Scottish Cup
2025-07-12 - Elgin City vs Raith Rovers
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: Scottish League Cup Group Stage
Saturday 12th July 2025 - Kick Off 3pm
Preview
The draw for the League Cup Group Stage does throw up some interesting sections and the one which houses Elgin City and Raith Rovers is certainly one of those.
It is never going to be easy for League Two Elgin City to make it through to the Second Round, but Raith Rovers may appreciate being within a Group that does not feature a club from the Scottish Championship. Relegated St Johnstone are expected to be the main challengers to Raith Rovers who finished just outside the Play Off spots in the Scottish Championship last season.
They have come close to earning at least a promotion through the Play Off places in recent seasons, but it becomes difficult for teams like Raith Rovers when sides drop into the Scottish Championship. This year two clubs have fallen from the Premiership and so the game with St Johnstone is the chance to make an early statement.
Qualifying will be the target from the Group and Raith Rovers finished behind Ross County at this stage last season thanks to a 2-1 defeat away from home. Two years ago Raith Rovers joined Kilmarnock into the Second Round thanks to a 2-2 draw away from home and then the subsequent Penalty Shoot Out win to earn a bonus point.
This season Raith Rovers open up with an away tie at Elgin City who finished 4th in League Two, but who were beaten in the Play Off Semi Final against Annan Athletic.
Elgin City have struggled in the League Cup Group Stage with the stronger opposition that they will face. For a long time the club were a non-League one, but they have spent a number of years in the fourth tier of Scottish Football, although bridging the gap to those above them has proved to be a step too far.
Last season they did hold Kelty Hearts to a home draw in the League Cup Group Stage, but Elgin City had already been thumped 0-5 by Hibernian.
All 3 previous meetings with Raith Rovers have ended in defeat.
Prediction
Nothing will come easy in the opening round robin of Scottish League Cup Group games, but Raith Rovers should have enough quality to get the better of Elgin City.
The League Two team have struggled in this Round of the League Cup over the last couple of years, while Raith Rovers have at least given themselves a chance of progressing.
Raith Rovers have to be focused, but they should have the quality needed to earn the three points and by a relatively comfortable margin.
The Pick :
Elgin City 1-3 Raith Rovers
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Raith Rovers - 1 Asian Handicap at 1.75 with Bet365
