Scottish Cup
2025-07-19 - Cove Rangers vs Falkirk
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: Scottish League Cup Group Stage
Saturday 19th July 2025 - Kick Off 3pm
Preview
Two seasons ago, Cove Rangers and Falkirk were both playing in the same League One Division, but there are now two Leagues between them.
Take nothing away from Cove Rangers who are an improving team and one that was narrowly beaten in the last Play Off game in May to prevent them moving up into the Scottish Championship. They did have one season in the Scottish Championship in 2023, but that proved to be a level too far for Cove Rangers who have since finished 5th and 2nd in League One.
In their first season back in the third tier, Cove Rangers saw Falkirk run away with the title having produced an unbeaten League campaign and scoring 96 goals. Most would have felt consolidation was the plan for Falkirk back up in the Championship having been in League One for five consecutive campaigns, but instead this is a team that surprised everyone by making themselves back to back Champions.
And now Falkirk are preparing for a first season in the Scottish Premiership since the end of the 2010 campaign when relegated from the top flight. The crushing 0-7 win at Brechin City means the good times continue to roll for Falkirk, a club that made it through to the League Cup Quarter Final last season despite being a third Seed when the Group Stage draw was made.
Falkirk upset Dundee United in that Group Stage, while they won half of their Group Stage games two seasons ago too, although on that occasion they were not able to earn a spot in the Second Round. They have tended to beat those they are expected to beat, and Falkirk will certainly want to return to the Scottish Premiership having maintained momentum from last season.
There will be plenty of respect for a Cove Rangers team that were minutes away from beating Falkirk two seasons ago and thus ending the unbeaten season before it really began. Both home wins for Falkirk that season were comfortable, but visiting Balmoral Stadium has been a much tougher challenge and the same can be expected on Saturday.
Cove Rangers beat The Spartans here during the week and they are in the mix to finish top of this Group, but the 1-2 home loss to Airdrieonians in the promotion Play Off was the reason they are still playing in League One. The side finished up last season having won 1 of their last 6 home games and so this will feel like a big step up for the hosts.
Last season Cove Rangers finished bottom of their League Cup Group and that was down to heavy home losses to The Spartans and Livingston. Earning revenge over the former will have the team playing with confidence, but a well rested Falkirk is a much tougher test.
Prediction
It has only been eighteen months since Cove Rangers and Falkirk were playing in the same Division, but the latter have come on leaps and bounds in recent times.
The two Division gap between the teams may show up in this League Cup Group game, even if Falkirk have always been tested when visiting Balmoral Stadium.
Having a week to prepare, while Cove Rangers were battling past The Spartans, should help the new Scottish Premiership club and Falkirk can secure a solid win that gives them command of this section.
The Pick :
Cove Rangers 0-2 Falkirk
