Our prediction for this Scottish Cup match:
A spot in the Scottish Cup semis will be at stake when Inverness and Kilmarnock face each other at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium on Friday evening. Billy Dodds’ troops did well to crush Livingston 3-0 in the last 16, and they are now on a quest to claim yet another major scalp in the Scottish Cup. Keep in mind, though, that all Shane Sutherland, Tom Walsh, and Roddy MacGregor are sidelined with injuries.
The Killie, on the other hand, aim to recover from the Premiership defeat to Rangers, but beating Inverness on the road is easier said than done. A close encounter is on the cards, and we predict that the winner will be decided after extra-time. As for the Premier League side, Liam Donnelly is a major doubt, while Friday’s game comes too early for Ben Chrisene. Innes Cameron should make his long-awaited return against Inverness.
Highlighted Player (Christian Doidge):
Over the years Christian Doidge has established himself as one of the best attackers in Scotland Premiership. Born on August 25, 1992 in Newport, Doidge is a Wales international who plays for Hibernian in the Scottish top flight.
He is a product of the Southampton football academy, but he did not see any game action in the Premier League with the Saints. The towering striker played for Bristol Rovers during his youth career as well before joining Cwmbran Celtic at senior level. He played for the likes of Barry Town, Carmanthen Town, Dag & Red, Dartford (loan), Forest Green Rovers, and Bolton Wanderers (loan) as well before signing a deal with the Hibs.
Christian Doidge made his Scotland Premier League debut on August 3, 2019 in a 1-0 win over St. Mirren. The Wales attacker scored his first league goal for the Hibs against the same opponent three months late. Doidge has yet to receive a call-up for the Wales national football team.
Highlighted Team (Kilmarnock):
Founded on January 5, 1869, Kilmarnock are the oldest professional club in Scotland. The Killie welcome their opponents at Rugby Park, the stadium with the artificial turf. The venue, which was opened back in August 1899, can hold up to 17,889 people.
Kilmarnock won their first and only Scotland Premier League trophy in the 1964/65 season despite being level on points with Hearts at the end of the season. Fellow Ayrshire club Ayr United are considered the Killie’s bitterest rivals. The two teams have been facing each other in the Ayrshire derby since September 1910.
Dark blue is the dominant colour of the club’s home kit, while Kilmarnock footballers wear yellow and blues kit when playing on the travels. The Killie recorded their biggest win back in 1896, with the team beating Saltcoats Victoria 13-2 in the second round of the Scottish Qualifying Cup. The club suffered their biggest defeat in August 1938 as they were hammered by Celtic 9-1 in the Scottish League Division.