- Stenhousemuir have won 2, drawn 1 and lost 2 of their last 5 meetings with Montrose (W2, D1, L2).
- Stenhousemuir are the in-form team, having won 2 and drawn 2 of their last 5.
- Montrose have won only 1 of their last 5 and just 1 of their last 3 home matches.
Montrose have a mental block against Stenhousemuir
Stenhousemuir (64pts) are 2nd with Montrose (42pts) 6th after both clubs have played 35 games. It will be interesting to see how this clash of contrasting styles unfolds and who can gain the extra boost of a playoff berth as a result.
Stenhousemuir are an organised, disciplined side that have been managed by Gary Naysmith since January 2023. The League One side are first and foremost a defensive unit, but one that can punish teams on the turn, particularly in transition when they can get numbers forward.
Stenhousemuir bounced back from a 2-0 away defeat to Cove Rangers with a 1-0 home win against Alloa Athletic last time out and will feel confident in doing so again against Montrose on Saturday.
Gumboots on and get ready for the mud
Montrose have been playing some of their best football of the season and are a high-tempo, width-heavy team that plays their best soccer when they can press the opposition. Stewart Petrie has managed the club since December 2016 and his team have not been a regular factor in the promotion race over the last 3 seasons.
The recent form of both clubs suggests that the visitors have a better chance of claiming all 3 points on Saturday, but the odds of 59/100 are very skinny. The last 5 meetings between the clubs have seen both sides pick up 2 wins apiece and 1 draw, a run that includes a 2-2 draw in Stenhousemuir in their most recent league meeting in 2025/2026.
There’s nothing to separate the clubs in the head-to-head record, with both sides picking up 2 wins apiece in the 5 most recent clashes and 1 draw (W2, D1, L2). Montrose will probably be satisfied with a point here, but they have only won 1 of their last 5 and just 1 of their last 3 at Links Park, while Stenhousemuir have won 2 and drawn 2 of their last 5.
Blair Lyons has found his shooting boots
Over 2.5 goals looks the value bet at 77/100, but we think Montrose’s lack of clinical edge up front could be a problem against such a compact and resolute Stenhousemuir unit.
Both Teams to Score - No at 23/25 looks a good bet here, as Stenhousemuir are the best defensive side in the division right now and Montrose are going to struggle to get a foothold in the game.
Blair Lyons has been in good form for Montrose, netting twice in his last 5 appearances, while Callum Sandilands leads the way with 10 goals in 35 league games, providing a focal point and consistency in the goal department for The Gable Endies.
Matthew Aitken is Stenhousemuir’s leading striker with 9 goals in 33 league games, leading the line for a team who like to defend solidly, hit men on the break and put in a shift at the other end. Montrose average 1.5 goals per game at home to Stenhousemuir and the visitors return the same average when away to Saturday’s hosts.
