Preview:Queen's Park vs Cove Rangers - prediction, team news, lineups

Second-tier hosts Queen’s Park will face third-tier side Cove Rangers on Saturday in their final group game of the Scottish League Cup at Lesser Hampden.

Fourth-placed Queen’s Park have three points from three games and can no longer qualify for the round of 16, whereas second-placed opponents Cove Rangers have seven points and must win while hoping results go their way in order to make certain of a place in the round of 16.

Match preview

The hosts are second last following their 3-1 loss against leaders Falkirk in the League Cup on 22 July, and the defeat means they cannot finish higher than third, one place below the top two spots.

Manager Sean Crighton has only been in charge since May following the dismissal of previous boss Callum Davidson, though his side failed to win a single league match in their seven games since Davidson's sacking, losing five times.

The Spiders have frequently faced Cove Rangers, winning their last two encounters 1-0 and 6-0, both of which occurred in 2023.

All three of Queen’s Park’s games this season have been in the League Cup, with the club losing two and winning one of those outings, conceding on five occasions.

The hosts did triumph 5-0 against Brechin on July 15 in their most recent home fixture, but they lost each of their prior eight at Lesser Hampden.

Meanwhile, visitors Cove Rangers beat Brechin 3-0 on July 22, a match that saw them claim their third consecutive clean sheet, as many as they had kept in their previous 10.

Cove Rangers finished second but failed to earn promotion from Scotland’s League One after losing 2-1 against Airdrieonians in a two-legged playoff tie.

The Toonsers trail first-placed Falkirk by one point in their five-team group, but only the three best runners-up in the League Cup’s eight groups advance to the round of 16, whereas all group winners qualify for the next stage.

Head coach Paul Hartley has overseen two victories and one stalemate in his side’s past three matches, and they also drew four and lost one of their final seven games of 2024-25.

Cove Rangers’ record on their travels has been mixed, with the team failing to achieve victories in six of their 10 most recent fixtures away from home, succumbing to losses three times.

Queen's Park Scottish League Cup form:

Queen's Park form (all competitions):

Cove Rangers Scottish League Cup form:

Cove Rangers form (all competitions):

Team News

Queen’s Park could name a weakened XI on Saturday given they cannot advance past the group stage, with Michael Ruth a candidate to appear up front.

The striker may be supported by an attacking unit also featuring Tyrece McDonnell, Aidan McGinlay and Josh Fowler, while Henry Fieldson could join Charlie Fox in the heart of defence.

Opponents Cove Ranges are likely to station centre-backs James Doyle, Liam Parker and Justin Eguaibor together ahead of goalkeeper Balint Demus.

Midfielders Arron Darge, Declan Glass and Mackenzie Strachan can be expected to retain their places in the XI.

Perhaps Mitchell Megginson and David Eguaibor will be selected as partners in the forward line given they started together last time out.

Queen's Park possible starting lineup:

Ferrie; Pignatiello, Fieldson, Fox, Shiels; MacGregor, Longridge; McDonnell, McGinlay, Fowler; Ruth

Cove Rangers possible starting lineup:

Demus; Doyle, Parker, Eguaibor; Bisland, Darge, Glass, Strachan, Harrington; Megginson, Eguaibor

We say: Queen's Park 0-2 Cove Rangers

Queen’s Park are unlikely to play with the intensity required to win on Saturday considering they cannot reach the round of 16.

Cove Rangers have been inconsistent away from home, but they will almost certainly be facing weakened hosts, so they could come away from Lesser Hampden as winners.

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