Preview: Queen's Park vs. Partick Thistle - prediction, team news, lineups

The two sides played out a seven-goal thriller in the first leg on Tuesday evening, with Partick managing to record a 4-3 victory and gain an advantage courtesy of a 97th-minute goal from Brian Graham.

Match preview

Queen's Park finished third in this season's Scottish Championship, picking up 58 points from their 36 matches, only behind second-placed Ayr United on goal difference.

The Spiders are bidding to return to the top flight of Scottish football for the first time since 1983, and it would be some achievement considering their recent struggles in the lower divisions.

Owen Coyle's side were on the verge of securing what would have been a good result against Partick in Glasgow on Tuesday, but the 97th-minute winner from Graham has given the visitors an advantage in the tie.

Malachi Boateng and Dom Thomas had actually both scored late themselves to make it 3-3 heading towards the final moments, and the late winner for the hosts was a real blow for Queen's Park.

Partick, meanwhile, finished fourth in this season's Scottish Championship, picking up 57 points from their 36 matches, which left them a point behind Queen's Park.

Thistle were last present in the Scottish Premiership in 2017-18, but they were actually relegated to League One for the 2020-21 campaign before returning to the Championship at the first time of asking.

Kris Doolan's side would take on Ayr United in the semi-finals of the playoffs over two legs if they prove to be successful in navigating their way past Queen's Park in the final eight.

Partick recorded a 4-0 victory in their home league game against Queen's Park earlier this season, but they suffered a 2-0 loss in the reverse match, which is a result that would send the hosts through.

Queen's Park Scottish Premiership Playoffs form:

L

Queen's Park form (all competitions):

L

W

D

L

L

L

Partick Thistle Scottish Premiership Playoffs form:

W

Partick Thistle form (all competitions):

W

D

D

W

D

W

Team News

Queen's Park head coach Coyle will need to assess the fitness of his players following the first leg before making a final decision on his team selection for this match.

Grant Savoury is unlikely to be available, having been replaced in the latter stages of the first half on Tuesday, with Patrick Jarrett expected to be given the nod in the XI.

Thomas scored twice for Queen's Park in the first leg during a strong performance, and the 27-year-old will again feature in an attacking area in this game.

Partick, meanwhile, will be missing Stuart Bannigan due to the injury that he picked up in the first leg.

Aidan Fitzpatrick replaced Bannigan off the bench on Tuesday and found the back of the net during an impressive performance, so he should now come in for a start on Friday.

Graham will again lead the line for the visitors, with the 35-year-old finding the back of the net on 13 occasions in the league during an impressive campaign.

Queen's Park possible starting lineup:

Ferrie; Davidson, Bannon, Fox, Oakley; Thomson, Boateng; Thomas, Longridge, Jarrett; Shields

Partick Thistle possible starting lineup:

Mitchell; McMillan, Muirhead, Brownlie, Holt; Docherty, Fitzpatrick; Lawless, Turner, Tiffoney; Graham

We say: Queen's Park 2-2 Partick Thistle

This is such a difficult tie to call, and we are expecting more goals on Friday evening. The late advantage from the first leg could be crucial for Partick, though, as we are backing a 2-2 draw on the night, which would send Partick into the semi-finals courtesy of a 6-5 aggregate success.

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