There is an intriguing battle between the top two in Group D of the Scottish League Cup on Sunday afternoon as St Mirren welcome Ayr to the Smisa Stadium. The hosts are currently just two points behind the visitors after three games played each, but have the chance to leapfrog them into top spot.
St Mirren came into the tournament off the back of three straight victories in pre-season friendlies, and so will be hoping to find that winning feeling again on Sunday. Ayr were not so fortunate in their pre-season campaign, winning just one of their four arranged friendlies in preparation for the competition.
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St Mirren vs Ayr prediction: Hosts to edge entertaining encounter?
Key stats
- St Mirren have won three of the last four H2Hs in all competitions.
- Ayr have only failed to score once in their previous seven matches in total across all competitions.
- Both teams have scored a total of 23 goals between them in the tournament so far.
Correct score prediction: St Mirren 3-2 Ayr
Given just how free-scoring both teams have been in the cup so far, we are expecting plenty of goals at either end of the pitch. We fancy St Mirren to get the vital three points that they need on home soil, but Ayr should still put up a decent fight on their travels.
Pre-game odds and win probability: St Mirren strong favourites with bookmakers
- HOME: 8/15 (1.53) – 65.2%
- DRAW: 29/10 (3.90) – 25.6%
- AWAY: 4/1 (5.00) – 20.0%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, St Mirren are strong favourites to claim what would be a crucial three points in this one. Ayr are rated at having a 20% chance of winning, while a draw is valued at just over 25%.
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Most recent H2Hs: St Mirren on strong run
Despite losing the last H2H 2-1 in 2023, St Mirren had won the previous three meetings. The hosts will be boosted by that record, and could use it to help spur them on.
Scotland FA Cup 22/01/22
Ayr
St Mirren
Scotland Championship 01/04/17
St Mirren
Ayr
Scotland Championship 25/02/17
Ayr
St Mirren
Scotland Championship 17/12/16
St Mirren
Ayr
Scotland League Challenge Cup 13/11/16
St Mirren
Ayr
St Mirren preview: No fresh concerns
St Mirren have no new injury concerns or suspensions to report heading into this clash. Thus, they may choose to stick to the same XI that emphatically beat Annan 8-2 in the cup last time out.
Predicted lineup: Mullen (GK); Gogic, King, Fraser; Tanser, Phillips, O'Hara, Taylor; McMenamin, Mandron & Ayunga
Scotland Premiership 10/05/25
W
Dundee Utd
0
St Mirren
2
Scotland Premiership 03/05/25
W
Aberdeen
0
St Mirren
1
Scotland Premiership 26/04/25
D
Rangers
2
St Mirren
2
Scotland Premiership 12/04/25
W
Ross County
2
St Mirren
3
Scotland Premiership 05/04/25
L
Dundee
2
St Mirren
0
Ayr preview: Stick to winning formula?
As Ayr have won all three of their games in the group so far, they may resist making any changes to what has been a successful starting XI. Much like their opponents, the visitors also have no fresh injury concerns or suspensions to report.
Predicted lineup: Mitchell (GK); Watret, Holt, Want, Dick; Bonnar, Main, McKenzie, Walker, Thomas & Oakley
Scotland League Cup 22/07/25
W
Forfar
0
Ayr
3
Scotland League Cup 19/07/25
W
Arbroath
0
Ayr
4
Scotland League Cup 15/07/25
W
Annan Athletic
1
Ayr
6
UK Friendlies 04/07/25
L
Kilmarnock
1
Ayr
0
UK Friendlies 01/07/25
L
Spartans
3
Ayr
2
Player to watch: Mikael Mandron
Mikael Mandron did well to steal some of the headlines as St Mirren thrashed Annan 8-2 in the cup last time out. Indeed, the forward scored a hat-trick to take his tally to four goals in total for the tournament, and will be a player that Ayr will need to mark very carefully heading into Sunday afternoon's crucial clash.