THE SPFL Championship has treated us to some unbelievable drama this season and it looks like the play-offs will be every bit as thrilling after Partick Thistle and Queen's Park fought out a 4-3 thriller in the first leg of their quarter-final.
The Spiders headed into that game nursing the crushing disappointment of missing out on the title after losing 5-3 at home to champions Dundee on an incredible night of tension at both ends of the table.
But Owen Coyle's men showed tremendous character to recover from 2-0 and 3-1 down, only for Partick Thistle to have the final say as Brian Graham scored the winner in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
Graham's winner brought up both of our man Mark's recommended bets that night and I was also celebrating having backed both a Jags victory and a one-goal winning margin.
Queen's Park will now have to recover from another painful blow but they will give it a go as they chase a fairytale promotion to the Premiership.
The Spiders came up to the second tier via the play-offs last term so they know what it takes to get the job done and certainly have the firepower to turn around a one-goal deficit.
How the bookies view it
Partick are McBookie's red-hot 1/4 favourites to reach the semi-final at after winning the first leg, with Queen's Park out at 11/4. But the odds are closer for a win on the night, with the Spiders at 17/10, the Jags 29/20 and the draw paying 13/5.
Recent head to head
This is the sixth meeting of these sides this season, with Queen's Park just edging it with three victories to two. But it's Partick Thistle who have held the upper hand in the last two clashes, winning both. Those victories came at Firhill though, with the Spiders winning 3-2 then 2-0 in the two matches at Ochilview.
Players to watch
Dom Thomas didn't deserve to end up on the losing side in midweek after scoring twice in another stellar display for Queen's Park. The former Motherwell and Kilmarnock winger has 12 goals for the season and is 4/1 at Paddy Power for another goal. He has been more of a provider in recent weeks but I've yet to see any prices for an assist.
Scott Tiffoney has been a regular source of goals from midfield this season for Partick, netting nine times. He has three goals from his last six outings and is 12/5 at McBookie to add to his tally here.
Anything else catch the eye?
Queen's Park's last two games have been thrillers, with 15 goals across both matches. They need to go for it again here so it bodes well for more goals. Over 2.5 goals is just 13/20 at Paddy Power and BTTS also offers little value at 8/13 with McBookie. But over 1.5 first-half goals is 6/4 at Paddy Power and that looks decent value based on recent performances from both sides.
The Spiders have conceded two or more goals in their last three outings so there could be some value in backing over 1.5 Partick Thistle goals at 11/10 with McBookie. The first leg only produced four corners and that suggests betting against corners may pay off, although I've yet to see any prices for that either with so few firms pricing this game up so far.
Cards are more likely with so much at stake and McBookie have a market on individual players falling foul of the referee. Jags defender Jack McMillan appeals at 11/4 for a 10th card this term while Spiders stopper Charlie Fox is 5/4 after six yellows and one red this term.
This Scottish Championship match between Queen's Park and Partick Thistle will be played on May 12, 2023 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Queen's Park vs Partick Thistle prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
