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Saturday 27th February 2021

Livingston St. Johnstone Premier Sports Cup

Betfred Cup final preview

It’s Livingston v St Johnstone in the 2020/21 Betfred Cup final at Hampden Park on Sunday, live on Premier Sports with a 2.00pm kick-off.

Road to Hampden: Livingston topped Group H with a 100% record then beat Ayr United (4-0) in the last 16 and Ross County (2-0) in the quarter-final. Scott Robinson scored the only goal in their 1-0 victory over St Mirren in the semi-final last month.

St Johnstone were Group C winners ahead of Dundee United and came from behind to win 2-1 at Motherwell in the last 16. They beat Dunfermline Athletic on penalties after a 1-1 draw at East End Park in the quarter-final then saw off Hibernian 3-0 in the last four. Jason Kerr, Shaun Rooney and Craig Conway got the goals against Hibs.

League Cup pedigree: This is Livingston’s second final appearance. They beat Hibernian 2-0 in the 2003/04 decider when Davie Hay was manager thanks to goals from Derek Lilley and Jamie McAllister.

St Johnstone were runners-up to Celtic (0-1) in 1969/70 and Rangers (1-2) in 1998/99. Callum Davidson’s side are aiming to lift the trophy for the first time, seven years after they won their first major silverware in the shape of the 2013/14 Scottish Cup.

Past meetings: The sides have met three times in the Premiership this season. Livi won the first two encounters but Saints triumphed 2-1 at the Tony Macaroni Arena three weeks ago to end Livingston’s 14-match unbeaten run under David Martindale.

Recent form: Livingston are seven points ahead of St Johnstone in the table but are without a win in their last three matches. They drew 1-1 with St Mirren in Paisley last weekend. Saints were 3-0 winners away to Motherwell last time out and have lost only to Rangers and Celtic in 2021.

Facts and figures: This is the 75th League Cup final, with Rangers having won the trophy most often. Celtic have won the last four finals but were knocked out by Ross County in the last 16. This season’s Betfred Cup top scorer is Livingston’s Alan Forrest, with seven goals.

Referee: Don Robertson, AR1: Daniel McFarlane, AR2: Graham McNeillie, 4th Official: Euan Anderson

Goal-line technology: The Hawke-Eye system will be in operation for the final.

In the event of a draw: Extra time then penalties, if required, will decide the outcome.

Programme: 68-page edition, priced £5. Order your copy on the Curtis Sport website

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