Two teams battling against relegation from the Scottish Premiership will come together on Saturday afternoon as Kilmarnock host bottom of the table St Johnstone.
The hosts are ninth in the table with 28 points from 25 matches, while the visitors are at the foot of the standings with 21 points from their 25 fixtures.
Match preview
© Imago
After earning promotion from the Scottish Championship in 2021-22, it took just two seasons for Kilmarnock to climb into the top half of the Premiership, placing fourth last season with 56 points, from 14 wins, 14 draws and 10 defeats.
Killie would have had ambitions of another top six finish this term, but they have failed to replicate that success thus far, currently sitting ninth in the table.
Derek McInnes's men have taken just 28 points from 25 matches, after seven wins, seven draws and 11 defeats - meaning they have already lost more than the entirety of the last campaign.
They did end a disappointing four-game winless run across all competitions in their most recent game, defeating high-flying Dundee United 1-0, and they will be hoping to build on that result here.
A victory for Killie could see them move into the top six, while a defeat could see them drop into the bottom two depending on results elsewhere in the division.
Despite their opponents sitting at the foot of the table, St Johnstone have hit a superb run of form in their last matches, leaving the visitors with plenty of confidence coming into this one.
The Saints, who have been battling against relegation from the top division in each of the last three seasons, have incredibly won all of their last four matches, a significant improvement on their nine-game winless run in the prior outings.
Simo Valakari, who succeeded Craig Levein in October 2024, will be looking for that run to continue with St Johnstone eyeing a remarkable escape from the drop zone, and a win could take them to within three points of safety.
Team News
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Kilmarnock will be without the services of Innes Cameron (hamstring), Kyle Vassell (shin), Matthew Kennedy (back), Robby McCrorie (cheekbone) and Stuart Findlay (ankle) for this match due to injuries.
Bradley Lyons may also be a doubt for the hosts after the midfielder was taken off after just 32 minutes in the victory against Dundee Utd, meaning Liam Polworth could start.
Elsewhere, a similar side to the one that defeated Dundee Utd 1-0 in their most recent outing could start here, with goalscorer Marley Watkins leading the line.
As for St Johnstone, Uche Ikpeazu has failed to feature for the club since joining in the summer due to a knee injury, and the striker is set to remain on the sidelines for the foreseeable future.
Sam McClelland is also set to remain on the treatment table due to an Achilles tendon injury he sustained in August, though his return is anticipated to be later this month.
Having won all of their last four matches, Valakari may decide to name a largely unchanged starting team for this match, though Adama Sidibeh may start as the striker.
Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
O'Hara; Wright, Mayo, Ndaba; Armstrong, Watson, Polworth, Magennis, Murray; Wales, Watkins
St Johnstone possible starting lineup:
Sinclair; Sprangler, Mikulic, Douglas; Curtis, Holt, Watt, Wright; Carey, Griffith; Sidibeh
We say: Kilmarnock 2-1 St Johnstone
Kilmarnock may have faced their challenges this season, but their strong home form - losing only three of their 12 home fixtures - leads us to believe they will secure a victory here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
