Elgin City are set to host Hibernian at Borough Briggs in their first group stage game of Scotland's League Cup on Saturday.
The home side finished seventh in Scotland's League Two last term with 40 points from 36 games, while opponents Hibernian were seventh in the top flight regular season with 39 points from 33 matches, though they did end the overall season in eighth after finishing second in their relegation playoff group with 46 points.
Match preview
The hosts managed to successfully avoid relegation with their seventh-placed finish, but they will still be disappointed that they once again fell short of the final promotion playoff spot, with fourth-placed Dumbarton accumulating 17 more points over the course of the season.
In fact, it could be argued that Elgin experienced a worse campaign last term than in the 2022-23 season despite finishing higher, especially considering that while they earned 40 points in both seasons, they ended with a worse goal difference in 2023-24.
To add to this, their record of 35 goals scored and 59 conceded meant that of the 10 teams in the division, they were both the worst defensively and offensively.
It is perhaps of little surprise that Barry Smith was dismissed from his role as manager in November 2023, with the club appointing Allan Hale as his replacement in December.
Hale began his tenure with three straight league losses, but since then his side lost just six of their remaining 20 top-flight matches while also winning seven times and drawing on seven occasions.
Considering that under Smith, Elgin had lost 53.85% of their league matches in 2023-24, Hale's 39.13% loss rate should be viewed somewhat less harshly.
Elgin's form in the League Cup in recent years has been poor, with 13 losses from their last 14 matches in the competition.
As for their league season, they ended the campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Clyde, a result which was preceded by four straight draws.
Meanwhile, Scottish Premiership opponents Hibernian ended their league season with a draw against Livingston, and in the prior four matches they won twice and lost twice.
Hibs' form in the League Cup has been significantly better, especially considering that they managed to reach the semi-finals of the competition, where they were knocked out by Aberdeen after losing 1-0 on November 4.
Interestingly, though they did end the regular season with 39 points, they accumulated more overall points than sixth-placed Dundee and just one fewer than fifth-placed Kilmarnock.
At the point the league was split into two, Hibs had the joint fifth-best offensive record out of the 12 teams in the division having scored 44 goals, but only the joint eighth-best defensive record having conceded 51.
The visitors' average of 1.18 points per game in the regular season was less than the 1.33 average they achieved in 2022-23, and this poor points return contributed to the dismissal of both Lee Johnson and Nick Montgomery.
Johnson was sacked in August after one win in the opening five league games, while Montgomery, who was appointed in early September, was sacked in May after his side lost four times in six top-flight matches.
Former player and caretaker manager David Gray took charge in June after the end of the season in May, and he became the 14th player to represent the club as both a player and as a permanent manager.
Team News
The hosts have signed a number of players, including centre-backs Jack Murray and Kyle Girvan.
Midfielders Lewis Hyde and Ryan Sargent have also joined and could be in line for their first competitive starts.
Elgin have also reinforced in the forward line having signed winger Dajon Golding and centre-forward Olly McDonald on free transfers.
As for departures, goalkeeper Kyle King and wingers Mitch Taylor and Dylan Lawrence have left the club.
Forwards Ben Barron and Aidan Cruickshank have also waved goodbye, while Robert Jones, Lewis Duncan and Owen Loveland are without clubs.
As for the visitors, midfielder Jake Doyle-Hayes has been on the bench in the last three games of the 2023-24 season and could be set for a first start since returning from his nine-month absence.
Hibs have also made several signings, including goalkeeper Josef Bursik on loan from Club Brugge.
Centre-backs Marvin Ekpiteta and Warren O'Hora have signed on free transfers.
As for departures, goalkeeper Murray Johnson has left on loan, while fellow shot-stopper David Marshall has retired.
Defenders Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson have left for free, as has winger Dan MacKay.
Veteran forward Adam Le Fondre is also currently without a team.
Elgin City possible starting lineup:
McHale; Cairns, Murray, Girvan, MacLeman; Dingwall, Cameron, Hyde; Sargent, McDonald, Golding
Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Bursik; Cadden, Ekpiteta, O'Hora, Obita; Kenneh, Newell; Boyle, Campbell, Tavares; Vente
We say: Elgin City 0-3 Hibernian
Although new boss Gray is yet to take charge of a competitive game for Hibs, his status as a former player could provide the club with a much-needed boost.
Additionally, it is difficult to envisage Elgin achieving victory considering their status as a club in Scotland's fourth division, and this makes the visitors strong favourites heading into Saturday's clash.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
