Ross County will attempt to get out of the Scottish Premiership relegation zone when they host Kilmarnock on Saturday.

The visitors, meanwhile, could push into the top four with three points this weekend, but they will simply be focusing on getting back to winning ways after losing their previous outing.

Match preview

After a tough start to the season, the winds of change ran through Ross County this week as Malky Mackay was replaced by Derek Adams, who will be aiming to commence his time in charge with three points.

Following nine games without a win in all competitions a victory would be a welcomed result for the Staggies fans, and something that the club needs in terms of the league table.

Adams will be under immediate pressure in the hot seat as Ross County currently sit in the relegation zone, and it is only goal difference keeping them from the foot of the table.

One issue the experienced manager will be looking into is the lack of goals his team has scored in home fixtures this season, finding the back of the net just three times in five matches.

It has been a problem area for the Staggies so far, which is something that Adams will be looking to change with immediate effect this weekend.

The visitors will also be trying to get back to winning ways this weekend after suffering a defeat against Hibernian during their most recent outing.

Josh Campbell's goal was enough on the day to grant the Hibees a 1-0 win, which marked Killie's third defeat in six games.

While their previous two defeats were followed up by victories, Kilmarnock need to find some more consistency in their results if they wish to crack the top four this season.

At the moment, they sit one point away from that with two teams ahead of them, opening up the possibility of climbing into the top four depending on other results this weekend.

However, Kilmarnock are one of only two teams in the Scottish Premiership to have not won an away match this season, which does place some pressure on the team this Saturday.

Team News

It could be a new-look starting XI this weekend for Ross County considering they have a new man in charge, and it remains to be seen what formation and players Adams will prefer to use.

James Brown will be available to Adams following his suspension, while Josh Reid is also expected to be back soon after he has returned to training following his injury.

Despite that, the Staggies do still have a long list of injuries as Ben Paton, Ross Callachan, Josh Sims and Jay Henderson are all unavailable.

The visitors could be boosted by the returns of Kyle Magennis and Corrie Ndaba who were both expected to be in contention following the latest international break.

Ross County possible starting lineup:
Laidlow; Nightingale, Baldwin, Leak; Purrington, Allardice, Turner, Randall, Dhanda; Murray, White

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
Dennis; Mayo, Wright, Findlay; Armstrong, Watson, Lyons, Polworth, Kennedy; Watkins, Vassell

We say: Ross County 2-1 Kilmarnock

Kilmarnock will head into this match as the favorites simply due to the league position, but that might not translate onto the pitch this weekend.

Ross County will have a new manager bounce for this game, and the arrival of Adams in the dugout could be enough to give them the slight edge.


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