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

Kilmarnock will be aiming to extend their current three-match unbeaten run when they play host to St Johnstone on Saturday.

The visitors sit just two points above the Scottish Premiership relegation zone at the moment and will be under pressure to pick up a result.

Match preview

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Kilmarnock have been stringing together an impressive run of form across the busy winter period lately, with a win over Aberdeen being followed by a huge victory against Celtic.

Killie were the first team to defeat the Hoops in the league this season, and while they were unable to follow that up with a third consecutive victory, this past weekend, they were not beaten either.

Kilmarnock were held to a goalless draw against Livingston, which is a result that will no doubt have frustrated Derek McInnes because the Lions are bottom of the table.

Despite that, his team did continue to showcase great defensive quality which has been a core trait for them throughout the entire campaign.

Only the top three teams in the Scottish Premiership have conceded fewer goals than Kilmarnock this season, which has been one of their major strengths.

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That could prove to be a sticking point for the visitors, though, considering that only Livingston has scored less than them at this stage in the campaign.

St Johnstone have managed just 12 goals across 18 fixtures, which is one of the main reasons the team has struggled to secure points.

The Saints are sat just two points above the relegation zone right now, which adds plenty of pressure onto each fixture until a larger gap is created.

Craig Levein's men were unable to find the back of the net in midweek when they were comfortably defeated 2-0 by Rangers, which brought an end to their own three-match run without a loss.

However, St Johnstone should take confidence from the fact they beat their opponents 2-1 earlier this season when a Nicky Clark brace in the first 10 minutes proved to be too much.

Team News

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Kyle Magennis was able to feature against Livingston, but his fitness continues to be a problem as he had to be substituted off despite coming on from the bench in the first place.

It is unlikely he will be risked again, but the performances of Kyle Vassell have been impressive enough for Killie not to be too concerned.

St Johnstone will be without Diallang Jaiyesimi this weekend as he was sent off during their previous outing, which will force a change to who leads the attack on Saturday.

Chris Kane could benefit from that situation, and he will likely be brought in as the lone striker.

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:

Dennis; Mayo, Deas, Findlay, Ndaba; Donnelly, Lyons; Armstrong, Polworth, Kennedy; Vassell

St Johnstone possible starting lineup:

Mitov; McGowan, Gordon, Robinson; Franczak, Smith, Phillips; Gallacher; Kucheryavyi; Carey, Jaiyesimi

We say: Kilmarnock 2-0 St Johnstone

Kilmarnock are in a brilliant run of form at the moment, and that is something that should continue this weekend against a team near the bottom of the division.

The defensive qualities of the hosts is likely going to be too much for St Johnstone to crack, which will likely be the critical aspect of this game.

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