Preview: Hamilton Academical vs. Airdrieonians - prediction, team news, lineups

Hamilton Academical and Airdrieonians square off in the second leg of their Scottish Championship playoff final on Saturday evening.

The visitors, who compete in League One, hold a 1-0 advantage from the opening fixture which was played earlier this week.

Match preview

After coming from three goals adrift to beat Alloa Athletic in the playoff semi-finals, the momentum was with Hamilton ahead of the first meeting with Airdrieonians.

However, it was the third-tier side that prevailed, a second-half goal from Callum Smith proving to be the difference on Wednesday night.

Hamilton have now posted just one win in their last nine outings, even if conceding just twice in their last three away outings can be regarded as a positive.

At New Douglas Park, it is a different story with two strikes being conceded in each of their most recent three home fixtures, something which they can ill-afford to repeat on Saturday.

John Rankin's side have also gone four contests without scoring against opponents who have a full allocation of players, their five-goal haul versus Alloa occurring after an early red card.

From the perspective of Airdrieonians, they are now on a four-match winning streak, scoring 12 goals in the process and keeping clean sheets in their last two games.

Before the successive 1-0 triumphs over Falkirk and Hamilton, Rhys McCabe's side had netted 14 times and conceded nine times across a five-match period.

Such a record highlights the inconsistency of this side, yet McCabe will take confidence from Airdrieonians winning nine of their most recent 12 encounters.

Facing higher-league opponents will be a test for the Diamonds, yet they have not lost on away territory since the beginning of March.

Team News

With Craig Watson being sent off in the closing minutes on Wednesday, Airdrieonians face a re-jig in defence.

Cammy Ballantyne could switch to right-back and Euan Devenny may come into the team on the opposite flank, allowing Aaron Taylor-Sinclair to stay at centre-back.

Charlie Telfer is also pushing to take the spot of Justin Devenney in the middle of the pitch.

Although Dario Zanatta was withdrawn at half time of the first leg, the Hamilton forward is expected to retain his place in the side.

Matthew Shiels and Lewis Spence are in contention for recalls at left-back and in central midfield.

Hamilton Academical possible starting lineup:

J. Smith; Tumilty, McGowan, O'Reilly, Mimnaugh; L. Smith, De Bolle, Martin, C. Smith; Winter, Zanatta

Airdrieonians possible starting lineup:

Rae; Ballantyne, Fordyce, Taylor-Sinclair, Devenny; Frizzell, McCabe, Devenny; McGill, Gallagher, C. Smith

We say: Hamilton Academical 1-1 Airdrieonians (Airdrieonians to win 2-1 on aggregate)

With home advantage in their favour, Hamilton will expect to turn things around against their lower-tier opponents. However, the visitors have something to defend, and we are backing Airdrieonians to do what is necessary to earn promotion to the Scottish Championship.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.