Fifteen matches take place on Saturday before St Mirren host Dunfermline Athletic on Sunday, with the Premier Sports Cup group stage reaching its conclusion. The eight group winners and three best second-place sides will advance, joining Celtic, Rangers, Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian and Motherwell — Scotland’s five European representatives — in the last 16.
Aberdeen can seal top spot with a draw against Kelty Hearts at Pittodrie. Manager Stephen Robinson was encouraged after Wednesday’s emphatic victory over Queen of the South, saying: “We’ve won three games and we’ve created a lot of chances, that’s the good thing. Of course, there are things to improve on. We’ve brought in 10 new players, so it takes time, but you have to pick up results in this competition.” Should Aberdeen slip up, Queen’s Park can move above them by beating Queen of the South — three points could also be enough for the Spiders to progress as runners-up.
Dundee United sit top of their group on nine points having played all four of their matches. If Montrose draw or beat The Spartans, they will leapfrog Jim Goodwin’s side, though United would still likely progress as runners-up given their points tally and goal difference. Arbroath’s clash with Stirling Albion is effectively a dead rubber, with neither side able to qualify.
Sunday’s meeting between St Mirren and Dunfermline is the most clear-cut scenario in the competition. St Mirren, who won the Premier Sports Cup last season after coming through the group stage, simply need a draw or a win to guarantee their place in the last 16. Dunfermline must win by three goals to take top spot, though a smaller margin of victory could still be enough to see them through as runners-up.
Image credit: BBC Sport / BBC Sport
