Ross County
- Ross County are in a rough patch and manager Stuart Kettlewell, who took charge of the club in December 2025, needs to reverse their fortunes with another strong spell of form.
- He has been trying to get his side to be more compact and solid, while also putting his stamp on the team with a pragmatic approach.
- Kettlewell’s side have won just four of their 16 home Championship 2025/2026 matches so far (D3, L9), averaging just 1.12 goals per game at home in the league.
- Ross County are without a win in their last five matches, with the last two at home in the Championship 2025/2026 going without a victory.
Ayr United
- Ayr United have enjoyed a slightly better run of form across their last five games (W1, D1, L3), but John Rankin’s men come into this weekend’s game off the back of a 1-0 home win over Arbroath.
- Rankin, who stepped up to the plate as interim manager after Scott Brown’s departure, has been pragmatic and simplified the tactical system his players operate in.
- Rankin’s side have lost their only away game during his short tenure, but the visitors have been relatively solid on the road in the Championship 2025/2026 this term, with a record of W4, D8, L4.
- Ayr United have scored 19 goals across their 16 away fixtures.
Head-to-Head
- Ayr United are sixth in the Championship 2025/2026 with 39 points from 33 games, while Ross County are tenth with 28 points from 33.
- The last three Championship 2025/2026 H2H encounters have all ended in draws, including a 0-0 draw between these two sides at Somerset Park seven weeks ago.
Key Players
- Jamie Murphy is Ayr United’s top scorer in the Championship 2025/2026 with seven goals from 21 appearances and he has netted both of his team’s goals in their last five.
- Kieran Phillips has scored two of Ross County’s last three goals.
- Ronan Hale is a consistent threat for County with seven Championship 2025/2026 goals in 19 appearances, so he could make a difference at any stage of the game.
Betting Insights
There are bigger odds on Ayr to win at 3.3 , but I’m going for Over 2.5 goals at 2.0 and Both Teams to Score - Yes at 1.73 .
Prediction
Ross County are a little more open at the back right now, so I’m siding with Ayr to edge out a victory in a game where both teams are likely to hit the net .
