Preview Raith Rovers

The Pars have won four of the last dozen league meetings, Raith five and three ended all square.

Consolation for relegation from the SPL comes in the shape of 12 derby matches and this is the first of the season against our Kirkcaldy neighbours. As the theme song goes everybody needs good neighbours and the closer the competition is between the Pars and the Rovers the better. Raith won two, lost one and drew one in season 2010-11 yet it was the East End Park side who won promotion.  Now with both sides under new management and considerable changes in personnel in both teams, it is going to be a fresh fight when the two meet on Saturday.

There have been 90 league meetings between these teams.  Dunfermline have won 36, Raith 32 and 22 matches have been drawn. The best result was a 6-0 win in September 1962 when George Peebles hit a hat trick, Charlie Dickson a double and Alex Edwards scored.

The Pars have won four of the last dozen league meetings, Raith five and three ended all square.  The Pars 2-1 league win at East End Park in March 2011 was only their second there since 1997 in the SPL, a result which completed a complete whitewash over the Rovers that season.

Only three games into the season`s campaign but the visitors have a one point advantage. Raith had a fine away win at Falkirk on the opening day of the season and while the Pars had a four goal win at Cowdenbeath they followed that up by a home defeat to Thistle.  The win over  Montrose on Tuesday night ensured that there would be no home hoodoo this season but for all sorts of reasons a home win this Saturday means a lot both on and off the field.

Raith are unbeaten in their seven competitive matches this season. They have averaged three goals a game and terminated Ross County`s 38 match unbeaten run on Tuesday night in Dingwall. 

Last Time Out

DUNFERMLINE (v Montrose): Paul Gallacher; Jordan McMillan (c), Andy Dowie, Callum Morris, Stephen Jordan; Stephen Husband, Andy Geggan, Josh Falkingham (Craig Dargo 68), Ryan Wallace (Shaun Byrne 75), Andy Barrowman, Alex Whittle (Ivan D`Angelo HT),
SUBS NOT USED: Chris Kane,, Michal Hrivnak (GK)

RAITH ROVERS (v Ross County): David McGurn; Jason Thomson, Laurie Ellis (Colin Wilson 30), Dougie Hill, Eddie Malone; Stuart Anderson, Allan Walker, Joe Hamill (Ross Callachan 83), Greig Spence (Grant Anderson 78), Pat Clarke, Brian Graham
SUBS NOT USED: Ross Laidlaw, Grant Murray.

Jason Thomson and Pat Clarke have worn the black and white in the past and both can expect the traditional warm welcome on their return.

The referee will be Calum Murray.