By Tim Oliver
Stirling University v Glasgow City
Stirling University, 4 September 2016, Kick-off: 2pm
For the second Sunday in a row, Stirling University host Glasgow City at home. This time, it is in the Scottish Women’s Cup Quarter-Final.
Last week, City were 3-0 victors in the league and while the odds state that this is likely City will win again, you can’t take Stirling lightly or negate the fact that it is a cup tie. Cups have an attraction to fans because anything can happen.
Stirling have beaten Celtic at home and possess an organised team, that has a great attacking threat and can make life difficult for any team.
To reach this stage, Stirling have beaten Westerlands 10-0 in the Second Round and beat a dangerous Dundee United side 6-1 in the Third Round.
Glasgow City, who are looking to win a sixth Women’s Scottish Cup in a row, will be well aware of the threats their opponents present. They will be boosted though by their recent good form since the break that has seen them record convincing wins over Hibernian and Rangers.
In the three matches City have played against Stirling this season, they’ve won all three – winning the first two 1-0 and 8-1 respectively.
Hibernian v Celtic
Albyn Park, Kick-off: 2pm
Hibernian host Celtic in the second all SWPL 1 quarter-final, where one of the favourites for the cup will be eliminated.
Hibernian, who have already won the SWPL Cup, will go into today’s match knowing that the Scottish Cup is their best chance of another trophy this season. In the league, they’ve fallen five points behind Glasgow City which means that the title is no longer in their hands, although, they won’t give up.
Hibs are in good form, and last week, they brought their scoring boots as they thrashed Rangers 9-0.
On route to the quarter-finals, Hibs have beaten Boroughmuir Thistle 11-0 and Renfrew 19-0.
Celtic too, know this is their best chance of a trophy as they can’t win the SWPL 1 title, sitting fifteen points behind Glasgow City. They’ve strengthened their attacking capabilities with the signings of Heather Richards and Ruesha Littlejohn, and are getting close to closing down the gap on the top two.
This is the fourth time that these sides have met in all competitions, and all the past three matches have ended in single-goal wins for Hibernian.
Celtic have played only SWPL 1 opposition on route to this match, beating Aberdeen 7-0 and Forfar Farmington 3-1.
Jeanfield Swifts v Glasgow Girls
McDiarmid Park, Kick-off: 4pm
The late kick-off sees an all SWPL 2 clash as Jeanfield Swifts host the league leaders Glasgow Girls.
Jeanfield Swifts have developed into a really dangerous attacking team and although they maybe haven’t had the results they would have wanted against the top four sides, they have the capabilities to beat them.
Jeanfield have beaten Ross County 18-0 and Raith Rovers to reach this stage.
Glasgow Girls have overcome their blip defeat against Hearts and returned to both winning ways and to the top of the SWPL 2. As with Jeanfield, Glasgow Girls know they have a great chance of playing in a major semi-final as well as having a possibility of reaching the final, with two all-SWPL 2 quarter-final ties.
Glasgow Girls have beaten Motherwell 4-1 and Dunfermline Athletic 4-0.
Both games in the SWPL 2 between these two teams have ended in Glasgow Girls wins.
