- Kelty Hearts are the clear favourite for this match.
- Kelty Hearts have scored three goals in two of their last five matches, which include a 3-2 win over Stirling Albion.
- Motherwell II are a Premiership B side built for this competition rather than the senior pyramid, so there is no competitive precedent for their opening group game.
Kelty Hearts have the edge
Kelty Hearts are 21/50 to win their KDM Evolution Trophy match against Premiership B team Motherwell II on Tuesday, which looks about right considering both clubs are entering this match with no prior competitive head-to-head record.
The SPFL William Hill League Two side enter this contest on the back of a 3-2 win at struggling Stirling Albion, while the Motherwell B side has yet to play a competitive game in this competition's format. The bookmakers are offering 37/10 on a draw and 473/100 on the visitors, which makes it clear that the market expects the senior Kelty side to have the cohesion and nous to edge this contest at New Central Park.
Kelty are in the SPFL William Hill League Two after a run of results that included a 0-1 away loss at Forfar Athletic and a 0-3 defeat to Aberdeen. Tam O'Ware has given his side a compact, narrow shape and a clear identity as a counter-attacking side in this early part of the season.
The hosts can hurt teams in transition or with set-pieces and have plenty of senior experience at their disposal in Alex Ferguson, an important player to have around as an experienced attacking outlet in tight cup ties. Kyle Gourlay is another experienced figure in the Kelty goal, where his shot-stopping could play a key role in determining if this turns into a cagey scrap or a more free-flowing shootout.
Motherwell B will aim to press
Motherwell II should have no lack of hunger, but the real difference they bring to this game is likely to be in their young legs and ability to play some good football at high speed. B-side boss Alan Archibald works in close tandem with first-team coach Alfred Johansson and the possession-and-press style that has been installed at Fir Park is also present in the B team set up.
Young players such as Mark Ferrie and Dylan Wells have featured and can make an impact, but Motherwell's biggest threat will come from a youthful, technically sound team that can play an expansive game in front of goal. Motherwell II are more likely to win this game if they can get on top of Kelty Hearts and force a few turnovers in dangerous areas, but if not Kelty's compact shape should see them through.
A Kelty win to nil or a Kelty-DNB style play suits the odds and the profile of this clash, which should be a classic press-versus-counter match-up. Motherwell II play a much wider game than Kelty Hearts and have a more aggressive press with a lot of possession-based play, while Kelty are designed to absorb pressure and hit hard on the counter. Luke McCarvel, Arran Pettifer and Craig Clay will provide some steel in midfield for the home side, but their chances will likely come from set pieces and transition play.
Kelty have scored three goals in two of their recent matches. They may be able to do that again to Motherwell II, although the Premiership B players can take the game to Kelty in a way that those other opponents couldn't, so we are going with a compact 1-0 or 2-1 for the hosts.
