THE latest round of Scottish Championship fixtures kicks off with Ayr United playing host Partick Thistle on Friday night.
After finishing second place last term, the Honest Men's early season form would suggest that they may struggle to reach similar heights this time around.
Lee Bullen’s side are occupying ninth place in the Championship table having lost the three of their opening four league games of the season, most recently going down 2-1 at Arbroath a fortnight ago.
Ayr have since been dumped out of the SPFL Trust Trophy by League One pacesetters Falkirk, and a visit from Partick Thistle may not provide much respite.
Jags boss Kris Doolan made wholesale changes for last week’s Trust Trophy clash with Queen of the South, on an afternoon where Efe Ambrose scored a last- gasp winner to record a 3-2 victory for the Doonhamers.
However, promotion to the Scottish Premiership will be Patrick's priority this season so expect the visitors to revert to a side similar to that which have made light work of both Queen’s Park and Morton in each of their last two league games.
Outright Betting
Ayr United, who have won just four league games at home this calendar year, go into this televised tussle as 9/5 (Bet 365) outsiders while a share of the Somerset Park spoils pays 12/5 (Bet 365).
Partick Thistle are 13/10 (Bet 365) favourites to make it three Scottish Championship wins in succession.
Betting Angles
Given the contrasting start these two teams have made to the season, I’m more than happy to back Partick Thistle to pick up another three points here at 13/10 (Bet 365).
The Jags have started the season with the same attacking intent that took them to the cusp of securing promotion to the top-flight last term, as evidenced by the fact they are the joint-top scorers in the division.
In fact, free-scoring Thistle have struck seven times across their last two league games, which doesn’t augur well for an Ayr side low on confidence and in poor form.
The Honest Men were soundly beaten 3-1 by Morton on the opening weekend and they have since slumped to 3-0 and 2-1 losses to both Dundee United and Arbroath respectively.
While the season is still in its infancy, the sale of star striker Dipo Akinyem in the summer and failure to adequately replace him looks to have left Lee Bullen's side short on attacking spark.
With all this in mind, as well as the likelihood of the visitors being roared on by a large travelling support, backing Partick to prevail here at 13/10 holds appeal.
On a similar line of reasoning to the above, I'll also go with the 6/5 on offer with Bet 365 for Kris Doolan's side to deliver Over 1.5 Team Goals.
The Maryhill outfit have made the net bulge twice or more in three of their opening four league games of the season, not to mention they racked up five strikes against Ayr at this venue a little less than four months ago.
Finally, I’ll also back Partick Thistle forward Brian Graham to get on the scoresheet at 9/5 with William Hill.
The Firhill talisman arrives in Ayrshire in razor-sharp form having netted three times across his last two starts and there is plenty of scope for the veteran striker to continue his hot-streak at Somerset Park
This Scottish Championship match between Ayr United and Partick Thistle will be played on Sep 15, 2023 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Ayr United vs Partick Thistle prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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