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Sportsound: The Scottish League Cup BBC Radio Scotland This video can not be played Sportsound: The Scottish League Cup BBC Radio Scotland Listen to Sportsound Follow score updates updates from Saturday's Premier Sports Cup fixtures Dundee v Montrose (15: 00) Dundee are already eliminated, but picture agencies are at the otherwise meaningless game at home to local rivals Montrose in case Steven Pressley's Premiership side suffer another shock result. Third-tier Montrose are looking for a shock win at Dens Park Kilmarnock v East Fife (15: 00) Alasdair Lamont BBC Sport Scotland Just spoken to both management teams, who know a place in the second round could be theirs by the close of play. A victory will guarantee that for Killie, but Stuart Kettlewell was underlining a moment ago how close his side will have to be to their best to take all three points. Ian Campbell, brother Dick's assistant at East Fife, feels his side will be difficult to beat and, who knows, there could be a shock on the cards. Falkirk v Spartans (15: 00) Falkirk head coach John Mc Glynn tells BBC Sportsound: "We know what we need to do. We win, we win the group, but we have got to take care of this game and we respect Spartans a lot. "If we move the ball quickly, we should have too much for them. " As for adding to his squad before the Premiership season starts, Mc Glynn adds: "We are waiting in a few loan deals to go through. " Kilmarnock v East Fife (15: 00) Kilmarnock boss Stuart Kettlewell has made eight changes to his side as they host League 2 champions East Fife in a game the Premiership side need to win to ensure they top Group H. Kettlewell says it was always the plan to give his squad chances during the League Cup rather than it being a result of any disappointment at the midweek draw away to Kelty Hearts. Stuart Kettlewell has been chatting to East Fife assistant Ian Campbell Livingston v Kelty Hearts (15: 00) There's a new, but not unfamiliar, face on Livingston's bench this afternoon. David Martindale's side have signed 21-year-old midfielder Aidan Denholm on a three-year deal from Hearts. Denholm spent the start of last season on loan to Ross County, but his stay in Dingwall was cut short due to injury. Aidan Denholm could make his Livingston debut Premier Sports Cup, Group H Three teams start the day with a chance of finishing top of Group H, but leaders Kilmarnock are favourites considering Stuart Kettlewell's Premiership side host third-tier opposition. However, League 2 champions East Fife sit just a point behind in second ahead of top-tier returnees Livingston, with both needing a win to have a chance of either finishing top or as one of the best runners-up. Kelty Hearts could yet finish second but would fall short of a best runners-up spot even if they win away to Livi. Premier Sports Cup, Group G With top-tier Motherwell already through as group winners, Championship side Greenock Morton and fourth-tier Clyde face up in a game both must win if they are to have a chance of finishing as one of the best runners-up. Clyde head down the Clyde coast technically unbeaten apart from their bonus-point shoot-out after drawing with Well. Premier Sports Cup, Group F Relegated St Johnstone have lived up to their billing as favourites in the second group without a Premiership side and only need a point against League 2 visitors Elgin City to secure top spot. Championship rivals Raith Rovers are already eliminated as they host third-tier Inverness Caledonian Thistle, who are three points behind Saints and need a win to have a chance of either winning the group or finishing as one of the best runners-up. Premier Sports Cup, Group E Hearts have already clinched top spot in Group E after four straight wins under new head coach Derek Mc Innes. Neil Lennon's Dunfermline Athletic are second and the Championship side need a win over fourth-tier visitors Stirling Albion to finish on nine points and an outside chance of being one of the best runners-up. Premier Sports Cup, Group D There's little to play for other than pride at Station Park, with the decisive game in Group D coming tomorrow as St Mirren host leaders Ayr United. Arbroath are not officially eliminated, but even a draw, which would take them above St Mirren, would only take them to eight points - not enough to be one of the three best runners-up. Premier Sports Cup, Group C Premiership side Dundee have failed to live up to their billing as group favourites, with new head coach Steven Pressley's side already eliminated as they entertain local rivals Montrose. So qualification is a straight fight between second-tier Airdrieonians and League 2 visitors Alloa Athletic, with the possibility that both could yet go through to the last 16. Premier Sports Cup, Group B This, one of two groups without a Premiership side, was always likely to come down to this - a showdown between relegated Ross County and Championship rivals Partick Thistle. Thistle are two points better off, but the Dingwall side will hope to make home advantage count - especially as anything less than a win is likely to mean elimination given other teams are better placed to fill one of three available places in the last 16 for group runners-up. Ross County centre-half Declan Gallagher and Partick Thistle forward Tony Watt were with Dundee United last season Premier Sports Cup, Group A Championship winners Falkirk are favourites to stay top given they have a point advantage over Cove Rangers going into a home game against fourth-tier visitors. Spartans are behind Cove on goal difference but would have to spring a major surprise to have a chance of finishing second. Meanwhile, third-tier Cove have a difficult game away to Queen's Park, albeit the Championship side are already eliminated. Rangers 0-1 Middlebrough Neto Borges has given Middlesbrough an early lead in their friendly against Rangers at Ibrox. Middlesbrough head coach Rob Edwards and Rangers' Russell Martin know each other well from English football Scotland striker Tommy Conway faces Rangers for Middlesbrough Premier Sports Cup group stage There are three spaces available for the best runners-up. Alloa Athletic are the best-placed side sitting second in their section at present with nine points, with Ross County and St Mirren behind on seven, the latter being ahead of Cove Rangers on goal difference. However, all that is likely to change as all of those could still win their group and all but County can be caught by teams below. Remember that Scotland's five teams involved in European qualification have received byes to the last 16, the draw for which is tomorrow after St Mirren host Ayr United in the final group game. It means Rangers prepare for their Champions League qualifying second leg against Panathinaikos by hosting Middlesbrough in a friendly at Ibrox this afternoon. League Cup holders Celtic continue their preparations in the Como Cup third/fourth play-off against Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli this evening, while Hearts, who have already qualified from their League Cup group, entertain Sunderland in Craig Gordon's testimonial. BBC Radio Scotland Liam Mc Leod is your host on Sportsound's coverage of today's League Cup games, with former Scotland striker Billy Dodds among the pundits giving expert analysis. It's just started on BBC Radio Scotland and you can listen by pressing the button at the top of this page. Premier Sports Cup group stage We've reached the climax of the Premier Sports Cup group stage and there's still plenty to play for. Only Heart of Midlothian and Motherwell have secured qualification to the last 16 so far from the eight groups. Stay with us for the build-up, goal and action updates, plus post-match reaction from around the grounds on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound and here online. Hearts are already qualified and host Sunderland in Craig Gordon's testimonial Last Updated 24th July 2025 at 13: 47 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.