East Fife’s aim against Airdrie is to create a seven-point gap over the form team in the lower half of the league.
Gary Bollan’s men are second-bottom, but getting closer to the pack, and Methil boss Gary Naysmith said: “We are four points clear of Airdrie and after this game I want that to be increased.
“They will view it as a great game to drag us into trouble and then climb over us, whereas I see it as a game where we can show that we are looking up the way and not down.”
He continued: “They will have been boosted by beating Brechin last Saturday, whereas we experienced what felt like a defeat when we drew at Stenhousemuir last week when we lost a last minute goal.
“However, I thought ahead of the Stenhousemuir game that four points out of six would be a decent return, and I still do.
“In simple terms we want to win and push ourselves further away from Airdrie.”
The Bayview players had an extra night’s training this week in preparation for meeting a Diamonds side that have added former Gretna, Queen of the South and Livingston defender, Craig Barr, to their ranks.
Naysmith noted: “I wanted to try a few things out and it also meant that some of our injured players got extra night treatment.
“Hopefully that will help us get it right.”
Scott McBride’s hip problem keeps him out with Stevie Campbell, Joe Mbu, Jonny Stewart and Scott Durie all struggling to make it.
Kevin Rutkiewicz and Naysmith are possible starters.