- The home side are in good form, keeping three clean sheets in their last five (all comps) and conceding just one goal in this sequence.
- Their only recent defeat came against St Johnstone, as they went on to defeat Arbroath in the play-off quarter-final.
- Partick Thistle are unbeaten in their last five Championship fixtures, with four draws and a win.
Play-off clash has it all
Premiership promotion is just one step closer for the winner of this relegation-promotion play-off semi-final, while the loser will remain in the second tier for another season. The occasion is sure to be an exciting one for the fans of Dunfermline and Partick Thistle, who will take to the pitch at East End Park in a feisty fixture.
Neil Lennon has been instrumental in shaping Dunfermline’s season with his compact, pragmatic style of play. The Pars set up with three at the back, two disciplined wing-backs and a number of disciplined and industrious midfielders. Lennon’s men will sit deep and wait for transition opportunities, with their counter-attacking play often deadly when executed properly.
Andrew Tod is the focal point of Lennon’s system and provides a consistent goal threat from his central forward position, with the experienced attacker providing a platform from which to build. Lennon’s side are in fine form, keeping clean sheets in three of their last five and conceding just once in that sequence. Their only defeat during that period came against Premiership side St Johnstone and they overcame Arbroath in their play-off quarter-final by a 1 - 0 aggregate. Dunfermline are clearly a team to be reckoned with.
Pars are a well-disciplined unit
Mark Wilson has overseen a more possession-based style of football at Partick this season, with the Thistle playing a 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-4-1 system, in which they control the tempo with a double-pivot in midfield and dictate the play. The visitors are structured in the way they play and press the opposition, and will attempt to win the ball back as high up the pitch as possible.
Logan Chalmers is the creative force and top scorer of this team, providing goals and assists on a regular basis throughout the campaign. Chalmers will be a threat on Tuesday, while Tony Watt provides experience, physicality and an ability to hold up the ball in transition. He is a big-game player and could be decisive at some stage in this tie.
Odds-on favourite has the edge
Partick are the slight favourites for this first leg at 157/100, while Dunfermline are priced at 37/20 and the draw at 11/5. The oddsmakers have it right, and we’re backing the away side to make a good start to this clash with a 1-0 win.
The Thistle are a solid side that are difficult to break down, and they have held firm in close games over the last few weeks, albeit struggling to turn the screw and turn draws into wins. Dunfermline are a compact, well-disciplined side that are great at set-pieces and can nick a goal, while home advantage will see the Pars edge a close game.
Cool and showery weather is forecast for this fixture, which could favour the hosts in the first half. Both teams to score is priced at 3/4 for what should be a tight contest, with chances at both ends.
