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

Looking to climb into the top half before the Scottish Premiership splits, Ross County will travel to take on bottom-of-the-table St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday.

The Saints will hope to avoid a third consecutive defeat in midweek, but the Staggies will know that anything less than three points against the relegation favourites would be a failure.

Match preview

Simo Valakari's St Johnstone went on an anomalous four-game winning streak between mid-January and mid-February, but have since crashed down to earth with back-to-back losses.

Last time out, the Saints followed up their 3-1 defeat against Kilmarnock by losing 2-1 on their own turf against Hearts, a match in which they conceded a disappointing second just minutes after Adama Sidibeh netted an equaliser.

That loss left Wednesday's hosts rooted to the foot of the table on 21 points, six behind Dundee, but given that they have won three of their last four games across all competitions at McDiarmid Park, they may feel capable of walking away with at least one point this week.

Adding to this feeling will be the fact that St Johnstone beat their visitors 3-0 at home in their most recent clash back in October, and while Valakari was watching his side from the stands that day, he will be hoping that Sidibeh can be on the scoresheet this time around as well.

Meanwhile, Don Cowie's Ross County are just two points behind sixth-placed St Mirren ahead of their trip to the league's bottom club, and with six games to play until the division splits, they will see this as a must-win match.

On Saturday, the Staggies came from behind to register their first home win since November when goals from Kieran Phillips, Akil Wright and birthday-boy Noah Chilvers secured a 3-1 victory over second-from-bottom Dundee.

In the game prior, Wednesday's visitors made it four wins from five away matches when they beat Motherwell 3-0 on the road, and such a strong travelling record will give County confidence that they can seize all three points in midweek.

It is also notable that Cowie's side have kept three clean sheets in their five most recent away games, conceding just one goal outside of their thrashing at the hands of Rangers earlier this month.

If Ross County take maximum points against St Johnstone, then they could leapfrog both Hearts and St Mirren should results elsewhere prove favourable, though any victory will be built on their defensive solidity given that they have scored the joint-fewest goals in the division along with their hosts.

St Johnstone Scottish Premiership form:

St Johnstone form (all competitions):

Ross County Scottish Premiership form:

Ross County form (all competitions):

Team News

St Johnstone were given a fright last time out when striker Adama Sidibeh had to be taken off late on, but the goalscorer should be available to start in midweek.

On the other hand, fellow striker Uche Ikpeazu, who has not featured since signing for the club last year, is nearing a return to action but will not be ready to play on Wednesday.

As for Ross County, defenders Michee Efete and Ryan Leak will both be absent for the away side, so expect Jonathan Tomkinson, Kacper Lopata and Elijah Campbell to line up in a back three in front of goalkeeper Jordan Amissah.

However, striker Alex Samuel is likely to miss the game having not made a matchday squad since the Staggies' 3-1 defeat against Hibernian.

In his place, Kieran Phillips, who registered a goal and assist against Dundee, should start up top in a partnership with Ronan Hale.

St Johnstone possible starting lineup: Fisher; Balodis, Mikulic, Douglas; Curtis, Sprangler, Watt, Wright; Carey, Svedberg; Sidibeh

Ross County possible starting lineup: Amissah; Tomkinson, Lopata, Campbell; Wright, Kenneh, Randall, Chilvers, Harmon; Phillips, Hale

We say: St Johnstone 0-1 Ross County

Given that no team have netted fewer than St Johnstone and Ross County in the Scottish Premiership this season, expect a low-scoring game on Wednesday.

That being said, the Staggies will see this match as a must-win if they are to make it into the top six before the league splits, so expect them to go all out for the three points.

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