Well we play in the final game of the group stages against the Pars on Sunday. As I noted elsewhere they seemed to be, erm, quite a physical team in the two matches against Partick Thistle back in May - doubt they'll be pulling out of many challenges for fear of upsetting their manager.
We need to avoid a 3-0 defeat to win the group but will likely be more concerned about securing one of the 3 seeded spots for best Group Winner. Playing on the Sunday means we will know exactly what is needed.
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Shamelessly copied from P&B
Group A
Slightly more complex than other groups as there's a game still to play in this one with QoS v Aberdeen tomorrow night. As it stands though, Brora are out and, although they came very close at Kelty tonight, finish with nil points and 5th place. There's an outlandish set of results that would see Kelty win the group on 8 points but it's so unlikely as to be safely ignored. In theory QoS can still win the group but would need at least 5 points AND Kelty to take points from Aberdeen. Also not likely. In reality, Aberdeen will win the group if they collect 4 points from QoS and Kelty. Queens Park can still beat QoS and finish on 9 points which will give them a chance of a best 2nd place spot but they may need some goals.
To play: QoS v Aberdeen (Wed), Aberdeen v Kelty & Queens Park v QoS (Sat)
Group B
Tremendous effort here from Montrose who have already beaten Dundee United, Stirling and Arbroath. Just a point at home to Spartans on Saturday wins the group. Dundee United are finished on 9 points and a +7 GD which stands a good chance of going through as a best runner up and will win the group if Montrose manage to lose. Everyone else is out. Winners of Arbroath v Stirling will take 3rd.
To play: Arbroath v Stirling Albion, Montrose v Spartans (Sat)
Group C
Bizarre group with results all over the place, even within the same game (see St Mirren coming from 3-0 down tonight to win 4-3)! St Mirren need to avoid losing by 3 or more at home to Dunfermline on Sunday to win the group. Dunfermline need a 3 goal win to win it. They are unlikely to progress as a best runner up with a lower margin win. Everyone else is out but Dumbarton could nick 4th above Cove if they can produce a 90 minute win..
To play: Dumbarton v Cove Rangers (Sat), St Mirren v Dunfermline (Sun)
Group D
Ross County lead Dundee by a point following tonight's penalties victory. Both have it in their own hands to go through though. County will win the group if they can win at Airdrie. Dundee will get at least a best runners up spot with a home win over Clyde which will get them 10 points. County's GD isn't brilliant so a penalties defeat might not be good enough for them. Technically Clyde can still win the group if they beat Dundee outright and County lose to Airdrie. Airdrie and Annan are out, with the latter guaranteed bottom.
To play: Airdrie v Ross County, Dundee v Clyde (Sat)
Group E
Stenhousemuir's penalties win over Partick throws this one wide open. Partick are finished on 9 points and a +10 GD but probably won't win the group. Stenhousemuir are at home to Livingston on Saturday. The only result that doesn't see one of them go above Thistle is a Livi win on penalties after a 1-1 or 0-0 draw. Not actually sure what happens if Livi win on pens after a 2-2 as records will be tied up. Any other result sees one of them win the group and the other finish 3rd and go out. Forfar and Brechin can fight out 4th and 5th between them.
To play: Forfar Ath v Brechin City, Stenhousemuir v Livingston (Sat)
Group F
Inverness' win over St Johnstone tonight puts them in pole position. A win at Morton on Saturday wins the group whatever happens elsewhere. Winners of St Johnstone v East Fife can win the group if Caley slip up. An East Fife win will be enough for a best 2nd place spot. St Johnstone probably need to win by a few goals if they want a chance at a best runner up. Linlithgow and Morton are out though MOrton could still get up to 4th by beating Caley outright.
To play: Greenock Morton v Inverness CT, St Johnstone v East Fife (Sat)
Group G
The most straightforward group. Ayr won it without even playing tonight with Falkirk failing to beat Alloa. They have a home game v Alloa to come and a chance to clinch a full house of 12 points but they'll win the group whatever happens. Everyone else is out. A max of 7 points isn't going to get either Falkirk or Alloa a best runner up spot.
To play: Ayr United v Alloa Ath, Falkirk v Stranraer (Sat)
Group H
A right mix up this group and unlikely any best runner up's coming from this either. Raith are top but have finished on 8 points. Kilmarnock go to Peterhead on Saturday needing a point to win the group. If they manage to lose outright Hamilton could in theory win the group with a big win over Elgin. Whatever happens max points for runner up is 8 so no progress will be made.
To play: Hamilton v Elgin, Peterhead v Kilmarnock (Sat)
Premiership sides certainly not having it all their own way. St Mirren and Kilmarnock will likely win their groups. Aberdeen need to beat a league 1 team away and a league 2 team at home to win their group too. Dundee will likely be runner up but their 10 points would be good enough. Falkirk are definitely out. Dundee United and St Johnstone need some help to make it through.
In terms of best three runners up, as per above Groups G and H runners up already cannot qualify. Unless Dunfermline win significantly in Paisley Group C won't provide a best runner up either.
Every chance Group D gives us a runner up with 10 points. Group F might so too but only if East Fife win in Perth which seems a reach.
Group E almost certainly gives us a runner up on 9 points and a +10 GD.
Group B is certain to have a runner up on 9 points. If Montrose get anything then that runner up will be Dundee United on +7 GD
Group A will likely have a runner up on 9 if Queen's Park can beat QoS but they'll only be +4 if they win by one goal.
Group F is the most awkward one. If ICT win at Morton and East Fife don't win at Perth then runner up probably finishes with 9 points and a low GD.
In reality, unless Queen's Park run up a cricket score v QoS or St Johnstone do the same v East Fife it's highly likely Groups D, E and B will provide the best runners up. East Fife winning at Perth though would knock one of them out.
In terms of the best 3 group winners to be seeded, Aberdeen, Montrose, St Mirren and Ayr all still have it in their own hands to go 12 points. If they all do it's highly likely St Mirren will be seeded with at least a +10 GD. Montrose are currently +5, Ayr are +4 and Aberdeen are +3 but the Dons have two games. Could potentially be a GD race to the final whistle for a seeding.
By
Bud the Baker ·
