Partick Thistle vs Ross County: Match Preview and Key Insights
Ross County is set to face Partick Thistle this Saturday, October 7, 2023. This Scottish Championship match will take place at Firhill Stadium in Glasgow with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 PM. The Jags are currently second in the league, trailing St. Johnstone by six points but with one match less played.
Match Overview
Partick Thistle is on a five-match unbeaten streak, although they have drawn their last two games. Meanwhile, Ross County appears to be stabilizing after a rocky start to the season. They secured a 0-0 draw against league leaders St. Johnstone last week, which followed a victory over Raith Rovers.
Ross County’s Recent Performance
- Current position: 8th in the Scottish Championship.
- Last match: 0-0 draw against St. Johnstone.
- Previous match: Victory over Raith Rovers.
- Unbeaten in last two games.
A win against Thistle could propel County from eighth to sixth place, depending on other match results. The team demonstrated resilience in their last match, with captain Declan Gallagher making a crucial defensive clearance to maintain the draw. Efforts from Ronan Hale and Gary Mackay-Steven were stopped by goalkeeper Toby Steward.
Player to Watch: Declan Gallagher
Gallagher has been essential for Ross County recently, showcasing strong leadership in defense. He played the full 90 minutes against St. Johnstone and has contributed to two consecutive clean sheets. His experience, alongside defenders Alex Iacovitti and Akin Wright, is critical for the Staggies as they aim to solidify their defense.
Partick Thistle’s Season So Far
The Jags have made a strong start this season, aiming for promotion after last appearing in the top flight in 2018. Under the management of Mark Wilson, who moved up from the coaching staff, Thistle has become a formidable opponent. Despite being six points behind St. Johnstone, they share an identical five-match record.
Key Matchup: Previous Encounter
The teams last met in August, where Thistle secured a 3-1 away victory over County. Goals from Ben Stanway, Logan Chalmers, and Steven Lawless marked that match, with Connor Randall scoring the sole goal for County. Improvement is essential for Ross County if they aim to reverse their fortunes this time.
Player to Watch: Logan Chalmers
- Position: Winger for Partick Thistle.
- Current season stats: 5 goals, including goals in two of the last four matches.
- Important role: Key in creating goal-scoring opportunities.
Chalmers, who scored in the previous match against County, will present a significant challenge for the Staggies’ defense. The full-back tasked with marking him will need to be alert throughout the game.
Familiar Faces
Several players have connections between the two clubs. Alex Samuel, who joined Thistle after leaving Ross County, has already netted two goals. Kyle Turner made 23 appearances for County and will be eager to make an impact against his former team.
Ross Docherty, a midfielder for County, previously captained Thistle before moving to Dundee United. Josh Reid, an academy graduate of Ross County, had a loan spell with Thistle last season.
Team News
- Noah Chilvers, Andrew Macleod, and Sean Mackie are unavailable.
- Kieran Phillips and Ross Docherty have returned to training.
Match Officials
The referee for the match will be Peter Stuart, with Ross Macleod and Steven G. Spence assisting as assistant referees.
Ticket Information
Away supporters will be accommodated in the Jackie Husband stand. For transportation details and further information, fans can visit Emegypt’s official site.
