Table at the minute: Thistle 29, United 25, 'Well 24.
Sat April 26 - Dundee United v Hibs, Thistle v 'Well. A big weekend this, not only because we have the chance to beat our rivals but because a good start will be vital to the campaign. On paper, Hibs are the best team in the fixtures that matter but they have nothing to play for and have been rubbish of late anyway. We are coming off the back of a bad run of league form but a heroic loss in the cup. Thistle have not won in months and we will finally break our hoodoo against poor teams with a win. This will be cancelled out somewhat by United winning at Tannadice.
Table: Thistle 29, United 28, 'Well 27.
Sat May 3 - Livingston v Thistle, 'Well v United. The first of three away games on the trot for United but they will know a win will almost see them safe. Thistle have a potentially winnable game but they will still be struggling against a Livi side who can be quite good on their day. Livi will edge out a narrow win while we shall fight out a battle draw with United.
Table: Thistle 29, United 29, 'Well 28
Wed May 7 – ‘Well v Celtic. With Celtic all but out of the running for the championship, this has to be viewed as a good chance to pick up points. They may also have the added distraction of a UEFA Cup final to take their minds of things. Of course, Celtic’s reserves are a better team than us on paper and we will still have to be fortunate to take anything. However, you cannot aim to stay up in this league by beating the Old Firm and it is more likely than not that Celtic will win.
Table: Thistle 29, United 29, 'Well 28
Sat May 10 – Aberdeen v Thistle, Hibs v ‘Well, Livingston v United. If ever one weekend had the potential for disaster, this is it. Thistle have beaten Aberdeen three times this season and while United have lost every encounter to Livingston, our record at Easter Road is nothing short of appalling. We will turn in a better performance than usual but the Leith jinx will strike again and we’ll probably lose. Aberdeen are recovering but the Thistle mental block will ensure that the points are shared. United will take at least draw at the City Stadium. Not likely to be a good day.
Table: Thistle 30, United 30, ‘Well 28
Sat May 17 – ‘Well v Aberdeen, Thistle v United. We’re getting into the desperation stakes here and as such every team will be going for it. That will probably be enough to ensure we grind out a narrow win at home the Dons who will already have half an eye on their summer holidays. Thistle and United has the potential to be the worst game of the whole SPL season but Thistle’s over reliance on Burns will come a cropper and when he has an off day, the whole team stops. United will steal a scrappy encounter 0-1.
Table: United 33, ‘Well 31, Thistle 30
Sat May 24 – United v Aberdeen, Hibs v Thistle, ‘Well v Livingston. Any one of three teams could finish bottom going into the last day and all have opponents who are playing friendly matches. United and ‘Well are both at home while Thistle probably have the toughest match on paper, away to Easter Road. We have never beaten Livi and this will probably continue. We should be good enough to pick up a draw though. This means that the United result is meaningless to us which is just as well as they’ll probably win. That leaves it down to Thistle – and I do not see them beating Hibs away to stay up. We’ll be generous and give them a draw.
Final table: United 36, ‘Well 32, Thistle 31