Partick Thistle vs Morton – Match Preview

by Dean McKinnon

Morton will travel to Firhill this evening in a rearranged fixture following a festive call-off by the home side for an apparent waterlogged pitch. Dougie Imrie, who will serve the second match of a six-game touchline ban issued last week, will look to bounce back from his first league defeat in his new role. The Ton fell 1-0 to Imrie’s former side Hamilton on Saturday in a largely forgettable affair and will be looking to bounce back against play-off hopefuls Partick.

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Squad Update

The Ton’s backroom staff will assess the fitness of the players ahead of this match following Saturday’s defeat to Hamilton but should boast a full squad to choose from.

Current Connections

Only Robbie Muirhead of the current Morton squad has represented Partick, whilst on loan from Hearts in 2015, scoring twice in 8 appearances. There are more ex-Morton players in the home side's ranks though, with Scott Tiffoney and Brian Graham starting their careers at Cappielow before moving on and finding themselves back in the lower leagues with Partick. Former Motherwell loanee Ross McIver spent the latter part of last season on loan at Firhill after returning to Motherwell from Morton in the January window, and went onto make his move permanent in the summer following his release from the Steelmen. Midfielder Kyle Turner is the son of ex-Morton and Partick midfielder Tommy.

Tale of the Tape

It's a long time since Morton beat Partick Thistle. The last time being the fantastic 3-2 win in August 2019 at Cappielow when Morton were outplayed for long spells before awaking from their slumber in the last 15 minutes to grab victory from the jaws of defeat. The blow of two defeats after that were softened by Partick's abysmal run of form, resulting in their relegation as the season was curtailed due to the outbreak of the COVID pandemic. However, on their return to the division this year, they dished out a 3-0 early season hammering which we're best glossing over. A 0-0 midweek draw at Cappielow wasn't a terrible result, nor was it a bad performance, but during a run in which wins, rather than draws are required, it may well be Morton, rather than Partick who look back on the game as two points dropped come the season's end.

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Opposition Analysis

Although Partick are facing a fixture pile up owing a mixture of COVID and incumbent weather causing a number of the Maryhill side’s matches to be postponed, this evening’s hosts are unbeaten in the league since Arbroath’s 2-0 win at Firhill on 11^th December. The home side sit one point behind Raith Rovers, currently sitting 4^th in the table, with Partick boasting four games in hand over their Fife counterparts. With Brian Graham atop of the Championship’s goalscorer list, and with midfielder Kyle Turner and familiar face Scott Tiffoney both recording a high number of assists this term, The Ton’s rearguard will be prepared for a tough evening’s work.

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Betting Guide

All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 10am on 20^th February 2022 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling.

The home side head into this match as favourites, priced at 4/6 to claim all three points. The Ton’s 15/4 odds to win are perhaps reflective of our record at Firhill. The score draw, priced at 4/1, could be a wise investment. Striker Gavin Reilly is an impressive 10/1 to open the scoring, with both Gozie Ugwu and Robbie Muirhead priced at 8/1.

Match Officials

Referee – Euan Anderson

AR1 – Sean Carr

AR2 – John Stewart.