- Form: St. Johnstone have won four and tied one of their last five Championship games
- Home form: Ayr United have lost one of their last three home games (W1, D1, L1)
- Away form: Saints have won ten of their 17 Championship away games this season, losing just twice
St. Johnstone look to dominate from the middle
Form and standings
St. Johnstone have won their last four consecutive games, including two away games, and are clear favourites to take the victory again when they travel to Somerset Park to face Ayr United on Friday. The visitors are bidding for promotion at the top of the Championship 2025-2026 table while the Honest Men, who have lost their last two away from home, are searching for consistency in seventh with 39 points from 35 games compared to St. Johnstone’s 74.
The Saints have lost just two of their 17 Championship road trips this season, winning ten, and come into this game after four straight victories, including a 4-0 home win over Airdrieonians and a 2-0 victory at Raith Rovers.
Tactics and midfield
Simo Valakari has done a superb job since taking over at St. Johnstone in October 2024, introducing a structured, passing style of play and getting his team to the top of the Championship in the process. He prefers to dominate games, but will happily sit back and hold on to a lead if needed. The midfield will dictate the tempo in this clash as the visitors like to control the ball and territory, pressing opponents when they have it, but then moving quickly when they win it back.
Direct Honest Men must get forward
Ayr United are more of a ‘transition-first’ side with a pragmatic approach to each game. John Rankin, who took over at the end of March 2026, appears to have steadied the ship after a succession of managers failed to do so, but the Honest Men have failed to win their last home game against Saints and have lost three of their last five (W1, D1, L3).
Rankin’s side are a little more direct, using the wings and getting forward on the break, especially when they are behind, as well as trying to get numbers forward on set plays. This is a contrast in styles between a side that will control the game and one that will look to counter-attack, which can lead to an open game, but St. Johnstone’s structure will set the pace.
Saints can claim another away win
But given St. Johnstone’s superior quality and road form, they look worthy favourites to come away with another three points. St. Johnstone’s odds of 1.72 are fair given they have lost only two of their 17 Championship trips this term and are on a roll.
But the home team has also been scoring and conceding of late, so I will take both teams to score at 1.77 while over 2.5 goals at 1.85 should also come in.
- Joshua McPake is the key man for St. Johnstone, who have scored 29 times in their 17 away Championship games this term, and his pace and power up front make him a threat.
- McPake has scored 16 goals in 33 Championship appearances and can score any time.
- Jamie Murphy, with seven goals in 23 appearances, is Ayr United’s best finisher and two of his goals have come in their last four.
