Raith Rovers vs Arbroath
15 January 1500hrs
Football – Scotland – Championship
Pick Raith Rovers
Bookmaker Coral
Odds: 29/20 odds taken 2000 GMT, Thursday 13 January
Arbroath are the surprise leaders of the Scottish Championship and travel to face fourth place Raith Rovers who, with a win, can go level on points with their opponents.
Table of Contents
Raith Rovers Preview – Can Rovers get back to winning ways following four matches without a victory?
It definitely hasn’t gone to plan in the last few weeks but Raith are still very much in with a chance of the title and winning automatic promotion. Sitting in fourth at the time of writing, Rovers have not won a game since the 1-0 win at home to Kilmarnock which had them on top for a brief spell. The hope was that would see them kick on and become the team others had to chase, but the reality has been taking two points from four matches.
Draws against local rivals Dunfermilne and then Inverness were disappointing in different ways but important to get something from having lost away to Partick Thistle and Ayr United without scoring a goal. Raith have actually managed just three goals in their last six league games – that will have to improve if they are to go up.
It has been Raith’s form at home which has kept them in the hunt for top spot. Queen of the South are the only team to have beaten them at Starks Park this season, winning five and drawing four others. John McGlynn may feel that it has been a couple of draws too many but there’s doubt they have the foundations to make it difficult for any visiting team.
With Morton and Hamilton to come after this game for Raith, they’ll feel a win here would lead them into a couple more favourable opportunities to get points.
Arbroath Preview – Will the leaders bounce back to form after disappointing defeat last time out?
Nobody would have predicted Arbroath would be at the top of the Championship beyond the halfway stage. The only part-time team in the division have more than held their own and have got people wondering if they really could go all the way and make history. Dick Campbell’s men sit above Inverness courtesy of goal difference but with six points between them and fifth place Partick Thistle, there is a long way to go.
A disappointing loss away to Ayr United last weekend means Arbroath have taken only a point from their last two games. That said, the defeat at Somerset did bring to an end a run of 11 matches unbeaten.
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A noticeable difference of Arbroath’s overall performance this season compared to previous campaigns is the amount of points they are getting on their travels. They have got 21 points away from home already which is just two points less than their total points away from home for the last two seasons combined.
It made the loss last time out all that more surprising against a team from the bottom half but they have a chance to make amends here.
Raith Rovers vs Arbroath Betting Advice
With five teams all gunning for promotion the second half of this Championship season looks set to be thrilling. And there always seems to be a fixture between two of those teams involved. Raith reached the playoffs last season but they want to go one better whilst this is pretty much new territory.
It’s Raith who have had the upper hand in the meetings so far this season, winning the first game here and drawing on their travels more recently.
Key Facts – Raith Rovers vs Arborath Betting Tip
- Raith are unbeaten in their last eight home matches in the league, winning five of them
- Arbroath have picked up more points and wins away than they have at home this campaign
- Rovers have taken four points from the two games between the teams this season
Neither team are in great form just now but Raith are the one on greatest need. There have been some signs that Arbroath are just beginning to flag and the full-time side can take advantage.
Best Betting Odds for Raith Rovers vs Arbroath
