St Mirren vs Ayr United Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Previews

St Mirren were hoping to build on their mid-table finish last season and challenge for promotion this term, but it’s not gone to plan at all so far. Their 1-0 defeat at home to Dumbarton last weekend made it four defeats on the trot in all competitions and leaves them on four points from their opening 12 league matches.

This unsurprisingly puts them rock bottom of the table and already five points adrift of Dunfermline above them, but their one saving grace so far has been the Scottish Challenge Cup.

They have knocked out Albion Rovers and Hibernian in the competition so far, and along with their three League Cup wins at the start of the season these make up their only victories in any competition all season.

Ayr United suffered a somewhat expected loss last weekend when they faced up to promotion hopefuls Hibernian, making it back to back losses after their 2-1 defeat at Greenock Morton. They have still won three of their last five in all competitions though, including a 1-0 extra time victory over Falkirk to make it to this stage of the competition.

Something which could prove crucial is the fact that St Mirren have played both of their Challenge Cup fixtures away from home up until now. At home they have lost four and drawn two of their last six, not winning since a League Cup group game at the end of July.

Ayr United have managed to beat Hibernian and Dumbarton in their last four away days as well, so they will feel confident of their chances on Sunday. The hosts have failed to score in three of their last five at home as well.

Ayr United, on the other hand, have scored in four of their six away days since the start of the league season. 20 year old striker Alan Forest has been the main contributor in goalscoring terms, with  one in the Challenge Cup and a further four in the league. Backing him to find the net against a St Mirren side who have conceded nine in their last five at home could be a good option.

Considering St Mirren’s awful form at the moment I think odds of 6/4 for an Ayr United Win are very good value, and I’m going for a 2-0 correct score prediction at 14/1 as well.