Stirling University host Elgin City in the Scottish FA Cup. It's a tie between two sides from very different levels of the Scottish game, with Elgin's regular football coming a tier higher in League Two.
Elgin have had plenty of good moments this season, though their form has dipped sharply in recent weeks. Stirling, for their part, have found wins hard to come by for most of the year.
Analysis updated .
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Form guide: a gap on paper, a wobble in practice
Elgin City have had a reasonable season by their own standards, winning 10 of their last 20 matches across all competitions and scoring 50 goals against 32 conceded. The recent trend has gone the other way, though. They've lost three of their last five games, including a heavy 2-6 home defeat to Clyde in League Two and a cup exit away at Peterhead.
Stirling University: 20 completed matches; Elgin City: 20 completed matches.
Stirling University
- Win
- 20% 4 / 20
- Draw
- 5% 1 / 20
- Loss
- 75% 15 / 20
- Scored
- 18
- Conceded
- 50
- Difference
- -32
Elgin City
- Win
- 45% 9 / 20
- Draw
- 15% 3 / 20
- Loss
- 40% 8 / 20
- Scored
- 42
- Conceded
- 29
- Difference
- +13
| League | Home | Away | Date | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Football League - Lowland League | Stirling University | Hill Of Beath Hawthorn | 17.10.2026 | 1-2 |
| FA Cup | Forres Mechanics | Stirling University | 03.10.2026 | 0-1 |
| Football League - Lowland League | Civil Service Strollers | Stirling University | 26.09.2026 | 3-2 |
| Football League - Lowland League | Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | Stirling University | 19.09.2026 | 6-1 |
| Football League - Lowland League | Stirling University | Brechin | 16.09.2026 | 0-1 |
| Football League - Lowland League | Stirling University | Dunipace | 12.09.2026 | 1-0 |
| Football League - Lowland League | Stirling University | Bo'ness United | 29.08.2026 | 2-5 |
| Football League - Lowland League | Cowdenbeath | Stirling University | 22.08.2026 | 4-2 |
| Football League - Lowland League | Berwick Rangers | Stirling University | 15.08.2026 | 3-2 |
| Football League - Lowland League | Stirling University | Tranent Juniors | 08.08.2026 | 1-2 |
| League | Home | Away | Date | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| League Two | Elgin City | Edinburgh City | 17.10.2026 | 0-0 |
| Challenge Cup | Elgin City | Aberdeen U21 | 13.10.2026 | 0-1 |
| League Two | Forfar Athletic | Elgin City | 10.10.2026 | 1-2 |
| League Two | Elgin City | Clyde | 03.10.2026 | 6-2 |
| Challenge Cup | Peterhead | Elgin City | 26.09.2026 | 0-1 |
| Challenge Cup | Elgin City | Dundee II | 22.09.2026 | 3-0 |
| League Two | Elgin City | Stranraer | 19.09.2026 | 1-5 |
| League Two | Annan Athletic | Elgin City | 12.09.2026 | 2-0 |
| Challenge Cup | Elgin City | Fraserburgh | 08.09.2026 | 7-0 |
| League Two | Dumbarton | Elgin City | 05.09.2026 | 2-1 |
Stirling University's numbers paint a tougher picture overall. Just four wins from 20 matches, with 49 goals conceded in that stretch. Their recent run is no better, with only one win in their last ten outings, that coming against Dunipace in September, followed by defeats to Forres Mechanics, Civil Service Strollers and Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic.
Elgin's season record looks stronger, but their last few results suggest they're not arriving in top form.
Cup football against the form book
Cup ties can throw up surprises, and there are a few ingredients for one here. Elgin go into this match on the back of consecutive defeats, while Stirling have at least shown they can score goals in bursts even during a difficult campaign.
The gap in level still looks real. Stirling have lost 14 of their 20 matches and conceded 49 goals doing so, a defensive record that would worry anyone facing a side that's scored 50 times this season.
Stirling's defensive struggles could offer chances at both ends if Elgin's attack shows up.
Squad lists and player details
Squad and player details
| Name | Country | Age | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|
| Name | Country | Age | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T. Ritchie | Scotland | 23 | Goalkeeper | 182 cm | n/a |
Putting Elgin's recent slump alongside Stirling's season-long struggles doesn't give a clear direction here. Both sides have shown contrasting patterns that could easily flip in a one-off cup tie.
We're happy to watch this one without committing to a confident lean either way.
Who will win?
