IRN-BRU Cup quarter-final previews

The quarter-finals of the IRN-BRU Cup are being played this weekend, with a place in the semi-finals on February 18/19 up for grabs.

Dunfermline Athletic v Dundee United - Saturday (Premier Sports, 12.30pm)
The sides meet for the second time in five days, with United having won 1-0 at Tannadice in the Ladbrokes Championship on Tuesday. Ray McKinnon's men also triumphed 3-1 at East End Park back in September when Cammy Bell saved three penalties. The Pars beat Queen's Park 2-1 in the previous round while Dundee United's 1-0 victory at Stranraer sparked a run of six straight wins.

Queen of the South v Alloa Athletic - Saturday (3.00pm)
Queens will have Jim Thomson in caretaker charge following the departure of manager Gavin Skelton this week. They are bidding to end a run of four straight defeats since beating Linfield 2-0 after extra time in round four. Alloa, who are third in Ladbrokes League 1, reached this stage by beating Welsh side Bala 4-2 away from home.

St Mirren v Ayr United - Sunday (Premier Sports, 12.30pm)
St Mirren won 1-0 when the sides met in the Betfred Cup back in July and it finished all square at Somerset Park the following month. Ayr are enjoying a better time of it in the Championship and beat Falkirk 1-0 after extra time in the previous round while Saints caused an upset by knocking out Hibernian 2-1 at Easter Road.

Livingston v The New Saints - Sunday (BBC ALBA & S4C, 4.05pm)
The League 1 leaders saw off Belfast-based Crusaders 3-0 in the previous round and are now bidding to knock out the Welsh champions and current pacesetters, who have won all 14 league games this season. TNS beat Forfar Athletic 3-1 at Station Park to reach this stage but Livingston are in good goalscoring form, having netted three times in each of their last four outings.