St Johnstone host Kilmarnock this weekend at McDiarmid Park, in a clash between two struggling Scottish Premiership sides.
Two points separate the sides in the table, with the hosts hovering just above the relegation zone on 10 points, despite a recent change in management.
Match preview
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Craig Levein was the first managerial casualty in the Scottish Premiership this season after he was sacked just five games into the new campaign, having been in charge at St Johnstone for 10 months.
The former Scotland boss guided the club to safety last season after inheriting a team bottom of the league, but a run of four defeats from their opening five league fixtures ended his time at the club.
Since Levein's departure, Andy Kirk and Alex Cleland oversaw two games, in which they secured a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Ross County, before a heavy 6-0 defeat at home to defending champions Celtic.
Following that crushing defeat, Simo Valakari was made Levein's permanent successor at St Johnstone, with the Finnish manager guiding the club to two wins in his first three games in charge.
However, since their 2-1 win against Dundee in October, the hosts have now lost three games in a row, adding to the importance of winning this fixture.
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Their opponents this weekend are another side in need of a win to kickstart their season, having suffered three defeats in their last four games.
Early season commitments to both the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League qualifiers had an impact on the club's domestic form – as well as an early European exit, the club lost their opening three league games and suffered defeat in the League Cup to Motherwell.
Since then, they recovered to go on a five-game unbeaten run in the league, which included a 1-0 win over Rangers in October, their only home win so far this season.
The only team in the division with a worse record at home than Kilmarnock are this weekend's hosts, St Johnstone, who have only claimed three points at home this season.
The visitors have only won two more points than St Johnstone on home soil, but they have fared better away from home, with seven of their 12 points this campaign gained away from Rugby Park.
Kilmarnock were a surprise package in the Scottish Premiership last season, finishing fourth in the league, in only their second season back in the division.
Despite being just three points clear of danger, a win this weekend would be a step in the right direction for Killie, who will still believe that they can reach the same heights as last season with a good run of form.
Team News
![Stuart Findlay defender of Kilmarnock FC during the UEFA Europa League Second qualifying round, 2nd leg match between Cercle Brugge and Kilmarnock F.C. at the Jan Breydel stadium on August 01, 2024 [on August 2, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/31/stuart-findlay.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Stuart Findlay defender of Kilmarnock FC during the UEFA Europa League Second qualifying round, 2nd leg match between Cercle Brugge and Kilmarnock F.C. at the Jan Breydel stadium on August 01, 2024 [on August 2, 2024]")
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Summer signing Uche Ikpeazu is back in training with the hosts after having knee surgery in June, with the forward yet to make his debut for St Johnstone after arriving on a free transfer from Port Vale.
Another long-term absentee is Sam McClelland, who has been out since he ruptured his Achilles in the opening game of the season against Aberdeen.
Elsewhere, goalkeeper Ross Sinclair and midfielder Cameron MacPherson are both expected to miss out due to hip injuries - but in more positive news for the hosts, Bozo Mikulic could make his home debut for St Johnstone after coming off the bench for the closing minutes of their 2-1 defeat at Motherwell.
Meanwhile, Kilmarnock will likely be without Kyle Magennis due to a hamstring injury, while Stuart Findlay remains sidelined until January with an ankle problem.
St Johnstone possible starting lineup:
Rae; Douglas, Sanders, Cameron, Wright; Holt, Carey, Sprangler, Smith; Clark, Sidibeh
Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
McCrorie; Deas, Ndaba, Wright, Mayo; Kennedy, Donnelly, Watson, Lyons; Watkins, Vassell
We say: St Johnstone 1-1 Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock appear to prefer playing away from home lately, but neither side went into the international break in any real form.
St Johnstone need to begin repairing their awful record at home this season, and we think they will grab a point from this game in a 1-1 draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Tom Humphrey
