A look at Ross County’s most likely fixture list as they battle to avoid a relegation play-off after the Scottish Premiership split
This weekend marks Ross County’s last match before the Scottish Premiership splits into two halves.
The Staggies know that they will be in the bottom half of the table, sitting 11th and battling to avoid a relegation play-off.
Last season, County only had two of their five games at home – something that has been a recurring theme over the years.
In fact, in six of the nine seasons County have been a part of a top-flight split, the club have ended up with three away games in their final five fixtures.
Should Staggies supporters be expecting more of the same this year? We’ve got all the answers for you as we take a look at County’s potential opponents.
The guarantees
Livingston
Final fixture should be: Away
Previous meetings this season: 3-2 win, 2-2, 1-1
Ross County should be far enough away from Livingston to not have to worry about automatic relegation this season, but they will still most likely face a tricky trip to the artificial pitch where points will be absolutely necessary.
It has not always been a happy hunting ground for the Highlanders, with just one victory at Livingston in more than a decade.
The good news is that County are unbeaten against David Martindale’s men this season, so they should be confident of a positive result.
St Johnstone
Final fixture should be: Away
Previous meetings this season: 1-0 loss, 1-0 loss, 2-0 win
The post-split match against St Johnstone could be the one that defines both teams’ campaigns.
As things stand, it almost appears to be a two-horse race to avoid the relegation play-off, and the bad news for County fans is that they should face a trip to McDiarmid Park.
Results between the two teams have been mixed this season, but St Johnstone did win 1-0 in Perth earlier this season, so County will need to avoid a repeat of that to escape the play-off for a second year in-a-row.
Aberdeen
Final fixture should be: Home
Previous meetings this season: 2-1 loss, 3-0 loss, 2-1 loss, 4-0 loss
Aberdeen have been Ross County’s bogey team this season. Having been drawn together in the League Cup quarter finals, County have actually already hosted the Dons twice this season, but should welcome the Dons to Dingwall for a third occasion before all is said and done.
If and when that happens, the Staggies will be desperate to get a first victory of the campaign over Aberdeen after losing all four games between the two in 2023/24.
It remains to be seen whether Aberdeen will have a permanent manager in place by the time the two clubs meet again, but if County can get three points against the Dons at a crucial time of the season it would go a long way to banishing the memories of this year’s defeats.
The possibles
Motherwell and Hibernian play each other this Saturday, with the winner giving themselves a chance to finish above Dundee to move into the top half.
However, after Dundee’s match against Rangers on Wednesday evening was postponed for a second time, the final placings may not be known until the middle of next week.
• Related: Cowie believes Ross County’s record against Rangers is ‘there to be broken’
Motherwell
Final fixture should be: Home
Previous meetings this season: 5-0 loss, 3-0 win, 3-3
Should Ross County go up against Motherwell one last time this season, they should have home advantage.
That could be particularly crucial, given the Staggies have conceded eight goals in the two games at Fir Park this season – compared to a 3-0 win for County in Dingwall back in December.
While the top six is still a possibility for Stuart Kettlewell’s men, they are not completely safe from relegation either, so this fixture could yet prove to be a big one for both teams.
Hibernian
Final fixture should be: Home
Previous meetings this season: 2-2, 2-0 loss, 2-2
Whether home or away, there has been no shortage of drama in the matches between Hibs and Ross County this season.
Last time they met, it took a very late goal from Yan Dhanda to save a point for the Staggies in Dingwall.
Should they meet again, County will try to pick up where they left off, welcoming Hibernian back to the Highlands looking to pick up a first victory of the season over Nick Montgomery’s side.
Dundee
Final fixture should be: Home
Previous meetings this season: 2-0 loss, 1-0 loss, 0-0
The side currently sitting sixth in the table, County could potentially be keeping their fingers crossed that Dundee are not the final side due to make the journey north to Dingwall before the season is out.
Matches between the two teams this season have not gone well for the Staggies by and large, with a drab goalless draw at Dens Park – best remembered for frustration over a disallowed goal for James Brown – all County have to show for their efforts against Dundee.
On the other hand, with 12 points already separating County and Dundee in the table, Tony Docherty’s men may represent the best hope County have of a rival taking their foot off the gas before the season is out, making them eminently more beatable.
When should we expect fixtures to be released?
With the postponement earlier this week between Dundee and Rangers, confirmation of the fixtures will likely come later than usual.
Last season, the final set of matches were confirmed on the Tuesday after round 33, so the same period of time after next Wednesday’s scheduled match at Dens Park would suggest a Friday morning announcement.
Regardless of when the schedule is confirmed, though, County fans should expect three home games and two away – against the teams either side of them in the Premiership standings right now.
