Resident SPFL stat-monster @splstats previews the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup, presented by QTS, with the aid of some highly significant facts and figures!
7 Aberdeen have kept seven consecutive clean sheets in the League Cup, a run stretching back to the start of last season's successful campaign. The last player to score against the Dons in the competition was St Mirren's Kenny McLean in a 2-2 draw at Pittodrie in October 2012 – a match which Saints won on penalties. Since McLean's strike, the Dons have played 741 minutes of League Cup football without conceding a goal. No side has ever managed eight consecutive clean sheets in a row in the League Cup.
3 Dundee United go into Saturday's clash with Aberdeen hoping to maintain their unbeaten record against the Dons at Hampden. The sides have met at the National Stadium on three occasions, with the Terrors picking up one win and the other two games finishing as draws. The first meeting was a 0-0 draw in the 1979/80 League Cup final – the replay was played at Dens Park and United ran out 3-0 winners. The second and third meetings came in the 1993/94 Scottish Cup semi-final – United salvaged a 1-1 draw in the first match courtesy of a late Brian Welsh goal, and then won 1-0 in the replay three days later thanks to a Jim McInally strike.
34 Rangers have won more League Cup semi-finals than any other club, having picked up 34 victories in the last four of the tournament. The Gers have suffered just 14 defeats in League Cup semi-finals, and have won each of their last five. Their last semi-final defeat came against Hibs on penalties in 2003/04 – indeed Hibs have inflicted four of those 14 semi-final defeats, more than any other club. The Ibrox side have clashed with Celtic in six previous League Cup semi-finals, and have picked up four wins in those ties.
13 Celtic have scored 13 goals without reply in their three domestic cup matches so far this season. John Guidetti has been their most prolific cup scorer this season, finding the net five times, including four in the League Cup. Sunday's semi-final will be Celtic's 16th cup match of the season, and they're guaranteed at least another three due to their involvement in the Scottish Cup and Europa League. If they were to reach the final of each cup competition then they could potentially take part in as many as 32 cup matches this season, and could beat their previous record of 30 cup ties in 1973/74.
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