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Sports Mole previews Tuesday's Scottish League Cup clash between Kelty Hearts and Kilmarnock, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Fighting to keep the top spot in Group H of the Scottish League Cup, Premiership club Kilmarnock will travel to take on Scottish League One side Kelty Hearts at New Central Park on Tuesday.

The Maroon Machine will be hoping to bounce back from defeat last time out, while Killie are looking for a fourth consecutive victory in midweek.

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Match preview

Thomas O'Ware's Kelty Hearts have performed admirably in the cup, and with five wins and just two losses from their last seven matches, they will be feeling capable of causing an upset.

On Saturday, the Maroon Machine dropped three points in a 1-0 defeat against East Fife, but while walking away empty-handed was disappointing, the player-manager could point to the impact of fine margins given that his team conceded the only shot on target they faced.

That loss left O'Ware's side third in the table, and their tally of three points means that their opponents at the top of the pile are within reach.

Knowing that another win could put them in contention for the round of 16, the hosts will take confidence from the fact that they have won three of their five home games since April, and they will be expecting to put in a strong performance despite the league disparity.

Three points on Tuesday would take Kelty Hearts up to second thanks to their goal-difference, and may even lift them to the top of the pile depending on results elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Stuart Kettlewell's Kilmarnock lost three games on the bounce between the end of May and start of June, but having won three in a row ahead of this clash, they will be anticipating another positive result in midweek.

Last Wednesday, Killie followed up their 2-0 triumph over Brora Rangers by beating fellow-Premiership club Livingston 1-0, though they did rely on an own goal from the familiar Mohamad Sylla to seize the points.

That victory took Kettlewell's men to the top of the table, where they are now level on six points with Livi in the race for the round of 16.

However, while the visitors sit at the summit, they have been poor on the road for the majority of 2025, and with only two wins to go alongside their seven away defeats this year, they could be vulnerable on Tuesday.

Should Kilmarnock maintain their 100% record in the cup, then they may go three points clear of their rivals, but another defeat on their travels would likely drop them down to third place.

Kelty Hearts Scottish League Cup form:

Kelty Hearts form (all competitions):

Kilmarnock Scottish League Cup form:

Kilmarnock form (all competitions):

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Team News

Aiming to cause an upset, Kelty Hearts' front three of Robbie Cole, Craig Johnston and Innes Murray will need to be at their best against their top-flight opponents.

At the heart of O'Ware's defence, Craig Clay should start alongside Jack Brydon in front of goalkeeper Corey Armour, while Thomas Murray and Brody Paterson offer offensive support from full-back.

As for Kilmarnock, Kyle Magennis is likely to continue in midfield alongside David Watson, and the duo should be flanked by Bradley Lyons and Liam Polworth.

Up top, Kettlewell will deploy a strike partnership of Marcus Dackers and Djenario Daniels, and the pair will be hoping to forget their side's dire away form on Tuesday.

Kelty Hearts possible starting lineup:

Armour; Murray, Clay, Brydon, Paterson; Moore, Ferguson, Arnott; Johnston, Cole, Murray

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:

Stryjek; Brannan, Stanger, Mayo, Deas; Lyons, Watson, Magennis, Polworth; Dackers, Daniels

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We say: Kelty Hearts 2-1 Kilmarnock

 

Kelty Hearts may be a lower-league club, but they are likely to pose a threat to the Premiership side in midweek.

Additionally, Kilmarnock have struggled on the road throughout the year, and they could taste defeat once again on Tuesday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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