For the second time in a row, Scotland's second-most prestigious competition begins with a group phase as 43 teams set out to take Celtic's crown
Scottish football makes its early return on Friday as the 2017-18 League Cup commences.
The first round kicks off with the Ayrshire Derby at Somerset Park on July 14, with Ayr United hosting Kilmarnock in their Group E tie. The remaining 15 games of the first matchday take place on Saturday.
In their battle to hold onto their title, current holders Celtic have to compete with the other 41 teams in the Scottish Professional Football League and the champions of the Highland and Lowland Football Leagues – Buckie Thistle and East Kilbride respectively – in the nation’s second most prestigious cup competition.