- Montrose have lost their last 3 competitive games, including a 0-5 defeat at home to Hamilton Academical.
- Fraserburgh have started their pre-season in strong fashion with four wins.
- Montrose and Fraserburgh have played each other twice since 2013, Montrose won the most recent meeting 4-2 in the 2021 Scottish Cup.
Montrose in a muddle
It looks like Montrose have started the 2026/27 Scottish League One season in muddle. Stewart Petrie's side have made a shaky start to the campaign, sitting 10th after 2 games with a return of 0 points and -6 goal difference in the table. Defensively, they have been leaking goals at a rate that looks simply alarming for a side that will have aspirations of promotion.
After a 0-5 loss at home to Hamilton Academical, Petrie will have had to pull his players back to reality before the visit of Highland League side Fraserburgh on Tuesday. After a 2-1 defeat at Ross County, Montrose have a huge game at Links Park to put things right, but they should be wary of the cup shocker that Fraserburgh could have in them.
Dons’ direct approach to cause problems
The Dons have had a flying start to their pre-season schedule, recording thumping victories over Buchanhaven Hearts (6-0), Dyce (3-0), Longside (4-1) and New Elgin (9-0) before last week's 0-0 draw in the Highland League against Invergordon.
The signing of Ryan Sargent on his return to the club has been a coup for Fraserburgh, and he has a proven goal record at this level. Fraserburgh also have the Highland League know-how of Scott Barbour and Sean Butcher in their ranks, and Mark Cowie's side have the set up to spring a cup shock if Montrose are sloppy.
Fraserburgh are a dangerous opponent
In the 2021 meeting between these sides, Montrose claimed a 4-2 win over Fraserburgh in the Scottish Cup, while they also edged Fraserburgh 1-0 in a 2013 cup tie. The two sides have split their only two previous meetings, with a total of nine goals being scored.
This is a potential banana skin for Montrose, who will have to get used to being the favourites at 31/100 with the draw coming in at 21/5 and the visitors at 31/5. Fraserburgh are a more direct and compact side, while Montrose are typically a team that build from the back, often in either a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2.
Graham Webster and Blair Lyons will need to provide the spark that can unlock the door on Tuesday, and Montrose will need to find a cutting edge somewhere on the pitch if they are to see off Fraserburgh.
Montrose to edge close encounter
The hosts should have the quality and home advantage to edge out Fraserburgh on the night, and if they can control the pace of the game and keep things tidy at the back, a Montrose win and under 3.5 goals should fit the bill nicely.
Fraserburgh have momentum behind them and those recent big friendly wins suggest that they can still punch above their weight at the top end of the field, even if the league sides don't take them seriously. Montrose are a set-piece side, Fraserburgh are a pressing and transition team, so the home side will have more of the ball and Fraserburgh will look to make it a scrap and pinch a few chances in behind.
The most likely outcome is still a Montrose victory, and a 2-1 correct score has strong appeal if Fraserburgh can land a few punches and give this cup tie the potential to become a real banana skin for Stewart Petrie's men. Sean McGinty will provide real steel at centre-back for Montrose, while Aidan Quinn, who will captain the side, will look to calm things down and keep the ship on an even keel.
