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

Looking to distance themselves further from the bottom of the Scottish Premiership standings, Ross County will welcome St Mirren to the Global Energy Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Staggies came out on the winning side of a five-goal thriller with Livingston on the weekend, whilst the Buddies were victorious over St Johnstone last time out.

Match preview

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Following a wretched 10-game winless run in the Scottish Premiership which stretched all the way back to the beginning of December, Ross County finally returned to winning ways by beating basement dwellers Livingston on Saturday afternoon, although the Staggies made hard work of the contest.

A sensational first-half brace from Eamonn Brophy had Derek Adams's men two goals to the good after just 27 minutes, but the visitors at Global Energy Stadium levelled the scores with Bruce Anderson netting a double of his own, before substitute Josh Sims popped up with a 92nd-minute winner to send the home crowd into raptures.

After a much-needed maximum last time out, Adams's men have moved onto 22 points from 26 Scottish Premiership standings, with Tuesday night presenting the opportunity for Ross County to leapfrog 10th-placed St Johnstone with maximum points, and the chance to close the 10-point gap to sixth.

With 14 of their 22 top-flight points arriving at the Global Energy Stadium this season, the Staggies will be happy to be playing in front of their home faithful once again on Tuesday night, having endured three-straight away defeats prior to Saturday's conquering of Livingston.

Looking to fire Ross County towards safety at the business end of the campaign, Simon Murray is currently leading his side's Golden Boot race with seven goals from 26 Premiership matches, meaning that the 31-year-old has already surpassed his highest-scoring term in the top flight.

After becoming only the third Premiership outfit to be defeated by bottom side Livingston this season, St Mirren responded in confident fashion at the SMISA Stadium on Saturday afternoon, beating St Johnstone in order to maintain the Buddies' healthy buffer over the bottom half of the table.

An unfortunate own goal from Saints goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov handed the hosts the lead going into the half-time break, with Mikael Mandron's sixth goal of the league campaign doubling St Mirren's advantage after an hour, ultimately putting the contest beyond the visitors.

Steve Robinson's men are on course to improve last season's final standing of sixth, with the Buddies currently fifth in the top-flight table, six points ahead of Dundee in sixth and eight better off when compared to seventh-placed Hibernian, who captured some notable talent from Sunderland and Bournemouth during the January transfer window.

St Mirren have fared poorly at the Global Energy Stadium in recent times, losing their last three matches at the home of Ross County, with a late Jordan White strike back in November handing the Staggies a narrow home success over Robinson's side.

Team News

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Ross County remain without the services of Scott Allardice, who suffered a knee injury at the end of January and could be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.

The Staggies will also be unable to call on the talents of Will Nightingale, with the 28-year-old out until April due to a hamstring issue.

Dylan Smith's development in the County side has been affected by injury problems this season, with the youngster currently out due to an ankle issue.

St Mirren are short of options on the right flank because of Connor McMenamin's absence - the former Linfield youngster is recovering from a knee injury.

The Buddies' first-choice right-back Ryan Strain has been sidelined with a groin issue since late November, limiting him to just 11 Premiership appearances so far this campaign.

Ross County possible starting lineup: Wickens; Ayina, Leak, Efete; Jenks, Loturi, Sheaf, Reid; Brophy, Murray, White

St Mirren possible starting lineup: Hemming; Bolton, Gogic, Fraser; Bwomono, Kwon, Boyd-Munce, Tanser; Jamieson, Kiltie, Mandron

We say: Ross County 0-1 St Mirren

Ross County secured their maiden victory of the calendar year on the weekend, but it would be a real shock if the Staggies made it back-to-back successes on Tuesday night.

St Mirren have played well in their last two matches despite only collecting three points, and we think that the Buddies will be celebrating an away victory at Global Energy Stadium.

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