St Johnstonevs.Kilmarnock

The hosts are attempting to push away from the relegation zone to try and secure survival in the top flight, while the visitors are aiming to break into the top three.

Match preview

St Johnstone picked up a crucial victory last weekend against Hibernian, with Tony Gallacher scoring an 81st-minute winner to help push his team further away from the relegation zone.

The Saints currently sit just one place above Ross County, but with only four points between them, there is no room for error right now, which places plenty of pressure on each outing.

While Craig Levein's men do not need to worry about trying to scramble for a place in the top half before the division splits, there is just as much importance on all of their matches right now.

The Saints have been slightly stronger at home throughout this season, which should provide them with some confidence heading into this weekend, and the fact they have had several close games against Kilmarnock this season proves they are capable of causing problems.

St Johnstone and Killie have one victory against each other in this campaign, but another win for the hosts could see them go level with Aberdeen in ninth place.

The visitors might not have the threat of relegation looming over them, but they need the points just as much for their personal goals of attempting to finish in third place.

While the two Old Firm clubs are certainly out of reach at this stage, there is no doubt that Killie will still have the belief that they can catch Hearts with the remaining games.

With 11 points between the two teams, there is very little room for error as far as Kilmarnock are concerned, especially since others are breathing down their necks for the fourth place that they currently occupy.

Kyle Vassell's goal was enough to dispatch Ross County during Killie's most recent outing, and that extended their current unbeaten run in the league to four games.

Extending that on Saturday could be crucial in their bid to break into the top three, but only two of Kilmarnock's 12 wins have come in away matches this season, which is a cause for concern.

St Johnstone Scottish Premiership form:

L

W

D

L

L

W

Kilmarnock Scottish Premiership form:

W

L

D

W

D

W

Kilmarnock form (all competitions):

L

D

L

W

D

W

Team News

Liam Gordon missed out on St Johnstone's most recent outing due to injury, and that should lead to Andy Considine retaining his place in the starting XI this time out.

Sven Sprangler is another player who has been unavailable lately for the Saints, and that is expected to continue this weekend as he is yet to fully recover from his injury issues.

Liam Donnelly was able to feature for Kilmarnock during their last outing despite being brought off in the previous game due to a fitness issue, and he should be kept in the team once again this time.

Vassell and Marley Watkins have eight goals between them in their previous five matches, and it is unlikely that the strike partnership will be altered here.

St Johnstone possible starting lineup:

Mitov; McGowan, Considine, Robinson; Keltjens, Kucheriavyi, Phillips, Smith, Gallacher; Sidibeh, Clark

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:

Dennis; Mayo, Wright, Findlay, Deas; Donnelly, Armstrong, Polworth, Kennedy; Watkins, Vassell

We say: St Johnstone 1-2 Kilmarnock

Both teams will be pushing to secure points for different reasons this weekend, but out of the two, it is Kilmarnock who are enjoying a much stronger season.

While Killie typically struggles away from home, they should have enough quality in this particular match to take three points.

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