Queen’s Park meet familiar friends when Partick Thistle pitch up at Hampden on Saturday with the game being the eleventh meeting of the sides in little over 18 months.
The Spiders have enjoyed three victories during this run and the Jags six, with the only draw being seen at the first meeting of the sides at Hampden last October. Without wishing to put the goalless draw curse on the game, it is only right to point out that their has been an average of more than four goals scored in each game since August 2022.
Both sides head into the meeting on the back of 1-1 draws with Queen’s sharing the spoils with hosts Airdrieonians last weekend and Thistle coming back from a goal down to earn a point in a home contest with Dundee United.
This season the Firhill side have had the upper hand with two Championship wins, as well as handing out a Scottish Cup knockout to Queen’s Park. Along with draw last autumn there have been 16 goals shared this season.
Ruari Paton is the top goalscorer in this season’s matches with four (you can always find positives!).
Queen’s Park’s Head Coach Callum Davidson spoke to QPTV about the game and he covered:
– Airdrieonians reflections.
– Partick Thistle – The Last of the Unknowns.
– Partick Thistle – Not so unknown
– The Final Quarter
– Partick Thistle observations from their recent game against Dundee United.
– Moving from Grass to Artificial to Grass
– Team News
Captain's Thoughts
The cinch Championship so far
Queen’s Park occupied fifth place in the table during their game at Airdrieonians last weekend however the loss of one goal to the Diamonds combined with other goals in the west and the east of the country saw the Spiders having to settle for eighth come the final whistle.
Ironically, Queen’s could claim to be more mid-table than eighth as they are eight points off a promotion play-off place and eight points off bottom spot. Regardless of the tightly packed nature of the Championship a win for The Black and White Hoops would see them move to within five points of their visitors who have been promotion chasers all season.
Two wins and a draw in their last four matches at home is evidence that Queen’s Park are beginning to enjoy playing at Hampden especially as their last outing at the National Stadium was a 6-0 success over Arbroath.
Partick Thistle started 2024 in fine form with wins over Queen’s and Arbroath in the Championship along with a draw at Morton as well as thumping 3-0 success at Ross County in The Scottish Cup. Since then, there has been an extra time Cup exit to Livingston and three points picked up in the league with draws against Airdrieonians, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Dundee United.
Firhill striker Brian Graham leads the way with 15 goals in the Championship however he is tied with Queen’s Paton on 19 for the season when cup goals are added in. Thistle’s Aidan Fitzpatrick is the next high-scoring Thistle man with nine with Dom Thomas’ goal last weekend at Airdrieonians taking the QP skipper up to eight for the season.
Squad News
Charlie Fox has stepped up his recovery after three months out however this game will come too soon for the defender. Patrick Jarrett and Grant Savoury continue to be absent with everyone else in Head Coach Davidson’s squad available for selection.
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Last time out – Cinch Championship
January 2, 2024
Partick Thistle 3 Queen’s Park 2
Queen’s Park – Calum Ferrie, Zach Mauchin (Will Tizzard 89), Alex Bannon, Lewis Reid (Aaron Healy 85), Jack Thomson, Cameron Bruce, Louis Longridge, Jack Turner (Stuart McKinstry 85), Jack Spong (Lucas McCormick 76), Dom Thomas, Ruari Paton.
Unused substitutes – Callan McKenna (G/k), Tommy Robson, Alex Fairlie, Ricky Waugh, Patrick Jarrett.
Partick Thistle – Jamie Sneddon, Jack McMillan, Harry Milne, Aaron Muirhead, Lewis Neilson, Kerr McInroy, Stuart Bannigan (Luke McBeth (90+2), Brian Graham (Tomi Adeloye 76), Steven Lawless (Scott Robinson 76), Aidan Fitzpatrick, Ben Stanway (Blair Alston 65).
Unused substitutes – Mason McCready (G/k), Wasiri Williams, James Lyon, Zander MacKenzie, Ricco Diack.
Referee – Steven Kirkland
Read the Match Report – Partick Thistle 3 Queen’s Park 2
