Arbroath host Cove Rangers on Saturday in a match which could define the remainder of the season for both sides.
With the top seven in the Championship separated by just seven points, the Lichties and fellow strugglers Hamilton could see themselves cut adrift if results don’t go their way.
Another win for Jim McIntyre’s side, after beating Queen’s Park last week, would move them eight points clear of the toiling Angus side.
It’s a huge game, which will make history as Cove visit Gayfield for the first time, but the stats don’t make good reading for either team.
Poor form
Arbroath, who had the best home form last season, are tied with Hamilton as the poorest side on their own patch.
The Lichties have earned just five points out of a possible 21 at Gayfield. They’ve also only scored a meagre three goals in front of their own support.
At the back they’ve conceded eight which isn’t the worst in the league, but Dick Campbell’s attackers haven’t lived up to last season’s expectations.
While Arbroath have struggled at home, Cove are just as bad on the road.
The Championship new boys are the only team yet to record a win away from home.
The Aberdeen side have managed two draws on their travels in recent weeks – at Somerset Park and New Douglas Park.
The latter game saw them lose a three-goal lead.
In total, Cove have only collected three points away from home.
However, they have found the net 10 times in their seven away games – one more than Arbroath have managed in all of their fixtures.
First goal wins?
It may seem obvious, but the key to winning this game will be to score first.
Both Cove and Arbroath have fallen behind in 10 of their 14 games.
But McIntyre’s team have managed to rally to earn six points from a losing position – one win, against Dundee, and three draws.
That’s the second-most points gained after trailing in the league behind Ayr.
Arbroath, meanwhile, have come back to draw after falling behind three times.
One positive for the Lichties has been getting ahead in games. Two times they have scored first (Morton and Hamilton) and managed to see the game out to win.
Conversely, Cove have also not tasted defeat after scoring first. They have won four and drawn once after leading.
Both sides may be in the bottom three, but surprisingly, Cove have the best shots to goals ratio in the league.
They’ve had 104 attempts on goal, resulting in 22 goals. In other words, they’ve scored a goal for every five shots at goal (21%)
Efforts on goal have not been as fruitful for Arbroath. Nine goals have come from their 93 attempts.
At around 10%, that’s the worst conversion rate in the league.
Key men
As mentioned, Arbroath have struggled for goals this season.
Their main threat has come from left winger Bobby Linn, who has found the net three times in the league.
Kieran Shanks could be back in the mix after netting against Inverness last weekend, taking his tally to two.
Cove’s Connor Scully has been a key part in their resurgence after netting seven goals – including a brace against the Lichties last month.
🔁 We've still got this on repeat! 😍
Presenting your @cinchuk @SPFL Goal of the Month for September/October! 🏆@cscully13 | #CRFC
— Cove Rangers FC (@CoveRangersFC) November 9, 2022
The 30-year-old’s sublime overhead kick against Dundee was named SPFL on Wednesday.
Mitch Megginson is another threat. The veteran striker has netted five times this season so far.
He picked up his sixth league booking last weekend against Queen’s Park but, unfortunately for The Lichties, his suspension won’t occur until next weekend.
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