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

Kilmarnock entertain St Mirren on Saturday afternoon after the hosts ended a run of five straight defeats last time out.

Building on that result will be a tough ask for Killie, though, as they face a St Mirren side currently enjoying a good run of form.

Match preview

A 2-0 win over 10-man Motherwell in midweek saw Alex Dyer's side pick up their first three points since late November.

It was also the first time the Ayrshire outfit had scored more than one goal in a match since that victory over Ross County last month.

The return to goalscoring form in recent weeks will please the Rugby Park faithful and restore belief that Dyer's men have enough to beat the drop after moving four points clear of the relegation playoff place.

Saturday's encounter will pit the best attack against the best defence in the bottom half of the Scottish Premiership.

Killie have bagged 21 goals so far, while St Mirren have conceded the same figure meaning this clash should be an intriguing affair.

Wednesday's 2-0 loss to league leaders Rangers put an end to Jim Goodwin's side's three-game winning streak.

Just two losses in their last 14 games in all competitions have seen the Buddies rise to seventh in the league table and book a place in the League Cup semi-finals.

While Goodwin's charges are adept at keeping it tight at the back, they often struggle to put the ball in the back of the net.

Fourteen goals scored in their 18 top flight fixtures means St Mirren have the second-worst goalscoring record in the division.

Finding a balance between defence and attack will be crucial to the Paisley outfits chances over the weekend.

Kilmarnock Scottish Premiership form: LLLLLW

St Mirren Scottish Premiership form: DWWLWL St Mirren form (all competitions): WWWLWL

Team News

Kilmarnock's Gary Dicker is unavailable due to a knock, while Zeno Rossi is also struggling with a knee problem. The pair are not far away from returning to action but are expected to remain on the sidelines until the new year.

Long-term absentee Ross Millen is keeping them company on the treatment table with the full-back nursing his own knee injury.

Dyer is unlikely to make any changes from the impressive win over Motherwell, meaning Danny Whitehall will start up-front again after bagging his first goal of the season against the Well.

Goodwin has no injury concerns coming into this one, with his main decision being who leads the line in attack. Jonathan Obika is without a goal in his last three outings, while Kristian Dennis scored in the recent win over Ross County.

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup: Rogers; McGowan, Broadfoot, Findlay, Waters; Power, Tshibola; McKenzie, Kiltie, Pinnock; Whitehall

St Mirren possible starting lineup: Alnwick; Fraser, Shaughnessy, McCarthy, Tait; McAllister, Erhahon, Doyle-Hayes, McGrath, Mason; Dennis

We say: Kilmarnock 1-2 St Mirren

Although Kilmarnock will be confident coming into this one after ending their poor run of form last time out, St Mirren have been impressive for a while now, and they will want to get back to winning ways themselves.

Their tight defence should be enough to see them over the line at Rugby Park, but it will be a closely fought contest.

Top betting tip

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