Preview: Ross County vs. St Mirren - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors are currently in third place, and could climb above Rangers with three points in this game.

Match preview

Ross County are currently sat second-bottom in the Scottish Premiership, and are without a win in their previous four matches in all competitions, a run they will be looking to put behind them.

The Staggies are aiming for a fresh start following the international break, especially since there are only three points keeping them off the foot of the table.

That is something that Malky Mackay will be very wary of, but his team did show significant improvements during their most recent outing, even if it did lead to a loss.

Ross County were beaten 1-0 by Hearts, but considering no team has conceded more goals in the league this season there was a clear effort from a defensive point of view.

The Staggies have been slightly stronger in home fixtures throughout this season, but after scoring only six goals in seven matches there is a need for a stronger attacking performance this weekend.

That is something that the visitors will be cautious of, because while they might sit in third place St Mirren have been open to conceding goals throughout this campaign.

That was clear during their most recent outing when Steve Robinson's men were comfortably defeated 3-0 by Rangers, a result that saw the Gers overtake them in the league table.

The Buddies did have to play for over an hour with 10 men in that top-of-the-table clash after Ryan Strain was sent off in the first half, which placed increased pressure on his teammates.

With St Mirren suffering the taste of defeat for the first time this season in their previous match, this weekend will be a test of their bouncebackability, and whether or not they are able to maintain their strong performances.

The Buddies will be aiming to instantly get back into second place after Saturday, and while they will be relying upon Rangers slipping up, Robinson's men will push to at least do their part.

Ross County Scottish Premiership form:

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Ross County form (all competitions):

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St Mirren Scottish Premiership form:

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St Mirren form (all competitions):

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Team News

Ross County will continue to be without Ben Paton and Ross Callachan, who are both on the sidelines with long-term cruciate ligament injuries.

Josh Reid and Josh Sims are also injury concerns for the Staggies and are not expected to feature this weekend, but Dylan Smith did return to the squad before the international break and should now be at full fitness after a longer period of training.

St Mirren will be forced into making at least one change to the starting lineup due to Strain's suspension, which could open up the chance for Keanu Baccus to start.

Alex Grieve was only used as a substitute in St Mirren's last outing, but he could be an attacking option that the Buddies call upon here.

Ross County possible starting lineup:

Laidlaw; Nightingale, Leak, Harmon; Brown, Randall, Turner, Purrington; Dhanda; Murray, White

St Mirren possible starting lineup:

Hemming; Fraser, Gogic, Dunne; Tanser, Baccus, O'Hara, Tanser; McMenamin, Mandron, Kiltie

We say: Ross County 0-2 St Mirren

Ross County are in a difficult spell at the moment, and while they will be resilient in putting up a fight at home this could be too much for them.

The visitors have been one of the strongest teams in the division this season, and will walk into this fixture as the clear favourites.

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