St Johnstone should return to winning ways in the Scottish Championship on Saturday when they host Queen’s Park. Simo Valakari’s side are still top of the table after being held to a 0-0 draw away at title rivals Partick Thistle last weekend. Since then, Partick have chipped away at the gap with a 2-0 win at Raith Rovers on Tuesday night, and it could be even tighter by the time Saints take to the field this weekend, with Thistle in action again on Friday night.
Prior to that stalemate with Partick, the Saints were enjoying a three-game winning run that included home victories over Ayr and Ross County. Back on their own patch, the league leaders should have enough in their locker to see off Queen’s Park this weekend.
The Spiders deserve credit for pulling clear of the relegation battle, but they did slip to a 1-0 defeat at Arbroath last time out. That result means Sean Crighton’s side have now lost seven of their last 10 away matches in the Scottish Championship, and I expect them to leave Perth without any points on Saturday.
