SFL previews: Steven Pressley goes with youth again for win-or-bust clash

Manager Steven Pressley, who looks set to continue with his policy of fielding home-grown young players like Blair Alston and Stewart Murdoch, said: "A win means that we can still catch Dunfermline on points as we play them in the final game of the season. It is a very slim chance but we have to go out and grab it.

"We gave some of the youngsters a chance against Partick last week and they took it. They carried that on in a really hard game against Cowdenbeath."

Defender Marc Twaddle remains out through suspension. Interim Thistle manager Jackie McNamara is without Paul Paton, Ryan MacBeth, Iain Flannigan, John Robertson, Bryan Hodge, Colin Stevenson and Simon Donnelly through injury. Martin Grehan and Chris Erskine are also struggling.

McNamara said: "I thought we were down to the bare bones on Saturday and we are beyond that now. One good thing is that this game is at Falkirk's place and their surface is a lot better than ours. We were able to play some good football at the last game we had there."

QOS v Ross County

The home side, whose season has unravelled in recent weeks, have the chance to take a little revenge on their ALBA Cup final conquerors, but will be without Stephen McKenna following his sending-off in the 6-1 defeat at East End Park.

The club are also beset by off-field problems and manager Kenny Brannigan said: "We have the chance of a wee bit of revenge but we will have to do a whole lot better than we did at Dunfermline. I will work on getting the boys lifted for this one."

Ross County, who will be looking to move further clear of the relegation zone, are still without suspended skipper Richard Brittain.

SECOND DIVISION

Brechin City v East Fife

Brechin manager Jim Weir wants his to get over the play-off line as quickly as possible after a run of five games without a win.

He said: "We are low on bodies and low on energy but I am sure a win will get our campaign going again."

Striker David McKenna returns after a ban, but Ewan Moyes and Rory McAllister are suspended.

Ryan Wallace and Steven Hislop are doubts for East Fife with Robert Sloan and Jim Hamilton already out.

Livingston v Ayr United

Champions Livingston determined to finish the season unbeaten at home and manager Gary Bollan said: "We have set high standards and I do not want them to drop."

Iain Russell will be missing through suspension, while for play-off chasing Ayr Jim Lauchlan and Scott McLaughlin face fitness tests.

THIRD DIVISION

Clyde v East Stirling

Clyde can move off the bottom of the table with victory, but manager Jim Duffy played down that prospect, pointing out: "Our target was all about making Clyde competitive again and we have managed that."

East Stirlingshire's head coach Jim McInally hopes to remain ahead of the hosts, however, and said: "We do not want to finish bottom of the league and the best way to avoid that is by winning."