Two clubs separated by just three points in the Scottish Premiership table meet in Paisley on Saturday as eighth-placed St Mirren hosts 10th-placed Kilmarnock in a fixture both sides will be keen to ease relegation woes.
St Mirren raced into a two-goal lead at Fir Park last time out, but somehow managed to leave North Lanarkshire with just one point on an afternoon where both of my goals-based selections landed.
Stephen Robinson’s hopes of back-to-back top-six finishes have faltered in recent months, with The Buddies winning just two of their previous 11 Premiership contests (W2-D2-L7), leaving them four points behind sixth-placed Hearts.
St Mirren have struggled at home in particular the last few months, losing four of their previous five at their Paisley base (W0-D1-L4), failing to score in three of their past four.
Kilmarnock managed to put a halt on their three-match losing run last time out, as Fraser Murray popped up with a stoppage-time equaliser at home to Hibs to help land two of my three selections.
That point keeps Killie six points clear of bottom side St Johnstone, but they are now just one point clear of Dundee, who occupy the relegation playoff spot.
Derek McInnes’s side must improve their away form, with the Ayrshire side winless in each of their past nine Premiership contests on their travels, picking up just two points (W0-D2-L7).
How the bookies view it: Buddies backed to bounce back
Despite being winless in each of their last five at home, Boylesports make St Mirren 5/4 favourites to claim all three points.
Killie are 2/1 with the same firm to end their nine-match winless run away from home, with the draw at 21/10.
Head to head: Killie unbeaten in 11
Kilmarnock are unbeaten in each of their previous 11 meetings with The Buddies, including a 2-0 victory at Rugby Park in their last meeting at the turn of the year.
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Bruce Anderson is Kilmarnock’s top scorer this season, netting eight times in the Scottish Premiership, including a brace in their 2-0 win over St Mirren in January.
St Mirren midfielder Killian Phillips has scored four goals for The Buddies in the Premiership this term, including in each of his last two appearances.
Probable line-ups
The Buddies will be without their top two scorers, with Mikael Mandron injured and Toyosi Olusanya suspended.
Kilmarnock will be without defender Stuart Findlay and club captain Kyle Vassell.
St Mirren: Hemming, Fraser, Gogic, Iacovitti, Alebiosu, Boyd-Munce, O’Hara, Phillips, John, Oseni, Ayunga
Kilmarnock: McCrorie, Mayo, Wright, Deas, Ndaba, Armstrong, Lyons, Watson, Murray, Watkins, Anderson
Anything else catch the eye?
As already alluded to, neither side comes into this clash in great form, with St Mirren picking up a solitary point from their last five at home, whilst Killie are winless in nine away from home.
However, Killie are unbeaten in each of their previous 11 meetings with St Mirren, meaning I’m happy to back the Ayrshire club on the +0.25 Asian Handicap.
This would reward us a full payout in Kilmarnock leaving Paisley with all three points, whilst a draw would pocket us a half-stakes winner.
Just five of Kilmarnock’s previous 19 Premiership fixtures have seen Over 2.5 Goals- with two of those coming against Rangers – and given The Buddies are without their top two scorers, I’m keen to oppose goals at Paisley on Saturday.
This Scottish Premiership match between St Mirren and Kilmarnock will be played on and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best St Mirren vs Kilmarnock prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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