2024–25 Scottish League Cup group stage
Football tournament season
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2024–25 Scottish League Cup group stage was played from 13 July to 28 July 2024.[1] A total of 40 teams competed in the group stage. The winners of each of the eight groups as well as the three best runners-up progressed to the second round (last 16) of the 2024–25 Scottish League Cup.
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country | Scotland |
| Dates | 13 July 2024 – 28 July 2024 |
| Teams | 40 |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 80 |
| Goals scored | 269 (3.36 per match) |
| Top goal scorer | Ben Wilson (6 goals) |
Format
The competition begins with eight groups of five teams; each team plays one match only against each other team in the group, either home or away, for a total of two home and two away matches.[2] The five clubs initially competing in the UEFA Champions League (Celtic and Rangers), Europa League (Heart of Midlothian and Kilmarnock) and Conference League (St Mirren) receive a bye to the second round. The group stage consists of 40 teams: all remaining teams that competed across the SPFL in 2023–24, the 2023–24 Highland Football League champions (Buckie Thistle) and runners-up (Brechin City), and the 2023–24 Lowland Football League champions (East Kilbride).[2]
The winners of each of the eight groups, as well as the three best runners-up, progress to the second round (last 16). At this stage, the competition reverts to the traditional knock-out format. The three group winners with the highest points total and the European entrants are seeded.
The traditional point system of awarding three points for a win and one point for a draw is used. In addition, for each group stage match that finishes in a draw, a penalty shoot-out takes place, with the winner being awarded a bonus point.[3]
The draw for the group stage took place on 29 May 2024 and was broadcast live on the Premier Sports and SPFL YouTube channels.[4]
Teams
The teams are seeded according to their final league positions in 2023–24 and drawn into eight groups, with each group comprising one team from each pot.
Seeding
Teams in Bold qualified for the second round.
| Pot 1 | Pot 2 | Pot 3 | Pot 4 | Pot 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
01. Dundee |
09. Raith Rovers |
17. Arbroath |
25. Annan Athletic |
33. Forfar Athletic |
Source:[2]
Group stage
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | ABE | AIR | QOS | EKB | DUM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aberdeen | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 | +14 | 12 | Qualification for the second round | — | 2–1 | — | — | 6–0 | |
| 2 | Airdrieonians | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 5 | +10 | 9 | — | — | 2–0 | 8–0 | — | ||
| 3 | Queen of the South | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 6 | 0–3 | — | — | — | 2–0 | ||
| 4 | East Kilbride | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 16 | −14 | 2 | 0–4 | — | 1–3 | — | — | ||
| 5 | Dumbarton | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 13 | −9 | 1 | — | 3–4 | — | 1–1p | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Matches
Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | FAL | DUN | AYR | STE | BUC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Falkirk | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 2 | +9 | 9 | Qualification for the second round | — | 2–0 | — | 4–0 | — | |
| 2 | Dundee United | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 5 | +5 | 9 | — | — | 2–1 | 3–0 | — | ||
| 3 | Ayr United | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 5 | +4 | 9 | 1–0 | — | — | — | 3–2 | ||
| 4 | Stenhousemuir | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 11 | −6 | 3 | — | — | 1–4 | — | 4–0 | ||
| 5 | Buckie Thistle | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 17 | −12 | 0 | 1–5 | 2–5 | — | — | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Matches
| Stenhousemuir | 4–0 | Buckie Thistle |
|---|---|---|
|
[19] |
| Ayr United | 1–0 | Falkirk |
|---|---|---|
|
[20] |
| Dundee United | 3–0 | Stenhousemuir |
|---|---|---|
|
[21] |
Group C
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | HIB | QPA | PET | KEL | ELG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hibernian | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 2 | +12 | 9 | Qualification for the second round | — | 5–1 | 4–0 | — | — | |
| 2 | Queen's Park | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 5 | +11 | 9 | — | — | — | 6–0 | 4–0 | ||
| 3 | Peterhead | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 11 | −6 | 6 | — | 0–5 | — | — | 4–2 | ||
| 4 | Kelty Hearts | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 | −6 | 4 | 1–0 | — | 0–1 | — | — | ||
| 5 | Elgin City | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 14 | −11 | 2 | 0–5 | — | — | p1–1 | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Matches
| Kelty Hearts | 1–0 | Hibernian |
|---|---|---|
|
[33] |
| Kelty Hearts | 0–1 | Peterhead |
|---|---|---|
| [35] |
|
| Hibernian | 4–0 | Peterhead |
|---|---|---|
|
[37] |
Group D
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | DND | ANN | ARB | ICT | BON | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dundee | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 2 | +16 | 12 | Qualification for the second round | — | 3–1 | — | 6–0 | — | |
| 2 | Annan Athletic | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 7 | — | — | — | 1–0 | 2–2p | ||
| 3 | Arbroath | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | −4 | 5 | 0–2 | 0–3 | — | — | — | ||
| 4 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | −4 | 4 | — | — | 0–0p | — | 3–0 | ||
| 5 | Bonnyrigg Rose | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 13 | −10 | 2 | 1–7 | — | 0–1 | — | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Matches
| Annan Athletic | 1–0 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle |
|---|---|---|
|
[40] |
| Dundee | 3–1 | Annan Athletic |
|---|---|---|
|
[46] |
|
| Dundee | 6–0 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle |
|---|---|---|
|
[49] |
Group E
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | SPA | LIV | FOR | DNF | COV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Spartans | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 9 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | 1–0 | 0–3 | — | |
| 2 | Livingston | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 9 | 0–1 | — | — | 1–0 | — | ||
| 3 | Forfar Athletic | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 6 | — | 0–2 | — | — | 3–0[a] | ||
| 4 | Dunfermline Athletic | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 3 | — | — | 0–2 | — | 1–2 | ||
| 5 | Cove Rangers | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 11 | −9 | 3 | 0–5 | 0–2 | — | — | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Notes:
Matches
| Cove Rangers | 0–5 | The Spartans |
|---|---|---|
| [54] |
|
| The Spartans | 1–0 | Forfar Athletic |
|---|---|---|
|
[59] |
| Livingston | 0–1 | The Spartans |
|---|---|---|
| [61] |
|
- Notes
Group F
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | STJ | ALL | EFI | GMO | BRE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Johnstone | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 5 | +6 | 9 | Qualification for the second round | — | — | 5–1 | 2–0 | — | |
| 2 | Alloa Athletic | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 8 | 3–2 | — | p0–0 | — | — | ||
| 3 | East Fife | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 7 | — | — | — | 3–0 | 4–0 | ||
| 4 | Greenock Morton | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | −3 | 6 | — | 2–1 | — | — | 1–0 | ||
| 5 | Brechin City | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 10 | −8 | 0 | 1–2 | 1–3 | — | — | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Matches
| Greenock Morton | 1–0 | Brechin City |
|---|---|---|
|
[66] |
| St Johnstone | 2–0 | Greenock Morton |
|---|---|---|
|
[68] |
| Alloa Athletic | 3–2 | St Johnstone |
|---|---|---|
|
[69] |
|
| St Johnstone | 5–1 | East Fife |
|---|---|---|
|
[72] |
|
Group G
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | MOT | PAR | MON | CLY | EDI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motherwell | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 2 | +5 | 9 | Qualification for the second round | — | 0–0p | — | — | 3–0 | |
| 2 | Partick Thistle | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 5 | +6 | 8 | — | — | 3–2 | 2–3 | — | ||
| 3 | Montrose | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 7 | 1–1p | — | — | — | 2–1 | ||
| 4 | Clyde | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 6 | +3 | 6 | 1–3 | — | 0–1 | — | — | ||
| 5 | Edinburgh City | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 16 | −15 | 0 | — | 0–6 | — | 0–5 | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Matches
| Clyde | 1–3 | Motherwell |
|---|---|---|
|
[78] |
|
| Montrose | 2–1 | Edinburgh City |
|---|---|---|
|
[80] |
|
| Partick Thistle | 2–3 | Clyde |
|---|---|---|
|
[81] |
| Clyde | 0–1 | Montrose |
|---|---|---|
| [82] |
|
Group H
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | ROS | RAI | HAM | STI | STR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ross County | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 3 | +7 | 12 | Qualification for the second round | — | 2–1 | — | 3–0 | — | |
| 2 | Raith Rovers | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 8 | — | — | p1–1 | — | 2–1 | ||
| 3 | Hamilton Academical | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 5 | 1–2 | — | — | 0–0p | — | ||
| 4 | Stirling Albion | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | −6 | 4 | — | 0–3 | — | — | p2–2 | ||
| 5 | Stranraer | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 10 | −6 | 1 | 1–3 | — | 0–3 | — | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[6]
Matches
Best runners-up
| Pos | Grp | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | Queen's Park | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 5 | +11 | 9 | Qualification for the second round |
| 2 | A | Airdrieonians | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 5 | +10 | 9 | |
| 3 | B | Dundee United | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 5 | +5 | 9 | |
| 4 | E | Livingston | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 9 | |
| 5 | G | Partick Thistle | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 5 | +6 | 8 | |
| 6 | H | Raith Rovers | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 8 | |
| 7 | F | Alloa Athletic | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 8 | |
| 8 | D | Annan Athletic | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 7 |