Queen’s Park and Livingston are set to clash in the Scottish Challenge Cup final on Sunday afternoon at the Falkirk Stadium.
The Spiders defeated East Kilbride 6-2 in the semi-finals, while the Lions progressed past Dunfermline with a 2-0 victory to make it to the final.
Match preview
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Queen’s Park earned their promotion to the Scottish Championship as they won the League One playoffs in 2021-22, and the Spiders fought for an instant promotion to the top division in 2022-23 – losing 8-3 on aggregate in the quarter-finals of the relegation/promotion playoffs.
The Spiders have gone on to have two underwhelming campaigns in comparison to their debut year in the Scottish Championship, placing eighth in 2023-24, only a point above relegation, and on course for another bottom half finish this season.
Callum Davidson‘s men sit seventh in the Scottish Championship with 33 points from 30 matches, after nine wins, six draws and 15 losses, leaving them six points above the drop zone.
Despite their challenges in the league, Davidson and Queen’s Park have the chance to end the campaign on a high note, with the opportunity to lift the Scottish Challenge Cup.
However, Queen’s Park will face a formidable test as they clash with Livingston at Falkirk Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with the Lions enjoying a much more successful campaign to date.
Livingston are in the race to secure an instant return to the top division after suffering relegation from the Scottish Premiership last season, with the Lions currently placed second in the Championship table.
David Martindale‘s men have 58 points from their 30 league fixtures, with 16 wins, 10 draws and four defeats, leaving them eight points behind first-placed Falkirk, though the Lions also have a game in hand over the leaders.
While their title chase will certainly be at the forefront of their minds, Livingston will have to shift focus to the upcoming final, and they are likely to be confident given their recent record against Queen’s Park.
Queen’s Park have avoided defeat in all of the last three meetings between the two sides – with one win and two draws – while they have lost just one of their last eight clashes – with three wins, four draws and one loss.
Team News
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Zak Rudden is Queen’s Park’s top scorer this season, with 15 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions – including three in three Challenge Cup fixtures – and the striker should lead the line on Sunday.
Leon King, on loan from Rangers, is expected to partner Will Tizzard in the centre of defence, with Sean Welsh and Jack Turner just ahead at the base of midfield.
As for the Lions, Robbie Muirhead has scored 13 goals and assisted seven in 37 appearances for Livingston, and he is expected to play alongside Stevie May and Cristian Montano in attack.
Following their strong defensive performance in the 1-0 win against Falkirk last time out, Martindale could name the same defence in this one, with Jerome Prior, Daniel Finlayson, Ryan McGowan, Danny Wilson and Robbie Fraser starting.
Queen’s Park possible starting lineup:
Ferie; Devine, Tizzard, King, Montgomery; Turner, Welsh; Longridge, MacGregor, Duncan; Rudden
Livingston possible starting lineup:
Prior; Finlayson, McGowan, Wilson, Fraser; Brandon, Tait, Kelly; Muirhead, May, Montano
We say: Queen’s Park 0-2 Livingston
Livingston are enjoying a much stronger season than Queen’s Park, and we expect the difference in quality to show with a victory for the Lions on Sunday.
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