Ross County, looking to end a three-game losing streak, are set to host St Mirren at the Global Energy Stadium on Saturday afternoon as they matchup in the Scottish Premiership.
The hosts are 10th in the league with 15 points from 17 games, while the visitors are sitting in sixth in the standings with 21 points from their 17 matches.
Match preview
© Imago
Having finished in the relegation playoff place in each of the last two seasons, narrowly beating Partick Thistle on penalties after a 3-3 aggregate draw in 2022-23 and smashing Raith Rovers 6-1 on aggregate in 2023-24, Ross County would have been aiming to avoid a third successive relegation playoff appearance this term.
They initially had a decent start in pursuit of that goal, losing just five of their opening 14 matches with three wins and six draws, but they have suffered three consecutive defeats heading into this one.
Ross County have conceded a massive 11 goals in the last three matches, 5-0 to Celtic, 3-0 to Rangers and 3-1 to Hibernian, results that have seen them fall to 10th in the league and just two points above bottom-placed Hearts.
The lack of victories and goals has been the key issue for Don Cowie's side, ranking joint-bottom of the league with just three wins and also scoring the fewest of any side with just 13, an issue they will be eager to solve as the season progresses.
As for St Mirren, they are heading into this one aiming to secure a finish inside the top six places for the third consecutive season, having placed sixth in 2022-23 and fifth in 2023-24.
A challenging opening to the campaign saw St Mirren win just two of their initial 10 fixtures, alongside six losses and two draws, but they have been significantly improved in the following weeks.
They went unbeaten for four games as they defeated St Johnstone, Hibernian and Aberdeen, as well as drawing with Ross County, before suffering back-to-back losses, but they have once again bounced back with a victory over St Johnstone last time out.
Those results leave Stephen Robinson's side sitting sixth in the table with 21 points from 17 matches, after six wins, three draws and eight defeats, meaning they hold a two-point lead over seventh-placed Dundee.
Aiming to secure a second consecutive win and widen the gap over the bottom half of the table, St Mirren must beat a Ross County side that they have failed to beat in the last four visits to the Global Energy Stadium, with three defeats and one draw.
Team News
![Stephen Robinson of St Mirren during the UEFA Europa Conference League Second Qualifying Round Second Leg match at the SMISA Stadium, Paisley, on August 1, 2024 [on August 2, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/31/stephen-robinson.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Stephen Robinson of St Mirren during the UEFA Europa Conference League Second Qualifying Round Second Leg match at the SMISA Stadium, Paisley, on August 1, 2024 [on August 2, 2024]")
© Imago
Ross County will be unable to call upon the services of Ross Laidlaw (knee) and Will Nightingale for this match due to injury issues, with both expected to return late this month or early next.
Ronan Hale is Ross County's top scorer with five goals in the league, and the Staggies will be looking to the striker to make the difference again here.
As for St Mirren, they will be without Charles Dunne for this match due to a hamstring injury that has kept him out of the side since the end of October, with his return not scheduled until later this month.
Having bounced back from defeat with a win against St Johnstone last time out, Robinson could opt to name a similar starting team for this one.
Ross County possible starting lineup:
Hamilton; Wright, Lopata, Campbell; Brown, Randall, Allardice, Nisbet, Harmon; Chilvers, Hale
St Mirren possible starting lineup:
Balcombe; Fraser, Iacovitti, Taylor; Bwomono, Phillips, O'Hara, Tanser; McMenamin, Kiltie; Mandron
We say: Ross County 0-2 St Mirren
The hosts have suffered three consecutive heavy defeats heading into this one, with an aggregate score of 11-1, while St Mirren have won three of their last five, leading us to believe the visitors will win here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
![Stuart Kettlewell file photo of Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell, who is looking to tie down the majority of his squad before pre-season as he revealed every player knows where they stand ahead of Sunday s final game - 22/04/2023 [on July 26, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/11/29/1x1.gif?w=1&h=1 "Stuart Kettlewell file photo of Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell, who is looking to tie down the majority of his squad before pre-season as he revealed every player knows where they stand ahead of Sunday s final game - 22/04/2023 [on July 26, 2024]")
