Capital pair look to rebound from Scottish Cup exits in local derby at Ainslie Park

Both sides were knocked out of the Scottish Cup first round last weekend after defeats away to League Two outfits Stranraer and Elgin City respectively and will be keen to return to winning ways.

Spartans manager Dougie Samuel said: "Everyone in the home dressing room is looking forward to a north Edinburgh derby to start 2021. Games against Strollers are always a tough test, they are a difficult team to break down. I've got a great deal of respect for Gary Jardine and am certain his side will be well prepared, organised and desperate to win.

"January is full of tough tests, starting with Strollers. it would be great to start the year with a win to set us up for a strong month."

Meanwhile, Strollers boss Jardine said: "In normal circumstances we'd be excited and looking forward to playing in a local derby but, with the way things are at the present, everyone with mixed feelings and football is perhaps not at the forefront.

"However, the alternative, no football, would be worse so we will look forward to enjoying playing. We played really well last week against a good Elgin side but made errors at crucial times and perhaps let our opponents off the hook. The players have been in good form and hopefully that can continue tomorrow against a top side."

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