Match preview: Kilmarnock vs St Mirren

It's arguably Killie's biggest game of the season

Kilmarnock and St Mirren will face off at Rugby Park today in something of a top-six decider.

Killie come into this one in fifth place, a point behind the Buddies in fourth.

Team news

We'll start with those who definitely won't feature. Matty Kennedy remains out for Kilmarnock, having also missed last weekend's 3-1 Scottish Cup quarter-final defeat to Aberdeen with a medial ligament strain. He is expected to be back following the international break. Long-term absentees and former St Mirren players Kyle Magennis and Brad Lyons are still on the sidelines. Lewis Mayo's suspension takes effect today following his dismissal in the 2-2 against Dundee in Killie's last Premiership outing.

Kevin van Veen is nursing a hamstring issue, having suffered a flare-up while warming up against Pittodrie, and the on-loan FC Groningen is touch and go as to whether he'll make the matchday squad. Greg Stewart is dealing with a groin issue and Derek McInnes has confirmed that his minutes are being managed, so whether he can play his part today remains to be seen.

As for the visitors, St Mirren, Ryan Strain remains out for them, but other than that, Steven Robinson has no real selection issues going into his team's trip to Ayrshire.

Last time out...

When the sides last met, Killie ran out 1-0 winners in Paisley thanks to Marley Watkins.

Here's the best of the action from that late December night:

How to follow the action

Tickets for the match can be purchased until 14:30, and a big crowd is expected with over 2,500 St Mirren supporters expected to occupy the Chadwick Stand, accompanying a strong Killie contingent, in the Frank Beattie, East and Moffat Stands.

If you can't make it to Rugby Park, you don't have to miss a kick. If you are a Killie TV subscriber, you can tune in to live commentary if you are in the UK or Ireland, or watch the match live if you are abroad. Both domestic and international subscribers can watch the full 90 minutes back from midnight.

In terms of live coverage, HBSA Hospital Radio's HBSA Sports team are on hand to provide that. You can tune in to their commentary wherever you are in the world by going to hbsaradio.com/football from 14:30 or Channel 1 of your bedside terminal in Crosshouse Hospital and Ayrshire Maternity Unit. In HBSA's commentary box, it's Kieran Calderwood, Adam Lyon and Andrew Milligan, of One Team in Ayrshire Podcast fame.