- St. Johnstone are unbeaten in five league games, winning three and drawing two.
- Saints have won ten, drawn six and lost just once at home in the Championship 2025-2026.
- Raith Rovers have won just three of their 17 away league games, losing eight.
Saints can maintain their promotion push
St. Johnstone enter Friday’s fixture with Raith Rovers in good form and full of confidence after going unbeaten through their last five league fixtures. The Saints have won their last two, securing a 4-0 home win over Airdrieonians before a 4-2 away win at Arbroath.
Saints boss Simo Valakari has done an excellent job in creating a pragmatic and flexible structure that has made his side the most consistent performers in the Championship 2025-2026, with 68 points from 33 games leaving them clear at the top of the table.
Valakari’s game plan is simple - remain compact, stay organised and build patiently before hitting opponents with quick transitions. St. Johnstone are not the highest scoring side in the league and will not be the most attractive, but they get the job done.
Raith’s revival has been impressive
Dougie Imrie has also done a very good job at Raith Rovers in his short time at the club and has overseen a transition to a high-tempo, pressing style that has revitalised the team after a slow start to the campaign. Rovers are up to fifth in the Championship 2025-2026 standings with 42 points from 34 matches, but their inconsistent nature has always held them back.
Raith’s last three results have been a 3-2 home win over Greenock Morton, a 2-0 away victory at Queen’s Park and a 2-1 defeat away at Arbroath. Dylan Easton leads the line well with eight league goals from 34 games, but Innes Cameron has been in fine form recently, scoring five of Raith’s last 13.
Saints can edge a tense contest
This fixture is more about contrasting styles and league momentum than it is about local rivalry, but both sides will be keen to send a message with a statement result on Friday. St. Johnstone have not lost to Raith Rovers in their last three meetings in all competitions, with one win and two draws.
Raith Rovers’ recent revival has added a layer of intrigue to this contest, but the fact that Saints are the runaway leaders in the Championship 2025-2026, are strong at home and have a strong defensive record make them the obvious favourites at 14/25.
Valakari’s men will be hard to beat
Raith’s away form has not been as strong as their home record, with one win and one defeat in their last two away games. Rovers average 0.53 goals scored and 1.06 conceded per game away in the Championship 2025/2026, showing that they struggle to finish off teams on the road and can be vulnerable at the back when they are turned over.
St. Johnstone have conceded just 11 goals at home in the Championship 2025/2026 - an average of 0.65 per game - so the hosts have the defensive solidity to win this contest. The clash of styles will be interesting, with the Saints’ patient build-up versus Raith’s high-tempo press, but Saints should be able to maintain their momentum and edge a tight contest.
