Arbroath boss Dick Campbell admits this afternoon’s game against Elgin at Borough Briggs is hugely important to both teams and their ambitions this season.
The Red Lichties sit four points ahead of Jim Weir’s third-placed side and six behind leaders Forfar.
Arbroath reduced the gap on their Angus neighbours last Saturday by beating Cowdenbeath at Gayfield while Gary Bollan’s men were held to a 0-0 draw by Montrose at Station Park.
Elgin missed out on their own chance to claw back ground on Arbroath in midweek when they were beaten at Stirling Albion and now Campbell is wary of a backlash today.
However, his side have already beaten Elgin twice this season and the veteran manager is “quietly confident” his players can do the same again.
He said: “It was a strange game last week. We went two goals up fairly early and then it was a bit of a non-event.
“However, it was a good performance from the lads and another vital three points.
“So we will go into the game at Elgin quietly confident that we can get a result.
“I have a strong squad for what is a massive game for both sides.
“We know they will be hurting after losing in midweek but we have won up there already this season so we will be looking for the same again this time round.
“I think I will go with the same team that did so well against Cowdenbeath but Dundee loan player Josh Skelly will be absent from the squad.
“He hurt his hamstring playing for the Dundee Under-20s against Ross County on Tuesday and it looks like he will be out for three or four weeks which is a blow as he has done really well for us.”
