Scottish League One PREVIEW 19 Sep 2026: Ross County head to Cove Rangers for a first-ever league meeting off the back of an 8-0 romp

Ross County and Cove Rangers have never met in a league fixture before — their only previous meetings were cup ties, years apart — so Saturday's game at Balmoral Stadium is a first. County arrive on the back of an emphatic midweek result, an 8-0 win away to Queen of the South in a rearranged fixture on 15 September, while Cove head into the weekend having lost 2-1 away to Montrose last time out. Manager Stuart Kettlewell has been careful not to read Cove off the scoreline alone: "As much as we can look at the early league table and say they're near the bottom, I genuinely think they are better than that. They have some good experience, and one or two really exciting players who are just emerging." Our model agrees the tie is closer than the recent results suggest — of the five games on the card, this is the one it is least sure about, leaning to Ross County but with barely daylight between all three outcomes.

At New Douglas Park, Hamilton Academical host Queen of the South in the model's clearest call of the round: it makes the home side better than four-in-five to win. Hamilton have not played a league match since their fixture with Ross County was postponed on 12 September. Queen of the South, beaten 8-0 by Ross County in that rearranged fixture in midweek, had drawn 1-1 at home with East Fife the weekend before; manager Nicky Clark made just the one change to the side that had faced East Fife when his team travelled to Dingwall.

Alloa Athletic host East Kilbride at Recreation Park looking to respond to a 1-0 defeat away to Airdrieonians last weekend. The home side have strengthened through September, with Aiden Crilly arriving on a cooperation agreement from Rangers and Luca Ross also signing, while Josh Farquhar was recalled by parent club St Mirren. East Kilbride arrive full of confidence after beating Peterhead 3-1, and the model still makes Alloa clear favourites at home.

East Fife host Montrose at Bayview, both sides coming off contrasting results: East Fife drew 1-1 away to Queen of the South, while Montrose beat Cove Rangers 2-1 at Links Park, with Jamie Barjonas named man of the match. Defender Ryan Williamson recently made his 100th appearance for Montrose. Links Park's pitch is due to be replaced with a new artificial surface this month, so this may be one of the last games played on the current one. The model leans towards East Fife at home, though not strongly.

Airdrieonians travel to Peterhead looking to build on their first league win of the season, a 1-0 home victory over Alloa Athletic last weekend. Peterhead are looking for a response of their own after losing 3-1 away to East Kilbride. The model gives Peterhead a narrow edge at home.