After finishing their Scottish League Cup first-round groups undefeated, Aberdeen, Dundee, and Ross County were joined in the second round by Hibernian, St Johnstone, Falkirk, and Spartans.
As the top three runners-up in round two, Dundee United, Airdrieonians, and Queen’s Park will join the seven group winners that have been announced thus far.
With six goals against Dumbarton at home, Aberdeen made it four victories in a row, while Dundee easily defeated Inverness Caledonian Thistle 6-0 on the road. County defeated Stirling Albion 3-0 at home as well.
Falkirk, Hibs, Saints, and Spartans all had three victories in the end; the former team crushed Peterhead 4-0, while the Perth team triumphed 5-1 over East Fife.
Falkirk finished ahead of United in Group B on goal differential after defeating Stenhousemuir, who are nearby, 4-0.
The Tangerines had the superior head-to-head record, but they were only victorious against Ayr United on goal differential.
Following Spartans’ 1-0 victory against Livingston, Livi lost to United, Airdrie, and Queen’s Park, who all had a superior goal differential, and Spartans moved up to the top of David Martindale’s team in terms of goals scored.
Group G will be finished on Sunday at 15:00 when leaders Motherwell take on Partick Thistle, who are now in third position.
Scotland’s European representatives, Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Kilmarnock and St Mirren, are seeded sides in Sunday’s last-16 draw, along with Aberdeen, Dundee and County. Rangers are cup holders after beating Aberdeen in last season’s final.
Group A
All six of Aberdeen’s goals came in the second half with Jack MacKenzie’s opener followed by Ester Sokler’s double and late efforts from Peter Ambrose, James McGarry and Slobodan Rubezic.
Airdrie completed a strong group campaign with Ben Wilson netting in the first half and Terrell Agyemang in the second.
Group B
The conclusion to Group B was a nervous one for Dundee United in absentia. The Tangerines had played all four of their fixtures and started Saturday top. Falkirk’s 4-0 win, with Callumn Morrison scoring a penalty, Ross MacIver netting twice and Liam Henderson heading a fourth, took John McGlynn’s side to the summit.
Ayr United led Buckie Thistle 2-0 and were on course to join Falkirk in the next round but the visitors levelled through Josh Peters and John McLeod in the second half after Jay Henderson’s first-half double. Jake Hastie netted Ayr’s winner but it was not enough to progress.
Group C
Hibs’ group campaign had been derailed somewhat by last week’s 1-0 loss at Kelty Hearts. Lewis Miller scored either side of half-time and Rudi Molotnikov and Nathan Moriah-Welsh made the game safe.
Dom Thomas missed an early penalty for Queen’s Park but atoned for that with the Spiders’ opener. Sean Welsh headed their second and doubles from Roddy MacGregor and Jack Turner followed.
Group D
Simon Murray scored a first-half hat-trick in Dundee’s big win with Seb Palmer-Houlden also netting twice before break. Antonio Portales added a late sixth.
A late and solitary Gavin Reilly strike gave Arbroath victory at Bonnyrigg Rose.
Group E
Livingston were heading for the last 16 until Cammy Russell struck for Spartans in the 85th minute.
Michael Doyle and Myles Gaffney put Cove Rangers two up at Dunfermline Athletic, with Taylor Sutherland scoring a late consolation.
Group F
Adama Sidibeh and Benjamin Kimpioka each scored twice for St Johnstone and MacKenzie Kirk was also on target. Alan Trouten scored for East Fife.
Owen Moffat and Michael Garrity put Morton two up against Alloa Athletic in Greenock, Conor Sammon getting a consolation for the visitors.
Groups G
Craig Brown’s header for Montrose away to Clyde was the only goal of the day in Group G.
Group H
Ronan Hale’s first-half double put Ross County in command against Stirling Albion and James Brown made it three late on.
Raith Rovers and Hamilton Academical were the only sides to draw after 90 minutes on Saturday. Sean McGinty put Hamilton in front and Lee Kilday’s own goal levelled matters before Raith secured the bonus point with a 5-3 penalty shootout win.