2019–20 Scottish League Cup

The 2019–20 Scottish League Cup (also known as the Betfred Cup for sponsorship reasons) was the 74th season of Scotland's second-most prestigious football knockout competition.

2019–20 Scottish League Cup
Tournament details
CountryScotland
Dates12 July – 8 December 2019
Teams44
Defending championsCeltic
Final positions
ChampionsCeltic
Runner-upRangers
Tournament statistics
Matches played95
Goals scored298 (3.14 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)Florian Kamberi
Kevin Nisbet
(5 goals)

The format for the 2019–20 competition was the same as the previous three seasons.

It began with eight groups of five teams which included all 2018–19 Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) clubs, excluding those competing in Champions League and Europa League qualifiers, as well as the winners of the 2018–19 Highland Football League (Cove Rangers) and the 2018–19 Lowland Football League (East Kilbride).

Schedule edit

RoundFirst match dateFixturesClubs
Group stage13 July 2019[1]8044 → 16
Second round16 August 2019[1]816 → 80
Quarter finals24 September 2019[1]48 → 4
Semi finals2 November 2019[1]24 → 2
Final8 December 2019[1]12 → 1

Format edit

The competition began with eight groups of five teams. The four clubs competing in the UEFA Champions League (Celtic) and Europa League (Rangers, Kilmarnock, and Aberdeen) qualifying rounds were given a bye through to the second round. The 40 teams competing in the group stage consisted of the other eight teams that competed in the 2018–19 Scottish Premiership, and all of the teams that competed in the 2018–19 Scottish Championship, 2018–19 Scottish League One and 2018–19 Scottish League Two, as well as the 2018–19 Highland Football League and the 2018–19 Lowland Football League champions.

The winners of each of the eight groups, as well as the four best runners-up progressed to the second round (last 16), which includes the four UEFA qualifying clubs. At this stage, the competition reverts to the traditional knock-out format. The four group winners with the highest points total and the clubs entering at this stage are seeded, with the four group winners with the lowest points unseeded along with the four best runners-up.

Bonus point system edit

In December 2015, the SPFL announced that alongside the new group stage format, a bonus point system would be introduced to provide greater excitement and increase the number of meaningful games at this stage.[2] The traditional point system of awarding three points for a win and one point for a draw is used, however, for each group stage match that finishes in a draw, a penalty shoot-out takes place, with the winner being awarded a bonus point.

Group stage edit

The group stage was made up of eight teams from the 2018–19 Scottish Premiership, and all ten teams from each of the 2018–19 Scottish Championship, 2018–19 Scottish League One and 2018–19 Scottish League Two, as well as the winners of the 2018–19 Highland Football League and 2018–19 Lowland Football League. The 40 teams were divided into two sections – North and South – with each section containing four top seeds, four second seeds and 12 unseeded teams. Each section was drawn into four groups with each group comprising one top seed, one second seed and three unseeded teams.

The draw for the group stage took place on 28 May 2019 and was broadcast live on the SPFL YouTube channel.

North edit

Group A edit

PosTeamPldWPWPLLGFGAGDPtsQualificationHOMEFIDUNSTECOW
1Heart of Midlothian4211063+39Qualification for the Second Roundp1–12–1
2East Fife4210153+28p1–12–0
3Dundee United4201164+270–23–0
4Stenhousemuir4100346−231–22–0
5Cowdenbeath4100327−530–22–0
Source: [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.[4]

Group B edit

PosTeamPldWPWPLLGFGAGDPtsQualificationROSFORMONSTJBRE
1Ross County44000122+1012Qualification for the Second Round2–04–1
2Forfar Athletic4300194+592–13–0
3Montrose4110249−551–41–0
4St Johnstone4100365+131–24–0
5Brechin City40013112−1110–41–1p
Source: [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.[4]

Group C edit

PosTeamPldWPWPLLGFGAGDPtsQualificationHIBALOARBELGSTI
1Hibernian4310081+711Qualification for the Second Round2–03–0
2Alloa Athletic4201188073–3p2–1
3Arbroath42002108+262–32–1
4Elgin City4110277050–23–0
5Stirling Albion40013312−911–1p1–6
Source: [6]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[4]

Group D edit

PosTeamPldWPWPLLGFGAGDPtsQualificationDNDICTPETCOVRAI
1Dundee4220040+410Qualification for the Second Round1–0p0–0
2Inverness CT4201174+373–24–1
3Peterhead4111134−16p0–02–1
4Cove Rangers4101265+140–0p3–0
5Raith Rovers41003411−730–33–1
Source: [7]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[4]

South edit

Group E edit

PosTeamPldWPWPLLGFGAGDPtsQualificationMOTGMOQOSDUMANN
1Motherwell44000130+1312Qualification for the Second Round4–04–0
2Greenock Morton42101148+68p3–36–1
3Queen of the South411111010060–3p3–3
4Dumbarton41003312−930–21–4
5Annan Athletic40013313−1010–50–1
Source: [8]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[4]

Group F edit

PosTeamPldWPWPLLGFGAGDPtsQualificationPARHAMAIRQPACLY
1Partick Thistle4301085+310Qualification for the Second Round1–03–2
2Hamilton Academical4211085+39p2–20–0p
3Airdrieonians4110278−152–3p2–2
4Queen's Park4021145−151–2p1–1
5Clyde40013610−411–32–3
Source: [9]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[4]

Group G edit

PosTeamPldWPWPLLGFGAGDPtsQualificationLIVAYRFALSTRBER
1Livingston43100103+711Qualification for the Second Round2–15–0
2Ayr United42011125+772–12–2p
3Falkirk4201163+371–1p1–0
4Stranraer4110295+451–26–0
5Berwick Rangers40004021−2100–70–3
Source: [10]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[4]

Group H edit

PosTeamPldWPWPLLGFGAGDPtsQualificationDNFALBSTMEKBEDI
1Dunfermline Athletic43001133+109Qualification for the Second Round6–04–0
2Albion Rovers4201137−470–0p2–1
3St Mirren4111133062–31–0
4East Kilbride4110215−450–1p0–0
5Edinburgh City4100324−231–00–1
Source: [11]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[4]

Best runners-up edit

PosGrpTeamPldWPWPLLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1BForfar Athletic4300194+59Qualification for the Second Round
2FHamilton Academical4211085+39
3EGreenock Morton42101148+68
4AEast Fife4210153+28
5GAyr United42011125+77
6DInverness Caledonian Thistle4201174+37
7CAlloa Athletic420118807
8HAlbion Rovers4201137−47
Source: [12]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[4]

Knockout phase edit

Second round edit

Draw and seeding edit

The draw for the second round took place on 28 July 2019 at the conclusion of the Dundee-Inverness Caledonian Thistle match.[13] Aberdeen, Celtic, Kilmarnock and Rangers entered the competition at this stage, after receiving a bye for the group stage due to their participation in UEFA club competitions.

The four UEFA-qualifying clubs and the four group winners with the best record were seeded for the draw.

Teams in Bold advanced to the quarter-finals.

SeededUnseeded
Notes
  • † denotes teams playing in the Championship.
  • * denotes teams playing in League One.

Matches edit

16 August 2019 Motherwell1–2 Heart of Midlothian Motherwell
19:45Long 60'[14]
Stadium: Fir Park
Attendance: 5,597
Referee: Bobby Madden
17 August 2019 Hibernian 5–3 (a.e.t.)Greenock MortonEdinburgh
15:00
[15]
Stadium: Easter Road
Attendance: 6,557
Referee: Alan Muir
17 August 2019 Partick Thistle 3–2 (a.e.t.)Ross CountyGlasgow
15:00[16]
Stadium: Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 2,053
Referee: Steven McLean
17 August 2019 Celtic 2–1 (a.e.t.)Dunfermline AthleticGlasgow
15:00[18]Beadling 77'Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 27,318[17]
Referee: John Beaton
17 August 2019 Forfar Athletic1–2 Livingston Forfar
15:00Hilson 63'[19]
Stadium: Station Park
Attendance: 884
Referee: Gavin Duncan
17 August 2019 Kilmarnock 1–0 (a.e.t.)Hamilton AcademicalKilmarnock
15:00Thomas 113'[20]Stadium: Rugby Park
Attendance: 3,762
Referee: Kevin Clancy
18 August 2019 Dundee1–2 (a.e.t.) Aberdeen Dundee
15:00Johnson 43'[21]Stadium: Dens Park
Attendance: 5,740
Referee: Willie Collum
18 August 2019 East Fife0–3 Rangers Methil
15:00[22]
Stadium: Bayview Stadium
Attendance: 1,991
Referee: Don Robertson

Quarter-finals edit

Draw edit

Teams in Bold advanced to the semi-finals.

PremiershipChampionship

Matches edit

25 September 2019 Celtic 5–0Partick ThistleGlasgow
19:45
[23]Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 25,008
Referee: Steven McLean
25 September 2019 Livingston0–1 Rangers Livingston
19:45[28]Kamara 5'Stadium: Almondvale Stadium
Attendance: 8,160
Referee: Don Robertson

Semi-finals edit

Draw edit

Teams in Bold advanced to the final.

Teams in Italics were not known at the time of the draw.

Teams Involved

Matches edit

2 November 2019 Hibernian2–5 Celtic Glasgow
17:30[29]
Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 46,782
Referee: Bobby Madden
3 November 2019 Rangers 3–0Heart of MidlothianGlasgow
15:00
[30]Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 49,310
Referee: John Beaton

Final edit

8 December 2019 Rangers 0–1 Celtic Glasgow
15:00[31]Jullien 60'Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 51,117
Referee: Willie Collum

Media coverage edit

The domestic broadcasting rights for the competition are held exclusively by BT Sport.

The following matches were broadcast live on UK television:

RoundDateMatch
Group Stage12 July 2019Heart of Midlothian v Dundee United[32]
14 July 2019St Mirren v Dunfermline Athletic[32]
19 July 2019Motherwell v Greenock Morton[32]
21 July 2019St Johnstone v Ross County[32]
26 July 2019Elgin City v Hibernian[32]
28 July 2019Dundee v Inverness Caledonian Thistle[32]
Second Round16 August 2019Motherwell v Heart of Midlothian[33]
18 August 2019East Fife v Rangers[33]
Quarter-finals25 September 2019Livingston v Rangers[34]
Semi-finals2 November 2019Hibernian v Celtic[35]
3 November 2019Rangers v Heart of Midlothian[35]
Final8 December 2019Rangers v Celtic[36]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e "Betfred Cup draw on Tuesday". SPFL. 27 May 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  2. ^ "New League Cup format and TV deal". SPFL. 7 December 2015. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  3. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group A". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Format". SPFL. Archived from the original on 1 October 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  5. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group B". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  6. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group C". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  7. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group D". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  8. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group E". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  9. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group F". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  10. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group G". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  11. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group H". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  12. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group Stage". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  13. ^ "Betfred Cup draw on Sunday". SPFL. 25 July 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  14. ^ Mullen, Scott (16 August 2019). "Motherwell 1–2 Hearts: Smith & Washington earn League Cup last eight spot". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  15. ^ Lamont, Alasdair (17 August 2019). "Hibernian 5–3 Greenock Morton (AET): Hosts salvage last eight League Cup place". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  16. ^ Crawford, Kenny (17 August 2019). "Partick Thistle 3–2 Ross County (AET): Steven Saunders the hero for hosts". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  17. ^ "Celtic 2-1 Dunfermline: James Forrest's injury-time strike spares Hoops blushes".
  18. ^ Duncan, Thomas (17 August 2019). "Celtic 2–1 Dunfermline: Forrest strike edges holders into League Cup quarter-finals". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  19. ^ McLauchlin, Brian (17 August 2019). "Forfar Athletic 1–2 Livingston: Visitors advance to League Cup last eight". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  20. ^ Young, Chick (17 August 2019). "Kilmarnock 1–0 Hamilton Academical (AET): Dom Thomas goal puts hosts into quarter-final". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  21. ^ McLauchlin, Brian (18 August 2019). "Dundee 1–2 Aberdeen (AET): Sam Cosgrove's goal puts Dons into quarter-final". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  22. ^ Watt, Martin (18 August 2019). "East Fife 0–Rangers: Filip Helander nets as visitors reach last eight". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  23. ^ Idessane, Kheredine (25 September 2019). "Celtic 5-0 Partick Thistle". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  24. ^ "Kilmarnock 0-0 Hibernian". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  25. ^ "Betfred Cup Results". spfl.co.uk. SPFL. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  26. ^ "Heart of Midlothian 2-2 Aberdeen". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  27. ^ "Betfred Cup Results". spfl.co.uk. SPFL. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  28. ^ "Livingston 0-1 Rangers". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  29. ^ McLauchlin, Brian (2 November 2019). "Hibernian 2-5 Celtic". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  30. ^ McLauchlin, Brian (3 November 2019). "Rangers 3-0 Heart of Midlothian". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  31. ^ English, Tom (8 December 2019). "Rangers 0-1 Celtic: Neil Lennon's side win fourth straight Scottish League Cup". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  32. ^ a b c d e f "BETFRED CUP ON BT SPORT". SPFL. 8 July 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  33. ^ a b "BETFRED CUP R2 DETAILS". SPFL. 31 July 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  34. ^ "BETFRED CUP QUARTER-FINAL DETAILS". SPFL. 20 August 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  35. ^ a b "BETFRED CUP SEMI-FINAL DETAILS". SPFL. 27 September 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  36. ^ "2019/20 BETFRED CUP FINAL". SPFL. 4 November 2019. Retrieved 5 November 2019.

External links edit