St Mirren host Dunfermline at the Paisley 2021 Stadium this weekend - the final time the Buddies will play the Fifers this season.
The Buddies come into tomorrow's match on the back of a midweek loss to Raith Rovers. Jack Ross' men looked comfortable for the more part before falling to a brace from Rovers substitute Ryan Hardie. While our visitors drew 1-1 with Queen of the South at East End Park on Tuesday night after Queens' Joe Thomson cancelled out Michael Moffat's early opener.
The Saints have faced the Pars three times during this campaign with Allan Johnston's men coming out on top twice, with the other ending in a draw.
The first meeting took place in September with Allan McManus in temporary charge of St Mirren. It was an action packed match at East End Park with the Pars coming out on top by the odd goal in seven when the now departed Farid El Alagui struck with a little over five minutes to go.
Dunfermline made it back-to-back wins over the Buddies in November when Nicky Clark pounced to give the Pars their first ever win at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.
The only meeting between the sides so far in 2017 came in January when Saints travelled to East End Park. The home side took the lead in the first half when Gary MacKenzie fouled Michael Moffat inside the box, allowing Higginbotham to fire home from the penalty spot.
But MacKenzie turned from sinner to saint when he bulleted home a header almost immediately after the restart to earn the Buddies a point.
Saints last victory over Dunfermline came at the Paisley 2021 Stadium on October 10 2015 in the Challenge Cup with Stevie Mallan scoring twice in a 4-0 win.
With 10 games left until the end of the season wins are of utmost importance to St Mirren and a first victory of the Pars this season could see the Buddies close the gap at the bottom to just two points. For Dunfermline, a win could see them move a step away from the relegation play-off place and avoid a nervy end to the season..
