Preview: Kilmarnock vs. St Johnstone - prediction, team news, lineups

With just one win this term, it has not been the start to proceedings Kilmarnock would have hoped for in the Scottish Premiership up until now.

Match preview

Losers in four of their six Scottish Premiership matches this season, Kilmarnock's form has been left wanting so far.

Their only victory in the league this term came against Motherwell two weeks ago, but Kilmarnock were unable to back that up against Hibernian on Saturday afternoon.

The latest defeat saw Kilmarnock slip to second bottom in the Scottish Premiership table, with only winless Dundee United sitting below Killie right now.

With just three goals scored, their attack is the second worst in the division, whereas the 11 goals conceded is also the amongst the most in the league.

While two points and two places ahead of Saturday's opponents heading into the weekend, St Johnstone have not had an ideal start to the campaign either.

Winners in just two of their opening six matches so far, only three sides in the league have a lower points tally.

A weekend win over St. Mirren did help alleviate some of the pressure, while ending a run of three straight defeats.

No side in the bottom half have scored more goals than St Johnstone, but defensive frailties have cost them posting more points at this stage.

However, with a record of four straight victories in this fixture, St Johnstone will likely enter the weekend clash in high spirits, with hopes of back-to-back victories for the first time this season.

August 2019 was the last time Kilmarnock got the better of St Johnstone, with Killie desperate to replicate the 1-0 victory again this weekend.

Kilmarnock Scottish Premiership form:

Kilmarnock form (all competitions):

St Johnstone Scottish Premiership form:

Team News

Already struggling, Kilmarnock are without a number of players this weekend, not least defender Ashton Taylor, who was sent of in the defeat to Hibbs on Saturday.

Set to be light in defence, Jeriel Dorsett is also missing for the home side, with the defender out with knee injury.

Jordan Jones could be in line for a return, but the same cannot be said for Zach Hemming or Scott Robinson, who are still side-lined through injury.

Similarly, St Johnstone will also be missing key players, as Callum Booth and Tony Gallacher continue their recoveries from injury.

A thigh problem might mean Cameron MacPherson sits the fixture out, but there is hope the midfielder could make a return.

There will be no such return for either David Wotherspoon or Chris Kane who are both likely to be out until late September at the earliest.

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:

Walker; Wright, Stokes, Mayo; Alebiosu, Armstrong, Power, Polworth; Shaw, Cameron, Chrisene

St Johnstone possible starting lineup:

Matthews; McGowan, Mitchell, Considine; Wright, Hallberg, Carey, Montgomery; Clark, May, Murphy

We say: Kilmarnock 1-2 St Johnstone

A troubling start to the campaign for both clubs, St Johnstone will be keen to maintain their strong record against Kilmarnock this weekend.

Previews by email