Club 08/04/2013
Dumbarton v Raith Rovers: Match Preview
Raith Rovers head to the Bet Butler Stadium to take on Dumbarton on Tuesday for the second time in as many weeks, as they look for the 3 points that would all but guarantee their place in next seasons First Division.
Raith’s impressive performances in their last two home matches against title chasers Morton and Partick Thistle have seen them move 9 points clear of second bottom Cowdenbeath, who will be hoping that their Fife rivals can do them a favour against eighth placed Dumbarton.
The Sons’ are 4 points clear of the Blue Brazil in the battle to avoid the relegation play-off spot, but in contrast to the Rovers most recent form, Dumbarton have lost their last two matches, conceding two late goals in a 2-1 reverse to Hamilton, while an injury depleted side were beaten 3-0 at home by Livingston on Saturday.
Match Details:
Raith fans should enter the ground via the East (Home) end of the stadium and will then be shown to a designated are of the away stand.
Adults – £15 Concessions – £8 Parent & Child – £20
Kick off in at 7.30pm
Team News:
Raith Rovers are likely to be without striker Pat Clarke.
Dumbarton have a number of injury worries and are likely to be missing Paul McGinn and midfielder’s Garry Fleming and Nick Phinn. Defender Scott Smyth faces a late fitness test, while goalkeeper Jamie Ewings may return after suffering from a virus.
Stats:
Both teams can barely be split going into the match. Raith are sitting 6th and Dumbarton 7th in the First Division form table with both teams picking up 10 points from their last 8 games.
Dumbarton showed their recuperation skills the last time the two sides met, rallying from the blow of going 2 goals down early on to win by 4 goals to 2. Its become something of a recurring theme for Ian Murray’s side who have now taken 15 points from losing positions this term, the joint best record in the division along with Morton.
Raith Rovers though go into the match with a good record against their opponents. Raith have won six out of the previous ten encounters, with Dumbarton coming out on top twice.
Dumbarton will be hoping to get their second consecutive win over Raith Rovers for the first time since 1983/84 when The Sons’ won all 3 encounters in the First Division. It was a season that ended with Raith being relegated to the Second Division while Dumbarton finished second and were promoted to the Premier League.
Overall Head-to-Head record at Dumbarton:
Raith wins: 16
Dumbarton wins: 26
Draws: 7
Raith goals: 71
Dumbarton goals: 108
Match Odds:
Dumbarton: 11/8
Raith Rovers: 11/8
Draw: 5/2