ST MIRREN can ease through to the next round of the Scottish Cup by winning at Ayr United.
Jim Goodwin's Saints chalked up an excellent success at Dundee United in midweek and the Paisley side needed that after 11 games without a win.
But they had actually drawn six in that run, including against Celtic with a heavily depleted side and lost to Rangers twice in that spell as well as at Hearts and Aberdeen. Only a home defeat to Dundee could really be regarded as a poor result.
They've had horrendous luck with isolations and injuries and the winter break is likely to have done them some good to clear things.
Saints are better than their league position suggests and still might yet have a say in their seemingly never-ending battle to win a top six place.
They face an Ayr side under new management after Lee Bullen took over. But after an initial new manager bounce when they defeated Arbroath, they flopped at home to Morton last week.
And St Mirren should have too much for Ayr at Somerset Park at 13/10.
KILMARNOCK will fancy their chances of knocking out Dundee United at Rugby Park and should be worth a go at 8/5.
The Ayrshire side won at Dumfries and should have held on for a win at Partick Thistle under new boss Derek McInnes, but they were guilty of poor game management as his attempts to see the game out backfired.
But United are unlikely to fancy a trip to Rugby Park after their recent dismal run continued against St Mirren at home in midweek.
Even the arrival of new signing Tony Watt couldn't prevent another loss and alarm bells are starting to ring at Tannadice. They've now lost six on the spin and have chalked up one win in 11 and the heady days of being joint top of the league in October look a long way away.
Killie will have a go and can add to their problems.
ROSS COUNTY look overpriced to win their all-Premiership clash at Livingston.
Both sides have turned the corner and are in good recent form. Ten man County beat Motherwell, while Livi saw off Dundee in midweek.
Malky Mackay has got a real tune out of County though and they've scored at least one goal in 12 of their last 13 games.
There looks to be little between the two in-form teams and therefore the Staggies look a big price at 2/1.
Scottish Cup tips
- St Mirren 13/10 McBookie
- Kilmarnock 8/5 McBookie
- Ross County 2/1 McBookie
Freelance Scottish Football journalist for all newspapers. Former Racing Post Scottish Football Correspondent and long-suffering Aberdeen fan.
