give the ball away. Their last three games, a 2-1 away win at Hamilton Academical and a 3-1 home victory over Montrose, have shown they are in good form going into this game.
Back ICT to create more chances
ICT have won only one and drawn three of their last five games, but at home, they have lost only one of their last 16 in League One 2025/2026. They average 2.19 goals scored and just 0.69 conceded at home in the league and should dominate possession and create more opportunities than Kelty Hearts on Saturday.
The visitors have picked up some good form recently with two wins, two draws and a defeat in their last five, and they average 1.25 goals scored and 1.75 conceded away from home in League One 2025/2026. They can be vulnerable at the back and ICT should get plenty of chances in this game.
Kelty can still nick a goal
Kelty Hearts can certainly frustrate ICT, as they showed in the reverse fixture, which was a 0-0 draw at Kelty in League One 2025/2026. ICT are winless in three at home to Kelty Hearts (D1, L2), but this clash has promotion and survival implications and ICT will be determined to break that hoodoo.
Alfie Bavidge is ICT’s main striker with ten goals in 32 League One games, while Chanka Zimba has three of ICT's last seven goals. Ricco Diack is Kelty Hearts’ main goal threat with six in 14 League One appearances, so he can offer them an edge up front.
ICT should dominate and win this clash, so I am backing a home win with over 2.5 goals in the game and both teams to score. Odds of 19/100 for the home win are short, but ICT are worthy favourites, while Over 2.5 goals at 51/100 and BTTS at 11/10 look fair enough for a high-scoring affair.
