Alloa Athletic welcome Hibernian in the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals as the lowest-ranked team left in the competition and will be attempting to cause another upset.

The Scottish Championship outfit will have a hard time on Tuesday evening trying to contain an in-form Hibs side currently sitting third in the top flight table, but anything is possible in cup clashes.

Match preview

Hibernian manager Jack Ross pictured in October 2020 © Reuters

Peter Grant's side will be hoping to see off the capital's other major force when Hibs arrive in midweek after defeating Hearts 1-0 in extra time in the last round.

The Wasps will enter this one with renewed confidence after victory over Arbroath last time out earned them their first league win of the season and saw them climb off the bottom of the table.

Alloa qualified from Group H in second position behind Livingston after picking up three wins in their four group games and are now potentially just 90 minutes away from booking a day out at Hampden Park.

Grant's men will enter this one as huge underdogs, but they will be under no pressure to perform and could thrive away from their league demands.

Hibs come into this encounter unbeaten so far in this season's competition and are currently on a three-game winning streak.

The Easter Road club reached the semi-finals of the League Cup in 2019-20, where they lost 5-2 to eventual winners Celtic, although Jack Ross has transformed the club's fortunes since then.

Ross will be facing his former side on Tuesday and will be in familiar surroundings when he takes his new outfit to the Indodrill Stadium.

The Hibees will be buoyant after their 4-0 thrashing of Hamilton Academical over the weekend left them in third position in the Scottish Premiership table, just two points behind Neil Lennon's Hoops.

The capital club will be hoping to stay in the hat for a chance to win a first major trophy since the Scottish Cup in 2016.

Alloa Athletic Scottish League Cup form: WLWWW
Alloa Athletic form (all competitions): WLLWLW

Hibernian Scottish League Cup form: WWWWW
Hibernian form (all competitions): WDDWWW

Team News

Kevin Nisbet pictured for Hibernian in October 2020 © Reuters

Veteran midfielder Alan Trouten will be key to Alloa's chances of causing an upset, with the 35-year-old already bagging four goals and providing one assist this season.

Striker Liam Buchanan has notched up three strikes in the League Cup so far, and The Wasps will need their forward to be on his best form for this one.

Summer signing Kyle Magennis came off the bench at the weekend to make his comeback from injury and could be in line to feature from the off in this one.

Influential midfielder Scott Allen remains sidelined and is not expected to return until the new year, while he is joined on the treatment table by on-loan winger Jamie Murphy, who is nursing a hamstring problem.

Hibs' strike partnership of Kevin Nisbet and Christian Doidge will be crucial to their chances, with both forwards full of confidence after getting on the scoresheet against the Accies.

Alloa Athletic possible starting lineup:
Parry; Murray, Jamieson, Graham, Dick; Cawley, Robertson, Hetherington, Scougall; Trouten, Buchanan

Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Marciano; McGinn, Porteous, Hanlon, Stevenson; Boyle, Hallberg, Newell, Wright; Nisbet, Doidge

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We say: Alloa Athletic 0-3 Hibernian

Hibs are in blistering form at the moment scoring eight goals and conceding none in their last three outings in all competitions. Alloa will be in for a tough evening and should not be strong enough to offer too much resistance for Ross's charges.

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