A battle at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership sees last-placed Ross County host closest rivals Kilmarnock on Saturday, at Victoria Park.
Despite snatching a draw at Motherwell in their last league outing, the hosts remain stuck to the foot of the table; meanwhile, Killie most recently bounced back from losing to both Old Firm clubs by progressing in the cup.
Match preview
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Since the Premiership resumed after its World Cup break, Ross County have picked up fewer points than any other side in the division - in six league games they have posted only two draws and four defeats.
The Staggies managed to salvage a point away to Motherwell a fortnight ago, when Jordy Hiwula's 80th-minute equaliser hauled them level at Fir Park, but remain among a host of strugglers at the wrong end of the standings - including this weekend's opponents.
Again suffering due to their shortage of firepower up front, Malky Mackay's men were then eliminated from the Scottish Cup by Hamilton, after a goalless stalemate saw the teams' fourth-round tie go to penalties, where the Championship side won 5-3 on spot-kicks.
In the top flight, Ross County have scored the fewest goals of any club this season (15), while no side has failed to score in more games (10, level with Kilmarnock).
Now set to face their fellow relegation battlers back home in Dingwall, County have lost only one of their last nine home games against them in the Premiership - winning six times in the process - and none since a 2-1 reverse in March 2017.
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Just a point above their hosts in the tightly-packed table, Kilmarnock are seeking successive wins over Ross County for the first time in six years, having beaten them 1-0 in October's reverse fixture.
However, even taking on the division's lowliest side, Killie are not particularly fancied to prevail on Saturday, as they remain the only team without an away win in this season's Premiership.
A record of two draws and nine losses from their first 11 attempts demonstrates the extent of their misery in that regard, and represents the worst such run since Partick Thistle's in 2017-18.
After losing out to Celtic in the League Cup semi-finals earlier this month, Derek McInnes saw his men beaten 3-2 by Rangers in the league, but victory over Dumbarton last time out at least steered them through to the Scottish Cup fifth round, where they play Dundee United next month.
The East Ayrshire club can continue to dream of silverware, then, but first a tussle with the only team below them in the table is already a fixture of 'six-pointer' status.
Team News
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As ex-Killie striker Eamonn Brophy has joined Ross County on loan from Premiership rivals St Mirren, after making just a single start this season, the once-capped Scotland international could make his Staggies debut against one of his former clubs on Saturday.
Brophy joins Wigan Athletic youngster Josh Stones in signing temporary terms at Victoria Park this week, while Matthew Wright has left on loan to Falkirk.
Alex Samuel recently returned to action for the hosts, but Ben Purrington remains sidelined and Canadian midfielder Ben Paton is out for the long term with an ACL injury.
Kilmarnock, meanwhile, are set to be without Jeriel Dorsett and Innes Cameron once again, and Aston Villa loanee Ben Chrisene suffered a serious knee injury in the League Cup loss to Celtic.
Kyle Lafferty should feature up front, after starting his first game for Killie following a 10-game suspension; partnering recent signing Kyle Vassell.
Another Killie forward, Oli Shaw, could be bound for Barnsley before the transfer window shuts, so is not expected to travel.
Ross County possible starting lineup:
Laidlaw; Randall, Watson, Baldwin, Harmon; Callachan, Tillson; Edwards, Dhanda, Olaigbe; Brophy
Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
Walker; Mayo, Taylor, Wright; Armstrong, Polworth, Power, McInroy, Murray; Vassell, Lafferty
We say: Ross County 0-1 Kilmarnock
Both sides lack potency up front, and confidence is low in either camp due to a string of recent failures. Therefore, a grim battle for the points should be expected - one which Killie can edge, to finally break their winless streak away from home.
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Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
