Match Preview: Airdrieonians (Away)

Airdrieonians  V  Raith Rovers  The Penny Cars Stadium, Airdrie Saturday 12th January 2019  Kick off: 3.00pm

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Match Preview:

After last week’s five-goal salvo against Stenhousemuir at Stark’s Park, Rovers are on their travels for the first time this year, as they head to the Penny Cars Stadium to face Ian Murray’s reinvigorated Airdrie.

The Diamonds had been plagued by inconsistency this term, both before and after the former Hibs and Norwich City player had been appointed manager, but three successive league wins have taken them to within a point of Forfar Athletic who sit fourth in the table.

The latest of their trio of victories was their most impressive, travelling to Methil and coming back with all three points, thanks to goals from Kyle Wilkie and Leighton McIntosh in a 2-1 win.

Both players have been in good form this season, with Wilkie supplying five goals from midfield, while McIntosh has scored four in his last five appearances, and he seems to have struck up an effective partnership with Darryl Duffy, with the veteran forward Airdrie’s top scorer with 10 goals.

It’s not just the goals scored column where Airdrie are impressing though they’re also keeping them out at the other end, with only Arbroath conceding fewer in the third tier.

With Murray able to call upon the services of Jonathon Page, Sean Crighton and Scott Robertson amongst others for his defensive berths, the Airdrie boss has a wealth of experience at the back, and with just one goal conceded in their three recent victories, Rovers might find it a little trickier to pierce their defence than the last time they visited the stadium.

That was back in August, when a Liam Buchanan hat-trick and a goal from Kevin Nisbet saw Rovers come back from 3-1 down to win 4-3 in a quite astonishing closing few minutes.

Things were slightly more straightforward last month when the sides met at Stark’s Park, when a goal apiece from Nisbet and Buchanan saw Rovers win 2-0.

Rovers are actually unbeaten in 12 games against Airdrie, winning nine and drawing three in that time.

Saturday’s match referee will be David Munro.

Head-To-Head League Record At Airdrie:

Airdrie Wins: 3 | Raith Rovers Wins: 5 | Draws: 5

Airdrie Goals: 18

Raith Rovers Goals: 16

Current Form:

Airdrie: L-D-L-W-W-W | Raith Rovers: W-L-W-W-L-W

Top Goal Scorers:

Airdrie: Darryl Duffy 10 | Leighton McIntosh 8 | Joao Victoria 8

Raith Rovers: Kevin Nisbet 20 | Liam Buchanan 9 | Lewis Vaughan 6

Match Odds:

Airdrie: 9/5 | Raith Rovers: 13/10 | Draw: 27/10

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