We run the rule over Group B contenders St Johnstone, Falkirk, Brechin City, Stirling Albion and Elgin City ahead of this weekend’s big kick off.
St Johnstone
Manager: Tommy Wright
League Cup fact: Have reached the final twice but were beaten 1-0 by Celtic in 1969/70 and 2-1 by Rangers in 1998/99.
Last season: Reached the semi-finals, where they lost 2-1 to Hibernian.
Betfred odds to win Group B: 5/6
Summer signings: Michael Coulson (York City), Keith Watson (St Mirren), Blair Alston (Falkirk), Paul Paton (Dundee United).
Falkirk
Manager: Peter Houston
League Cup fact: Reached the final in 1947/48 but lost to East Fife in a replay.
Last season: Suffered a 7-0 defeat away to Ross County in round three.
Betfred odds to win Group B: 7/4
Summer signings: James Craigen (Raith Rovers), Liam Henderson (Hearts), Lewis Kidd (Queen of the South), Luca Gasparotto (Rangers), Danny Rogers (Aberdeen, loan).
Brechin City
Manager: Darren Dods
League Cup fact: Were semi-finalists in 1957/58, where they lost to Rangers.
Last season: Lost 2-0 away to Ayr United in round one.
Betfred odds to win Group B: 10/1
Summer signings: Ally Love (Albion Rovers), Chris O'Neil (Airdrieonians), Alan Trouten (Ayr United), Ross Caldwell (Cowdenbeath), Finn Graham (Berwick Rangers), Dougie Hill (Alloa Athletic).
Stirling Albion
Manager: Stuart McLaren
League Cup fact: Best run was in 1961/62 when they lost 2-1 to Hearts in the semi-finals.
Last season: Lost 1-0 at home to Airdrieonians in round one.
Betfred odds to win Group B: 18/1
Summer signings: Bryan Hodge (Forfar Athletic), Marc McKenzie (Elgin City), Eddie Ferns (Alloa Athletic), Darren Petrie (Raith Rovers), Jack McCue (Airdrieonians), Jamie Mills (Rangers), Blair Henderson (Berwick Rangers), Alex Docherty (Maryhill Black Star)
Elgin City
Manager: Jim Weir
League Cup fact: First ever League Cup tie was a 3-0 defeat to Cowdenbeath in 2000/01.
Last season: Went down 5-0 away to Morton in the first round.
Betfred odds to win Group B: 12/1
Summer signings: Kieran Stewart (Arbroath), Jamie Reid (Arbroath), Chris Dodd (Jeanfield Swifts), Chris McLeish (Jeanfield Swifts), Shane Sutherland (Peterhead).
Saturday July 16
Elgin City v St Johnstone , 3.00pm
Stirling Albion v Falkirk, 3.00pm
Tuesday July 19
Brechin City v Stirling Albion, 7.45pm
Falkirk v Elgin City, 7.45pm
Saturday July 23
Elgin City v Brechin City, 3.00pm
St Johnstone v Falkirk 3.00pm (BT Sport)
Tuesday July 26
Brechin City v St Johnstone, 7.45pm
Stirling Albion v Elgin City, 7.45pm
Saturday July 30
Falkirk v Brechin City, 3.00pm
St Johnstone v Stirling Albion, 3.00pm
