Forfar Athletic v Hibs: Betfred Cup team news, starting XI, how to watch, match odds

Hibs continue their Betfred Cup campaign with a trip to League One side Forfar Athletic on Tuesday night.

Hibs manager Jack Ross has selection problems for the trip to Forfar on Tuesday. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

The Easter Road side has enjoyed a winning start to the competition, taking the maximum six points from their opening two Group B matches and currently sit second in the table, behind Dundee on goal difference, who they meet in the final group fixture on November 15.

The match – Hibs’ first trip to Station Park since the 1940s – is going ahead as planned despite a Forfar player testing positive for coronavirus last week.

Jack Ross will have to negotiate the tie without ELEVEN first team players who are either injured, self-isolating or on international duty.

As a result the Hibs boss will again turn to some of his fringe men as he did for the wins over Brora and Cove Rangers.

Team news: Hibs are down to the bare bones with Lewis Stevenson, Paul Hanlon, Jamie Murphy, Joe Newell and Drey Wright all nursing injuries, Scott Allan ruled out on medical grounds, Josh Doig self-isolating after Scotland Under-19 coach Billy Stark tested positive for coronavirus, and Alex Gogic, Ofir Marciano, Ryan Porteous and Paul McGinn all on international duty.

With Marciano unavailable and Kevin Dabrowski on loan at Dumbarton, Dillon Barnes will start in goals for the third match in succession with goalkeeping coach Craig Samson again likely to provide cover on the bench.

Kyle Magennis, the deadline day signing from St Mirren, could make his first start for the club after two substitute appearances against Brora and Cove Rangers while Sean Mackie may make his first appearance of the season as he steps up his comeback from injury.

After scoring his first goal of the campaign on Saturday, expect to see Jamie Gullan brought back into the starting line-up.

Possible line-up: (4-4-2) Barnes; Hallberg, Gray, McGregor, Mackie; Boyle, Magennis, Mallan, Gullan; Nisbet, Doidge. Subs from: Wright, S.McGinn, Bradley, Shanley, Samson.

Match details: Kick-off 7.45pm, Station Park, Forfar.

How to watch: Forfar have confirmed that a live stream will be available to ALL fans for Tuesday’s Betfred Cup Group B match on a pay-per-view basis priced at £12.50.

The rules of the Betfred Cup competition mean the virtual receipts from this game are split between both clubs.

You can register for the stream HERE. Once registered you will be asked if you have an Access code. There is NO Access code for this game – therefore please click ‘Not Now’ and you will be taken to the main match page.

Key stat: You have to go all the way back to 22 January, 1949, for the last time the sides met in a competitive fixture. Hibs defeated Forfar 4-0 in a Scottish Cup tie, with goals from Willie Ormond (2), Eddie Turnbull and Angus Plumb.

Referee: David Munro – his last match involving Hibs was the 2-2 against St Mirren at Easter Road on February 1. He is assisted by David Roome and Jonathan Bell.

Match odds: Forfar 12/1 Draw 13/2 Hibs 2/13 (odds supplied by McBookie).