Saturday's Scottish League Cup predictions: betting preview and football tips

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Saturday's Scottish League Cup matches.

When to bet

3pm Saturday

Best bets

Cove Rangers to beat Livingston
1pt 16-5 Betfair

St Johnstone to beat Queen of the South
1pt 8-11 Betfair, BoyleSports, Hills

Saturday's preview

Premiership outfit Livingston will be out of the Scottish League Cup if they lose at Cove on Saturday and it looks worth backing the Wee Rangers to send Livi packing.

Cove boss Paul Hartley left for Hartlepool in the summer but Jim McIntyre has taken over in the Balmoral dugout and the Aberdeen outfit are on the up.

The Wee Rangers will be playing Championship football this season and they have held on to the bulk of the squad that dominated League One last term.

Livingston’s League Cup campaign hasn’t gone to plan and David Martindale’s side were turned over by Inverness at the Tony Macaroni in this competition on Tuesday.

First-choice keeper Max Stryjek was shown a red card in that Almondvale clash and the Polish stopper is now unavailable for the trip to Cove Bay.

Cove Rangers notched 19 shots on goal in a 2-1 win over Albion Rovers in their opening group-stage match, and while the League Two side are lowly opposition, they managed to find the net twice at home to Livingston.

This match should set up nicely for Cove, with Livingston likely to have to chase the game at some point given the section standings, and at generous odds McIntyre’s side look worth a punt.

Daniel Cleary and Cameron MacPherson saw red as St Johnstone went down on penalties in their opening League Cup contest at Annan but they should get the better of Queen of the South.

The Saints won this trophy as part of a memorable cup double two seasons ago and manager Callum Davidson will be keen to improve on a disappointing campaign last term.

Queen of the South have been busy in the transfer market but they were beaten 3-2 by Annan at Palmerston last weekend and rookie gaffer Willie Gibson has plenty to prove.

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