Form has been patchy for Raith all season. Since Dougie Imrie took over in late November there have only been two league wins. Indeed, Raith have only won seven Championship matches this season. In comparison, St Johnstone have won 14.
Injuries to Lewis Stevenson, Callum Fordyce and Shaun Byrne have not helped matters.
But there has been progress in the Challenge Cup and losing 1-0 away at holders Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup was certainly no disgrace.
And Rovers always seem to give a good account of themselves at home under the Friday lights in front of the BBC cameras.
They will need to, with St Johnstone now five points clear at the top.
The Perth side have armed themselves shrewdly with reinforcements in the January window.
While Adamah Sidibeh was allowed to leave, they brought in plenty of goal power in the form of Josh Fowler from Queen’s Park and Ruraidh Paton on loan from Port Vale.
Paton scored on his debut last week in the 1-0 win at Airdrieonians, and you feel it is only a matter of time before Fowler finds the net given his gargantuan goals haul with the struggling Spiders.
The potency of the Saints front four – Jamie Gullan with the assist last week and Championship top scorer Josh McPake on the other flank – should spell plenty of trouble for Raith.
Saints have won twice and drawn the other of their three fixtures against Rovers this season, and Simo Valakari’s side will be seeking to put more pressure by going eight points clear of second placed Partick Thistle, who are at home to Airdrieonians on Saturday.
