Hearts have had a miserable season up until now, but there are signs they are finally heading in the right direction and they can get the better of an injury-depleted Kilmarnock side.
The Jambos are still in a relegation dogfight – at least to avoid the play-off spot. However, a win on Saturday would see them move above Killie and continue steady progress,
Manager Neil Critchley was under pressure, especially after a derby defeat to Hibs at home, but since then they have defeated Motherwell, won at in-form Dundee United and only a saved penalty in injury time prevented them winning at Aberdeen.
They survived a scare last week to beat Brechin City comfortably enough in the Scottish Cup and new signings Michael Steinwender, Jamie McCart and Elton Kabangu should bolster their squad with quality.
They face a Killie side who are missing keeper Robby McCrorie, captain Brad Lyons and Rory McKenzie and have failed to get any kind of real consistency this term.
Nor are they particularly strong on their travels. Hearts have extra incentive too to win this after two defeats from Killie so far and look decent value at 17/20 with McBookie.com.
Ayr United have really kicked on recently after a sticky spell and can keep on the hunt for the Championship title at evens with McBookie.com against Partick Thistle.
Scott Brown's side went goal crazy last week in the Scottish Cup with an 8-0 demolition of Lowland League side Broxburn Athletic.
They have won five out of their last six games and haven't conceded in four.
They are hitting their stride at just the right time and face a Jags side who have underachieved this season.
Watford recalling the league's best keeper in Myles Roberts hasn't helped them and they still hugely rely on 37-year-old striker Brian Graham. Ayr are just two points behind Falkirk and can keep on track.
Montrose should win at McBookie.com's 6/4 at an Annan Athletic side who look like they could be caught for the relegation play-offs by Inverness – despite ICT having 15 points deducted.
Annan haven't won at home since October and have lost seven goals in their last two games at Galabank without scoring.
They have lost a couple of loanees who have been recalled too this month and Montrose have added youngsters from Hearts and Dundee United.
They took Championship side Queen's Park to extra time last week in the Scottish Cup and were seconds away from winning.
Freelance Scottish Football journalist for all newspapers. Former Racing Post Scottish Football Correspondent and long-suffering Aberdeen fan.
