Seeking to pick up successive victories for the first time since August, Kilmarnock welcome St Mirren to Rugby Park in their first home game of 2023 on Monday.

The Saints, on the other hand, head into the new year on a run of five consecutive away games without a win and will be looking to end this poor record.

Match preview

Kilmarnock maintained their impressive home form as they secured a 2-1 victory over Aberdeen when the sides squared off last Wednesday.

Scott Robinson and Joe Wright scored in an 11-minute spell to put the hosts in a commanding first-half lead before Matthew Kennedy pulled one back in the first minute of stoppage time.

Having claimed a 1-0 victory over Hibernian on November 12, Derek McInnes's side have now won successive home games for the first time this season, while they are unbeaten in six of their last seven matches on home turf.

However, Killie have not found it easy away from home, where they are one of just two sides without a win this season and hold the division's worst record with just two points from 10 matches.

Kilmarnock have now picked up five wins, four draws and lost 10 of their 19 matches this season to collect 19 points and sit ninth in the league standings, five points off the top half of the table.

Next up for McInnes's men is the stern challenge of taking on an opposing side who are unbeaten in each of the last five meetings between the teams, stretching back to a 1-0 loss in September 2020.

Elsewhere, St Mirren were denied a second consecutive victory last Wednesday as they could only salvage a 1-1 draw against Livingston at the Almondvale Stadium.

In a game where Scott Pitman and Mark O'Harra both received their marching orders, Cristian Montano and Curtis Main scored for either side in the second half to force a share of the spoils.

Prior to that, the Saints ended their four-game winless run on Christmas Eve when they secured a 3-1 victory over 10-man Aberdeen courtesy of goals from O'Hara, Greg Kiltie and an own goal from Kelle Ross.

With 25 points from 19 games, Steve Robinson's men are currently fifth in the Scottish Premiership table, level on points with sixth-placed St Johnstone, albeit with two games in hand.

While St Mirren will be looking to kick off the new year on a high, they have struggled for results away from home, where they are currently on a five-game winless run, losing four and claiming one draw since August's 3-0 victory at Dundee United.

Team News

Kilmarnock will take to the pitch without the services of veteran midfielder Alan Power, who is currently suspended after picking up a straight red against Motherwell on December 23.

On the injury front, McInnes will be unable to call upon the Scottish duo of Innes Cameron and Calum Waters, who are both recuperating from hamstring injuries.

They are joined on the club's injury table by 20-year-old defender Jeriel Dorsett, who is set to sit out his fourth consecutive match after coming off injured against Hibernian in November.

Meanwhile, former Peterborough United man and club captain O'Hara will play no part for St Mirren as he serves a one-match ban for receiving his marching orders against Livingston on Wednesday.

In his absence, 25-year-old midfielder Greg Kiltie could be handed a starting role on Monday, potentially teaming up with Keanu Baccus and Ethan Erhahon at the centre of the park.

Veteran defender Richard Tait has missed the last five matches through a groin strain and the 33-year-old is out of contention for the journey to Rugby Park.

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
Walker; Mayo, Wright, Taylor; Armstrong, McKenzie, Donnelly, Polworth, Chrisene; Robinson, Doidge

St Mirren possible starting lineup:
Carson; Dunne, Fraser, Gallagher; Strain, Kiltie, Baccus, Erhahon, Tanser; Ayunga, Main

We say: Kilmarnock 2-1 St Mirren

Kilmarnock have been near impenetrable on home turf, where they have won four of their last five matches across all competitions. Robinson's side take on an inconsistent St Mirren side who have struggled for results on the road and we are backing them to come away with their third home win on the spin.

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