Match preview: Inverness Caledonian Thistle return to Betfred Cup action against high-flying Raith Rovers
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The Betfred Cup returns with a trip to Fife facing Inverness Caledonian Thistle, as John Robertson takes his team to the Championship leaders in Raith Rovers.
Although still mathematically possible, it would take an unlikely set of circumstances at best for Caley Thistle to make it into the second round, so Robertson's focus has turned to building his players' fitness levels.
However, with Raith flying high in the league, a good result would be a huge confidence booster for ICT and go a long way to building momentum to take back into the Championship.
Team News
Inverness Caledonian Thistle: John Robertson will start several of the players who have been working their way back from injury to build up their match fitness.
That means Danny Devine, James Vincent, James Keatings and Shane Sutherland will all come into the line-up, while the likes of Daniel Mackay and Roddy MacGregor could drop out after playing every match so far this season.
The only question mark is over Aaron Doran, who scored as a substitute against Hearts last Saturday, who will play some part but may have to settle for a place on the bench once again.
Raith Rovers: Young midfielder Dylan Tait is suspended after picking up bookings in each of Raith's Betfred Cup group games so far, against East Fife and Hearts.
Iain Davidson will miss out too after picking up an injury in the first half against Morton on Saturday, with the defender likely to miss a couple of weeks, while on-loan forward Lars Lokotsch is cup-tied after playing for Livingston in the competition last month.
Recent form
Inverness Caledonian Thistle: lost 2–1 away at Hearts, won 3–1 at home against Arbroath, drew 1–1 at home against Ayr United, lost 3–1 away at Dunfermline, drew 0–0 at home against Cowdenbeath (won 4–2 on penalties).
Raith Rovers: won 5–0 at home against Morton, drew 1–1 away at Dundee, won 5–2 away at Queen of the South, won 3–0 at home against Arbroath, lost 3–1 away at Hearts.
Head-to-head (all competitions)
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 17
Draws 3
Raith Rovers 5
Last five meetings
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4–1 Raith Rovers – Betfred Cup, Saturday, July 20, 2019
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2–1 Raith Rovers – Betfred Cup, Tuesday, July 24, 2018
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1–0 Raith Rovers – Scottish Cup, Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4–3 Raith Rovers – Division One, Saturday, April 3, 2010
Raith Rovers 0–4 Inverness Caledonian Thistle – Division One, Saturday, February 13, 2010
Ones to watch
Inverness Caledonian Thistle: Shane Sutherland – the former Elgin City striker has not had the chance to hit the ground running second time around at the Caledonian Stadium thanks to injury, but John Robertson has said he will start tonight.
It is an important opportunity for him to build up his sharpness against a good level of opposition, but it is also important for his spot in the side that he finds the back of the net.
Nikolay Todorov has found the net regularly since the start of the Championship campaign, so while Sutherland has scored prolifically in the lower leagues he needs to establish himself again at Inverness to displace the in-form Bulgarian on a regular basis.
Raith Rovers: Ethan Ross – the on-loan Aberdeen winger has impressed in recent weeks, bringing an energy to Raith's wide-play alongside Daniel Armstrong on the opposite flank.
The 19-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Dunfermline, but after that was cut short he was given the chance to establish himself in the Championship with the newest team in the division.
Ross has been ever-present for the Kirkcaldy outfit, so is sure to cause problems for whoever he goes up against in the Caley Thistle defence.
ICT manager John Robertson's pre-match thoughts
“Raith are full of energy and movement – and they are playing with confidence.
“They will be champing at the bit to play another game, and try to qualify from the group. When you are in a run of form like they are, games can’t come quick enough.
“They will be enjoying ourselves. That’s why it’s important for us to go down there to get a victory on the board, try to do the same against East Fife, and then get into the same sort of mindset Raith are in.
“Never underestimate the effect momentum and confidence can have on a team – if you have got that, you are a very difficult side to beat.
"I don't think we can qualify, even if we win our last two games with a big score it doesn't look like we can get through, so we have to ask what we can get our of these matches and for me it's about getting players match fit now."
