Preview: Kilmarnock (h)

Certainly, the early form makes us marginal favourites although with Killie taking a good point at Parkhead before being pushed over the line by the referee against Dundee United it might not be that clear. What is probably more important is that we have our full squad to choose from while they do not.

Ross McCormack won the game from the spot last time but might have to settle for a place on the bench again. Porter is the only one of the front three that could realistically be dropped and while the summer signing may not have been brilliant yet he has contributed quietly. Taking him out the team for McCormack would either mean changing the nature of the attack or changing Clarkson's position when he is finally beginning to look like the player he was four years ago. As ever with decisions in football, we will only be able to judge if McGhee calls this right come the full time whistle.

Fitzpatrick is the one player in the rest of the side who is coming under real scrutiny but he should be given another chance before Mensing comes in. Killie are without Invincible and Fowler from their usual midfield and Garry Hay is also struggling for fitness. They do have a slightly more settled squad than they did at the beginning of the season but as their struggle against Dundee United showed they are certainly not up to the form of last year just yet.

Kilmarnock are, at the minute, in the exact position clubs our size want to be in. They have a trusted and established manager, play nice football, are physically strong and have been hovering around the top six for years. Even if they are not at their best, we will have to play well to match them.

Last season witnessed the extraordinary match when we beat them 5-0 but we also produced a backs to the wall performance to win at Rugby Park. Killie got their revenge with a last minute winner in the final game between the sides to remind us, as if it were needed, that can never relax against a team with the height and power they possess.

All things considered this should be a tight game and it is hard to call a winner with any degree of certainty. However we have dug out results in both our previous games and with home advantage there is no reason not to feel confident again. 3-2 for the boys.

Remember the last time Killie were at Fir Park?