TWO clubs hoping to bounce back from defeats at the weekend meet at Rugby Park on Thursday as ninth-placed Kilmarnock plays host to fifth-placed St Mirren.
Kilmarnock suffered more away-day misery last time out, as they fell to a 1-0 defeat away at resurgent Hibs in a match they received yet another red card.
Whilst that’s now six without a win on the road for Killie, Derek McInnes’s side have lost just one of their last seven at home (W3-D3-L1) – a 0-2 loss against champions Celtic – winning each of their past two against Hearts (1-0) and Aberdeen (4-0).
St Mirren failed to extend their winning run to four matches last time out, as they fell to a 1-2 defeat at home to Dundee, which saw them slip down to fifth position in the Premiership table, just three points clear of seventh-placed Hibs.
After picking up a solitary point across their opening five road trips this campaign, Stephen Robinson’s side have won three of their next four, including back-to-back dramatic victories at St Johnstone (2-3) and Ross County (1-2).
How the bookies view it: Killie slight favourites
Killie are favourites to continue their strong home form, with BoyleSports pricing a third straight victory for the Ayrshire club at 11/10.
The same firm are offering odds of 9/4 for The Buddies to make it four away wins from five, whilst the stalemate is 21/10.
Head to head: Killie unbeaten in 10
Kilmarnock are unbeaten in each of their previous 10 meetings with The Buddies, including a 5-2 victory in their last meeting at this venue back in March.
Players to Watch: Anderson a Brucie Bonus
Bruce Anderson is Kilmarnock’s top scorer this season, netting six times in the Scottish Premiership, with the Ex-Livingston striker scoring in three of his past five matches.
Toyosi Olusanya is St Mirren’s top-scorer, also with six, in the Premiership this campaign and scored in the 2-2 when the sides last faced off in Paisley in September.
Probable line-ups
Winger Daniel Armstrong will be suspended for Kilmarnock following his sending off for two yellow cards at Easter Road last time out, whilst Stuart Findley remains out injured.
Captain Mark O’Hara and winger Conor McMenamin will be out injured for the visitors.
Kilmarnock: McCrorie, Lyons, Wright, Mayo, Ndaba, McKenzie, Polworth, Watson, Murray, Anderson, Vassell
St Mirren: Balcombe, Fraser, Iacovitti, Gogic, Bwomono, Symth, Phillips, John, Kiltie, Idowu, Olusanya
Anything else catch the eye?
St Mirren’s opening 20 contests in the Premiership have averaged 2.95 goals per game, with Over 2.5 Goals landing in a league-high 16 (80%) of them.
Those numbers rise significantly on their travels, with their opening nine road trips averaging an eye-catching 3.44 goals per game, with eight (89%) delivering three or more goals.
As mentioned above, these two sides played out a 2-2 draw in their last meeting in September – and given there were seven goals scored in the pair’s previous meeting at this venue back in March – I’m happy to have a play on Over 2.5 Goals.
There have been nine red cards in Killie’s Premiership fixtures this season, with them receiving a league-high seventh last time out – and given there have been six in St Mirren’s league outings this term – I’m also happy to have a small play on there being a red card in the match, just like there was in Paisley in their last meeting.
This Scottish Premiership match between Kilmarnock and St Mirren will be played on Jan 2, 2025 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Kilmarnock vs St Mirren prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
