St Mirren v Queen of the South: Familiar face to hurt the Doonhamers

With their rivals engaged in cup action this weekend, both St Mirren and Queen of the South have an opportunity to steal a march in the Ladbrokes Championship.

The bookies are finding it tough to split the pair with the Doonhamers just shading it as 29/20 favourites ahead of the hosts at 3/2.

If the odds are correct James Fowler’s men would move up to fourth and into the play-off positions if they were to take all three points back to Dumfries.

Victory for the Buddies would put a welcome gap between themselves and Livingston in eighth place, with a win giving them an eight point cushion over Livi.

And in their veteran forward Steven Thompson, they have just the man to cause a mini-upset at St Mirren Park.

The 37-year-old has found the net in each of his four appearances against Queens since arriving in Paisley back in 2011, as well as chipping in with two assists.

To put some further context on that, he has scored 17 per cent of his St Mirren goals against this weekend’s opponents, with those fixtures making up just 2 per cent of his Buddies appearances.

After a run in the starting XI before Christmas the former Burnley man hasn’t started any of his side’s last seven games, though has been coming off the bench regularly.

With his record against Saturday’s foes he could be just the man to strike late to give the home side at least a share of the spoils.

However, if there is one thing that St Mirren have failed to do lately it’s take the upper hand early.

In seven of their last nine fixtures in all competitions Alex Rae’s men have found themselves behind by conceding the opening goal.

Doing so against Queen of the South this weekend will find them in a tricky position with the away side going on to win nine of the 11 matches in which they have scored first this season.

But with a man so potent against the Doonhamers, despite his advancing years, at their disposal, the home crowd could be left cheering on a late fightback.

Thompson might not be the man to get the goal that brings them back into the game, but backing St Mirren to come from behind to win or draw the fixture looks far too tempting to miss out on at 4/1.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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