Two sides locked on points in the Scottish Premiership are set to come together on Saturday afternoon when St Mirren host Ross County at The Smisa Stadium.
The hosts currently sit seventh in the table with 11 points, earned through three wins, two draws, and six defeats, while the visitors are in eighth, also with 11 points, from two wins, five draws, and four defeats.
Match preview
![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
St Mirren came into this campaign with ambitions of finishing in the top six for the third consecutive season, having placed sixth in 2022-23 and fifth in 2023-24.
After a positive start to the term that saw them remain unbeaten after four matches across all competitions, two wins and two draws, St Mirren followed that with a miserable run of results.
They lost four consecutive fixtures across all competitions, including being eliminated from the Conference League playoff round by SK Brann, before drawing back-to-back matches, leaving them without a win in seven outings.
Stephen Robinson's side finally achieved a crucial victory against Hearts but then suffered four consecutive defeats once again, however, they managed to rebound with a solid 3-1 win over St Johnstone in their most recent match.
Now seeking to achieve back-to-back league victories for the first time this season, Robinson's men will face a Ross County team they have not lost to in their last seven encounters at The Smisa Stadium, recording five wins and two draws.
However, Ross County are coming into this match in superior form compared to their opponents, having won two, drawn three, and lost two of their last seven outings.
This marks a slight improvement compared to their disappointing start to the season, during which the Staggies failed to win any of their first four league matches, drawing two and losing two.
They will be especially pleased to find themselves four points above the relegation playoff spot after just 11 matches, considering Ross County finished 11th in each of the last two seasons.
Team News
© Imago
The hosts will be without the services of Alex Iacovitti until at least December due to a tendon injury that the central defender sustained in early September.
Following a superb 3-1 win in their last outing, courtesy of goals from Mark O'Hara, Scott Tanser and Jonah Ayunga, Robinson could opt to name the same starting team here.
George Harmon, Max Sheaf and Will Nightingale are all set to remain on the sidelines until at least November due to various injury issues.
Having avoided defeat in each of their last two league outings, Don Cowie may decide to field a similar starting 11 for the game against St Mirren, with Ronan Hale and Jordan White continuing up front.
St Mirren possible starting lineup:
Balcombe; Fraser, Gogic, Dunne; Bwomono, Phillips, O'Hara, Tanser; Scott, Olusanya, Kiltie
Ross County possible starting lineup:
Laidlaw; Wright, Lopata, Leak; Brown, Denholm, Randall, Campbell; Chilvers; White, Hale
We say: St Mirren 2-1 Ross County
The hosts will be boosted after a superb 3-1 win last time out, and with their strong record at home against Ross County, we are expecting the hosts to win this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
