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

Ross County welcome Kilmarnock to the Highlands on Saturday for a Scottish Premiership relegation battle that both teams will be desperate to win.

Killie ended an eight-game losing run with a draw in midweek, while the Staggies were beaten in Paisley by St Mirren.

Match preview

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Ross County are in 10th place in the league table currently, a place and a point ahead of Killie with a game in hand.

Consistency remains something of an issue for John Hughes's side, who have beaten Aberdeen and Celtic since the turn of the year.

Last weekend's 1-0 defeat away at St Mirren followed on from a 1-0 win at Celtic Park, a result that ended Neil Lennon's reign as manager of the Bhoys.

The defeat came as the result of an arguably dubious penalty call that prompted Hughes to call for full-time referees in the Scottish Premiership.

If the Staggies are to successfully stave off relegation they can ill afford to be on the wrong end of any more marginal decisions.

Kilmarnock are a place above bottom side Hamilton Academical in the league table on goal difference, but the Accies have a game in hand on the Ayrshire side.

Manager Tommy Wright, who took over at the club earlier in February, finally took his first point as Killie boss on Wednesday when his side drew 1-1 at home to Dundee United.

The point came courtesy of a first senior goal from Arsenal loanee Zech Medley, with the 20-year-old defender pleased to make a contribution up front, even though he was disappointed with the way that Killie had conceded from a counter-attack earlier in the game.

Wright was pleased with the resilience that his team showed against Hamilton, but will want to get his first win as manager on the board sooner rather than later.

Ross County Scottish Premiership form: LLWLWL

Kilmarnock Scottish Premiership form: LLLLLD

Team News

Iain Vigurs is set to return to action for the Staggies after suspension for a recent sending-off, although he is carrying an ankle injury, according to his manager.

Connor Randall's back injury looks set to keep him out for the rest of the season. Tom Grivosti is also out for the remainder of the campaign with a hamstring issue.

Callum Morris is also unavailable after undergoing a scan on a hamstring injury sustained against Celtic.

For Killie, Tommy Wright will need to check the fitness of Clevid Dikamona before naming his side this weekend, with the player expected to recover from a hamstring injury soon.

The Ayrshire side have no other injury concerns ahead of the trip to Dingwall.

Ross County possible starting lineup:
Laidlaw; Naismith, Watson, Hjelde, Tremarco; Spittal, Kelly, Lakin, Gardyne; Andreu; White

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
Doyle; Millen, Broadfoot, Medley, Haunstrup; McKenzie, Power, Dicker, Pinnock; Kiltie, Lafferty

We say: Ross County 1-1 Kilmarnock

It looks likely that these two sides will play out a hard-fought draw in the Highlands on Saturday.

A point will probably suit the visitors more than the home side, but it is likely to do neither of them many favours in the relegation battle.