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Ross County
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 23
Jan 28, 2023 at 3pm UK
Victoria Park
Kilmarnock logo

Ross County
3 - 0
Kilmarnock

Brophy (13'), White (48'), Dhanda (63')
Callachan (38')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Vassell (78')

Preview: Ross County vs. Kilmarnock - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Scottish Premiership clash between Ross County and Kilmarnock, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

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

Ross County manager Malky Mackay reacts on March 19, 2022© Reuters

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.

Kilmarnock's Kyle Lafferty in action with Celtic's Cameron Carter-Vickers on January 14, 2023© Reuters

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.

Ross County Scottish Premiership form:


Ross County form (all competitions):


Kilmarnock Scottish Premiership form:


Kilmarnock form (all competitions):



Team News

Eamonn Brophy in axtion for Kilmarnock in August 2020© Reuters

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


SM words green background

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.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data


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Game History

How you voted: Ross County vs Kilmarnock

Ross County
33.3%
Draw
0.0%
Kilmarnock
66.7%
6
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1211103543134
2Aberdeen12101125121331
3RangersRangers12723179823
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd135531914520
5Motherwell126151616019
6St Mirren145361923-418
7Dundee134362225-315
8Ross County143651222-1015
9St Johnstone144191727-1013
10Kilmarnock133371526-1112
11Hearts142391524-99
12Hibernian131571222-108


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