The William Hill Scottish Cup Third round takes place this Saturday with sixteen ties going on around the country.
This stage of the competition has a history of creating cup-shocks and with the Premiership big-guns entering in the next round, there’s everything to play for.
Here are seven things to watch for this Saturday:
First vs Second
The top two in League One go head to head at Somerset Park this Saturday, as Ayr United take on Dunfermline. Just three points separate the clubs in the league and a cup win could hand either side crucial momentum in the race for automatic promotion.
Sam Mackay for the treble?
Wick Academy midfielder Sam Mackay has scored Goal of the Round for the past TWO stages. Can he make it a treble when his side take on Linlithgow Rose tomorrow? Watch Sam’s prize-winning goals and hear from the man himself HERE
Hutchison Vale aim to make their own headlines
Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale will look to continue a dream Scottish Cup run with victory over Huntly. The club’s youth academy – affectionately referred to as ‘Hutchie’ – have produced plenty of Scotland internationals over the years including Leigh Griffiths, Kenny Miller and Jason Cummings. All three of those players play for clubs in the next round, will their old side be joining them? Read about LTHV’s story HERE
North meets South
There are 281 miles separating Stranaer and Buckie Thistle, who meet at Stairs Park on Saturday. That’s just 10 miles shy of the distance between Scotland and Norway. A proper North v South clash!
Championship clash at The Rock
There is one all-Championship clash in the William Hill Scottish Cup Third Round as Dumbarton play host to Alloa Athletic at ‘The Rock’. Both teams have struggled in the league this year and will be keen to salvage their seasons with a place in the Fourth Round. Who will it be?
Where David regularly beats Goliath…
The Scottish Cup Third Round has proven to be something of a battleground with lots of Giant-killings over the years. Celtic, Kilmarnock and Partick Thistle have all been tripped up by lower league opposition at this stage in the past. How many shocks will we see this year? Have a look at the biggest Third Round shocks in the last 10 years.
Falkirk aim to bounce-back
Last year’s runners-up Falkirk enter at this stage and will play Fraserburgh at home. May’s final, which ended in heartbreak after a 2-1 defeat to Inverness Caley Thistle, might seem like yesterday for The Bairns but they’ll be desperate to prove that they can reach Hampden once again.
WILLIAM HILL SCOTTISH CUP THIRD ROUND
Saturday 28 November, 3pm kick-offs
Stranraer v Buckie Thistle
Queen's Park v Forfar Athletic
Formartine United v Cove Rangers
Dumbarton v Alloa Athletic
Stirling Albion v Cumbernauld Colts
Albion Rovers v Greenock Morton
Falkirk v Fraserburgh
Wick Academy v Linlithgow Rose
Peterhead v Livingston
Huntly v Hutchison Vale Lothian Thistle
Elgin City v Raith Rovers
Airdrieonians v Brechin City
Ayr United v Dunfermline Athletic
Inverurie Loco Works v Annan Athletic
Stenhousemuir v East Kilbride
Cowdenbeath v Arbroath