Ladbrokes League Two: Spiders look to spin a web over leaders Elgin

It promises to be another bumper weekend of entertaining football and unpredictable results, as the Ladbrokes League Two division shapes up to be one of the most exciting and open in the country. 

There is a Borders derby to whet the appetite, and current top dogs Elgin visit the national stadium as they take on Queen’s Park.

Here’s your weekend preview…

Arbroath v Stirling

Arbroath recorded their first win of the season last time out, as a late winner saw off East Fife. The Red Lichties will be looking to build on this positive result, as they seek to clamber off bottom spot. Gayfield is usually a daunting place for visiting teams to play, but this campaign they have been far from impressive on home soil, losing on all four occasions.

They will not be encouraged by the fact they are taking on a Stirling side who are on top form. After a sluggish start, The Binos have turned things around with back-to-back victories. It’s been five years since Stuart McLaren’s side have won here but it looks like this record may well end.

Best Bet: Stirling Albion (Draw No Bet) – Evens

Berwick v Annan

It’s the battle of the Borders as Annan make the trip east to take on Berwick Rangers. This fixture is seen as a local derby despite the 85 miles between the sides, and it should be a keenly fought encounter.

The home side will welcome a return to the comforts of Shielfield Park, after a disappointing 4-1 defeat at Elgin last weekend. Colin Cameron’s men have are unbeaten this season in front of their home fans, with three wins and a draw.

The visiting Galabankies are level with their hosts, with a promising return of ten points, however they have lost their last two on the road 3-1 and 4-2 respectively.

Best Bet: Berwick Rangers – 6/5

East Fife v Clyde

Goals seem to be on the cards as in-form Clyde travel to Bayview to take on East Fife.  The men from Methil have an impressive scoring rate on home soil, finding the net seven times in three fixtures thus far.

Barry Ferguson finally seems to have got his Clyde outfit motoring, and three wins on the spin have moved the Bully Wee to joint top of the Ladbrokes League Two table. The Fifers have the best defensive record in the division, but they will have to be at their best here, with the visitors scoring an impressive eight goals in those three victories.

In six of the previous nine meetings both sides have found the net and with their recent goalscoring prowess this may be another busy afternoon for both keepers.

Best Bet:  Both teams to score – 3/5

Montrose v East Stirling

Montrose are looking to avoid successive defeats to Stirlingshire sides in as many weeks. Craig Tully’s troops had the opportunity to make it four wins out of five but went down to a 1-0 reverse against Stirling Albion.  The home side have won their last three at Links Park, all to nil with eight goals scored.

East Sirling, on the other hand, do not travel well. They have received three thumping defeats away from Ochilview this season, conceding an eye watering twelve goals in the process.

Five of the last seven match-ups in Angus have gone to the Gable Endies, and all things point to the home fans going happy from this one.

Best Bet:  Montrose to win to nil – 12/5

Queen’s Park v Elgin

Hampden Park plays home to two teams that recorded thumping victories last time out. Queen’s Park romped home to a 5-1 win over East Stirling, as the Spiders moved to within three points of top spot.

Elgin took over the reins at the top of the division, after a storming 4-1 win at home to Berwick. The League Two top spot seems to be a bit of a poisoned chalice in these early stages, with the lead changing hands almost every weekend in a highly competitive division.

The home side have ruled the roost in this fixture in recent times, with the Glasgow outfit winning four and drawing one of the last five meetings.

Best Bet: Queen’s Park – 20/21