The first cup final of the season is upon us, with Hibernian and Ross County set to do battle on Sunday. The League Cup trophy is up for grabs, but where will the match be won and lost?

Alan Stubbs' side have suffered a drop off in form of late, losing three straight Scottish Championship matches. They drew against Inverness CT in the Scottish Cup last week, but will they be back to their best in time for Sunday?

Ross County have been in good form since the turn of the year, but suffered a collapse in their last match against Dundee United - conceding a 2-1 lead to ultimately lose 3-2 to the 10-men Terrors. Jim McIntyre will be hoping that kind of form is now out of their system.

Can Hibernian claim their first piece of silverware since 2007, or will Ross County lift the first major trophy in the club's history? Here's where the game will be won and lost.

His decision to drop down a division to join Hibernian in the Scottish Championship was questioned by some, but John McGinn has become one of the stand-out performers for his new side this season.

The 21-year-old midfielder was handed his first Scotland call-up this week and has come to embody the exciting, dynamic football Hibs play under Stubbs. He is their driving force through the middle alongside the creative talent of Liam Henderson.

Ian McShane was one of McIntyre's favourites at Queen of the South and followed the manager to Dingwall from Dumfries in the summer, joining the Staggies on a three-year contract.

The 23-year-old has become an integral part of the Ross County starting lineup, chipping in with his fair share of goals. McShane, much like McGinn, is the key man through the middle for McIntyre.

Under Stubbs, Hibernian have become renowned as an especially exciting, attacking team. There is a swagger to their play when they hit top form and much of that is down to Jason Cummings.

The young striker is the leading light on the Hibs frontline, even following the loan signing of Anthony Stokes in the January transfer window. Cummings is the danger man County will need to keep an eye on.

Signed in the summer from Bradford City, Andrew Davies arrived at Ross County with impressive pedigree and has lived up to that billing.

The 31-year-old has given County a defensive basis upon which McIntyre has built his side. Strong in the air and naturally commanding, Davies will be charged with stopping the often mercurial Hibernian attack. It's a challenge he'll most likely relish having seen off Celtic in the semi-finals.

Having won Rangers' player of the year award last season the decision to let Darren McGregor leave Ibrox just a few months into Mark Warburton's reign was somewhat surprising. But Rangers' loss has been Hibernian's gain.

McGregor has slotted handily in the centre of the Hibs defence and will be of utmost importance this weekend, with Paul Hanlon set to miss out through injury. The onus will fall on McGregor to marshal the backline.

Liam Boyce has been one of the success stories of this season's Premiership campaign, scoring 13 times in just 26 top flight appearances for the Staggies. His season could get even better on Sunday should he fire County to League Cup glory.

Once a highly-rated teenager with Werder Bremen, Boyce has now settled in Dingwall and has become one of the Scottish game's most lethal frontmen.

Hibernian haven't had the best of luck when it comes to goalkeepers over the past decade. Now they have Mark Oxley, who has taken on the gauntlet of dispelling the Easter Road keeper curse.

The former Oldham Athletic shot-stopper has been a success in the capital, but has also been susceptible to the odd blunder. His mistake against Falkirk late last year was a costly one, for instance. However, he has recovered since and will be a formidable presence inbetween the sticks.

Gary Woods has been thrown in at the deep end following Scott Fox's injury, ruling him out of Sunday's League Cup final. McIntyre may rue Fox's absence - given some of his performances this season - but will be hopeful of Woods' ability as a deputy.

Rather worryingly, though, Woods has kept just one clean sheet in his last 10 outings. He could certainly do with making that two in 11 outings this weekend.