Morton
will look to get back to winning ways tomorrow
when they welcome East Fife to Cappielow. The
Ton have yet to register a win in 04 and have
picked up just 2 points from a possible 12.
Hamilton had the opportunity of further narrowing
the Tons diminishing lead at the top to four
points in midweek but surprisingly fell to Stenhousemuir,
a result which was greeted as much as a win
for Morton as they saw their lead remain at
7 points.
Manager John
McCormack insists there is no crisis despite
recent results and believes 100% in the ability
of players who took Morton to the top of the
league to remain there. Indeed most teams go
through a bad spell and hopefully Morton's will
be coming to an end in the immediate future.
While Morton
have retained their place at the top their fellow
promotion contenders for a time east Fife have
plummeted down the league to third bottom. Many
were surprised of the lofty position held by
the Methil men for a while but possibly their
much noted lack of ability has shown through
and they may well be looking to consolidate
their place in this league for next season.
Team
News
Definitely
back in the squad will be Stewart Greacan. The
towering defender has been solid at the back
for Morton this season as well as chipping in
with his share of goals and is definitely a
player who most would choose as first choice
in defence. He came through a 2-1 reserve victory
over Falkirk in midweek and looks likely to
play tomorrow. In the present set up Stewart
would partner McLeod or Mcgregor in a back three
although Cowboy may decide on switching formation
and all three may be involved.
Marco Maisano
picked up another booking against Forfar last
week and has taken his penalty points tally
to 18 which means that he will miss two matches.
This will not take effect however until 21st
February which will see him miss the trip to
Alloa and the home game versus berwick, but
he should play tomorrow.
Alex Williams
who was taken off at Forfar should also be fit
to play.
Two of the
usual subs, Phil Cannie and Jani Uotinen, are
likely to be absent tomorrow with Phil having
sustained a fractured wrist which will see him
out for a few weeks.
Previous
Meetings
Of course
both clubs are no strangers to each other with
both teams having occupied the two promotion
places in the third division last year. Morton
enjoyed the clashes with our nearest rivals
having collected 10 from a possible 12 points
from them, and who could forget Warren hawke
scoring that goal near the end of the season
at New Bayview.
This season
Morton defeated the methil men at Cappielow
in August in a 2-1 victory. East Fife took the
lead through Donaldson but Morton fought back
to claim victory through Peter Weatherson and
a late goal by Mel Botiglieri to clinch the
points. (Match
Report). The clubs met on a cold November
day at New Bayview when the entertainment on
offer did nothing to warm up the hardy souls
who braved the North sea wind, the game ending
0-0.
Elsewhere
Airdrie
welcome Dumbarton
and both sides will still be looking to claim
the second promotion spot at least. Despite
only claiming their second win since the 6-1
hammering by Morton the Lanarkshire side remain
only 3 points of second spot with a game in
hand. Dumbarton got back to winning ways by
beating Berwick 4-1 last week. The Sons certainly
like playing at home having beat Morton and
Forfar after the new year before suffering two
away defeats.
Hamilton
will be looking to put their midweek defeat
by Stenny behind them as they look to keep up
their promotion push. They visit Arbroath
who after drawing with Morton with a last minute
penalty were thrashed 4-0 by the in form Alloa
last week.
Berwick
have the unenviable task of trying to put an
end to Alloa's
rejuvenated run of form. Tom Hendrie has ensured
the Wasps are the in form side in the league
with the Clackmannanshire side winning 5 in
a row remaining undefeated this year. They are
doing so in impressive manner also having scored
15 goals while conceding only 1 in the process.
Stenhousemuir's
1-0 win over Hamilton in midweek was welcomed
by Morton fans as it ensured the 7 point gap
over the Lanarkshire side remained. They welcome
Forfar
tomorrow who have had a mixed start to the year
but defeated Morton last week.
Odds
Morton are
8/15 favourites to win tomorrow while East Fife
are15/4. If you feel a draw is the most likely
outcome the odds are 11/4.
Using above
for your betting will help Mortononline
|
