- Ross County form: Ross County have failed to win any of their last 5 matches (L4, D1).
- Ayr United form: Ayr United have won one, drawn one and lost three of their last 5 matches (W1, D1, L3).
Stags look to steady the ship
Stags boss Stuart Kettlewell returned to Ross County in December 2025 and has attempted to get his new squad playing in a compact, pragmatic style which is built around a deep, well-drilled low block, hoping to break quickly through vertical transitions and set pieces. The Staggies have failed to find a win in their last 5 Championship 2025/2026 matches and have won just 4 of their 16 home matches this season (D3, L9).
Kettlewell has attempted to stabilise the ship with some solid defensive displays, but Ross County are still conceding far too many goals and have averaged just 1.12 goals per game at home in the league this season. Ronan Hale has provided a consistent goal threat for the club this term, with 7 goals in 19 Championship 2025/2026 appearances, while Kieran Phillips has slotted in 2 of County’s last 3 goals and will be looking to continue his hot streak this weekend.
Ayr United aiming to keep afloat
Recent form
Ayr United have had a similar run of late, winning just 1 of their last 5 Championship 2025/2026 fixtures (W1, D1, L3), however, the Honest Men come into this Saturday’s clash off the back of a 1-0 win over Arbroath at Somerset Park.
Managerial approach
John Rankin has been appointed as interim manager for this run-in, and his pragmatic, simplified approach appears to be doing little to change the style of football Scott Brown’s men like to play - fast, high-tempo football where the ball is pressed to force turnovers, allowing them to transition quickly into an attack.
Away form and key player
The Honest Men have been relatively solid on the road in the Championship 2025/2026 this term, with 4 wins, 8 draws and 4 losses from 16 away fixtures and have scored 19 goals. Jamie Murphy has carried them through a tough run of fixtures, with the veteran striker scoring both of Ayr United’s goals in their last five games.
Side with the Staggies
Ayr United sit 6th in the Championship 2025/2026 with 39 points from their 33 matches, while Ross County are 10th with just 28 points from the same number of fixtures. Although the odds favor the visitors, I’m going to side with Rankin and his squad to edge out a result here.
- I think the clash between Ayr’s high-energy pressing game and County’s compact, deep block should be an entertaining one, with a few goals at both ends likely.
- Backing Ayr United to win and over 2.5 match goals, with both teams to score, looks a solid play.
