Ross County take on Hamilton Academical in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday in a potentially pivotal clash at the bottom of the table.
Bottom-placed Hamilton head into the encounter three points behind Ross County with a greater goal difference, with Kilmarnock sandwiched between the two teams in the relegation playoff position.
Match preview
© Reuters
One of these two sides would likely have been relegated last season had it not been for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 10th-placed Ross County two points ahead of Hamilton at the time last season was curtailed.
It is almost fitting, then, that 12 months later the two clubs face off in what is close to resembling a relegation decider.
John Hughes's side secured a crucial 2-0 win away to Dundee United last time out, with Jordan White and Alex Iacovitti's first-half strikes sealing the win which ensured they remained above Hamilton, who won on the same day themselves.
Ross County must avoid defeat to Hamilton on Wednesday otherwise they will slip into the bottom two, and potentially bottom should Kilmarnock avoid defeat to St Mirren.
© Reuters
Hamilton are currently enjoying their longest run in Scotland's top flight since before the World War II, having survived since being promoted since 2014.
However, that is in serious danger of ending by the final day of the season on Sunday, with two crucial matches against relegation rivals Ross County and Kilmarnock set to define their season.
Two victories for Brian Rice's side will guarantee their survival, so in a sense the 57-year-old will almost certainly be relieved to be playing his side's direct rivals as it ensures that their destiny remains in their own hands, despite the undoubted pressure the fixtures will bring.
Hamilton showed signs of improvement during their 2-1 win at St Mirren last time out, too, with Ross Callachan and David Moyo's strikes either side of half time securing a crucial win which has kept their chance of survival firmly alive.
- W
- L
- L
- D
- L
- W
- L
- L
- L
- D
- L
- W
- D
- L
- D
- L
- L
- W
- L
- D
- L
- L
- L
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Ross County will certainly be without Tim Grivosti, who is out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.
Callum Morris and former Liverpool defender Connor Randall remain injury doubts, too, with Hughes certain to name his strongest possible XI.
Hamilton, meanwhile, have several injury issues, with Ryan Fulton, Andy Winter, Shaun Want and David Templeton all out for the rest of the season.
Scott Martin and Marios Ogkmpoe are also doubts due to leg issues, with Rice likely to name an unchanged XI.
Ross County possible starting lineup:
Laidlaw; Naismith, Donaldson, Iacovitti, Hjelde; Spittal, Vigurs, Tillson, Kelly, Gardyne; White
Hamilton Academical possible starting lineup:
Gourlay; Hamilton, Martin, McMann; Hodson, Munro, Odoffin, Callachan, Mimnaugh; Moyo, Anderson
We say: Ross County 1-1 Hamilton Academical
We can envisage a draw playing out between these two sides, who will understandably be extremely cautious of losing.
Should there indeed be a share of the spoils, it would ensure that both sides retain a chance of staying up on the last day of the season.
Top tip
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Ross County win with a probability of 40.32%. A win for Hamilton Academical had a probability of 32.16% and a draw had a probability of 27.5%.
The most likely scoreline for a Ross County win was 1-0 with a probability of 11.62%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (8.35%) and 2-0 (7.48%). The likeliest Hamilton Academical win was 0-1 (10.1%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.99%). The actual scoreline of 2-1 was predicted with an 8.4% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Ross County would win this match.
