Focus Shifts to Lower Leagues as Scottish Cup Takes Centre Stage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2025

Crucial Matches in the Championship

Although much of the focus in Scottish football will be on the Scottish Cup quarter-finals this weekend, the lower leagues continue to play a significant role in shaping promotion and relegation battles.

With no Premiership matches on the calendar, attention shifts to the Championship, where teams at both ends of the table play their games in hand.

Falkirk have a golden opportunity to move clear at the top when they host relegation-threatened Dunfermline Athletic, while bottom-placed Airdrieonians are running out of time to turn their season around. A defeat at home to Hamilton Academical could spell the end of their survival hopes.

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League One: Administration Woes and Relegation Battles

Some of the biggest headlines this season have come from Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Dumbarton entering administration at the end of 2024.

Now, the two clubs find themselves in very different situations. Dumbarton, rock bottom of League One, are staring down the barrel of relegation, with a defeat this weekend potentially sealing their return to League Two.

Meanwhile, Caley Thistle could climb out of the relegation zone for the first time since their financial troubles began, should they beat Dumbarton and Annan Athletic lose to title-chasing Stenhousemuir.

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League Two: Play-Off Race Heats Up

While the League Two title race remains finely poised, the real drama this weekend could be in the fight for play-off places.

Just two months ago, Elgin City were dreaming of a first-ever promotion from Scotland's fourth tier. However, four straight league defeats have seen both Spartans and Stirling Albion close in on their play-off spot.

This weekend offers a vital opportunity for Elgin to bounce back against bottom-placed Forfar Athletic, while Spartans and Stirling face each other in a massive six-pointer.

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Spotlight on the Scottish Women’s Premier League

With the Scottish Cup taking centre stage in both the men’s and women’s games, it’s worth highlighting the thrilling Scottish Women’s Premier League title race.

Just three points separate Glasgow City, Hibernian, Rangers, and defending champions Celtic ahead of the post-split fixtures. Given how previous seasons have gone down to the wire, this title race could be one of the most exciting in years.