Preview Raith Rovers

Scottish Championship (home) v Raith Rovers Wednesday 3rd February 2021, 7.45pm kick off behind closed doors at East End Park.

Wednesday will be just the third Raith Rovers visit to East End Park on league duty since 2nd January 2013. Every Derby match is important but with the Kirkcaldy side sitting level on points but above the Pars on goal difference and with a game on hand, a home win would be very welcome.

At the midpoint of the shortened 2020-2021 season both the Pars and the Rovers sit in play off places and so this is an important fixture in the context of the season’s ambitions. It is the 100th Scottish League match between Dunfermline and Raith with Dunfermline ahead with 41 wins to the Rovers 33 with 25 drawn.

The best result was a 6-0 win in September 1962 when George Peebles hit a hat trick, Charlie Dickson a double and Alex Edwards scored. This scoreline was repeated on New Year`s Day 1968 when both Bert Paton and Hugh Robertson notched hattricks.

Milestones v Raith Rovers (home)

Last Home Victory | 08/04/17 | 1-0 | Championship
Last Home Defeat | 20/08/13 | 0-2 | Ramsden Cup
Best Home Victory | 08/09/62 | 6-0 | Division One (old)
Best Home Victory | 01/01/68 | 6-0 | Division One (old)
Worst Home Defeat | 19/11/27 | 0-4 | Division One (old)
Last Goalless Home Draw | 05/11/16 | 0-0 | Championship
First Ever Home Meeting | 10/02/23 | 0-3 | Scottish Cup

Raith Rovers have not won a league match at East End Park since August 2009, that’s eight league fixtures back. In the last twelve meetings Dunfermline have won six, Raith three and three have been drawn.

Last Twelve League Meetings

05/12/20 | A | Raith Rovers 2 Dunfermline 2 | D | Championship
19/01/19 | A | Raith Rovers 3 Dunfermline 0 | L | Scottish Cup
08/04/17 | H | Dunfermline 1 Raith Rovers 0| W | Championship
02/01/17 | A | Raith Rovers 0 Dunfermline 2 | W | Championship
05/12/16 | H | Dunfermline 0 Raith Rovers 0 | D | Championship
20/08/16 | A | Raith Rovers 2 Dunfermline 0 | L | Championship
05/08/14 | H | Dunfermline 1 Raith Rovers 0 | W | Challenge Cup
20/08/13 | H | Dunfermline 0 Raith Rovers 2 | L | Challenge Cup
16/03/13 | A | Raith Rovers 1 Dunfermline 1 | D | Division One
02/01/13 | H | Dunfermline 1 Raith Rovers 0 | W | Division One
17/11/12 | A | Raith Rovers 1 Dunfermline 3 | W | Division One
01/09/12 | H | Dunfermline 3 Raith Rovers 1 | W | Division One

Last time at East End Park

Saturday 8th April 2017, Championship

Dunfermline 1 Raith Rovers 0

John Hughes was in charge of the visitors and Iain Davidson is the only participant on either side to still be at their respective clubs. Interesting to note one Declan McManus as an unused Rovers sub.

The only goal of the match came from the penalty spot four minutes into the second half. A Michael Moffat pass let Paul McMullan chase into the Raith box and when he was taken down by Jason Thomson, referee Andrew Dallas pointed to the spot. Kallum HIGGINBOTHAM used the same run up as against Hibs the previous week but stuck the ball away to the keeper`s left. 1-0

DUNFERMLINE: Sean Murdoch: Andy Geggan (c), Callum Morris, Lee Ashcroft, Jason Talbot: Kallum Higginbotham, Nat Wedderburn, Rhys McCabe, Paul McMullan (Joe Cardle 89): Michael Moffat, Nicky Clark.
SUBS NOT USED: Ryan Williamson, Michael Paton, Gavin Reilly, Lewis Martin, Lewis Spence, Cammy Gill (GK)

RAITH ROVERS: Pavol Penska: Jason Thomson, Jean-Yves Mvoto, Craig Barr, Kevin McHattie: Rudi Skacel (Jonathan Court 86), Iain Davidson, Jordan Thompson (Bobby Barr 78), Chris Johnston, Daniel Handling, Ryan Hardie
SUBS NOT USED: Declan McManus, Scott Roberts, David McKay, Conor Brennan (GK).

Recent Form

Dunfermline’s defeat at Tynecastle was just their second of the season and their first away defeat since 11th January 2020. They have drawn four of their last six matches.

Raith Rovers have had their ups and downs of late. After taking just two points from a possible nine they thumped Alloa 5-2 away from home. Then they lost at home to Queen of the South before going to Tynecastle and winning there. Hearts reaped their revenge in the midweek return but then they had an impressive home win over Dundee.

DUNFERMLINE
Hearts (A) L 0-1
Ayr United (H) D 0-0
Morton (A) D 0-0
Inverness Caley Thistle (A) D 1-1
Arbroath (H) W 1-0
Dundee (A) D 3-3

RAITH ROVERS
Dundee (H) W 3-1
Hearts (H) L 0-4
Hearts (A) W 3-2
Queen of the South (H) L 0-2
Alloa Athletic (A) W 5-2
Ayr United (A) D 0-0

Current League Stats

DUNFERMLINE
League Position: 3rd
League Points: 21
Goal Difference: +6
League Record: P13 W5 D6 L2 GF20 GA14
Last Six Match Form: DLDDWD

RAITH ROVERS
League Position: 2nd
League Points: 21
Goal Difference: +9
League Record: P12 W6 D3 L3 GF27 GA18
Last Six Match Form: DWLWLW

Above: Scott Banks made his Dunfermline debut midway through the second half at Tynecastle on Saturday

Last time Out

DUNFERMLINE (v Hearts): Owain Fôn Williams: Aaron Comrie, Paul Watson, Euan Murray (c), Josh Edwards: Lewis Mayo, Steven Whittaker (Lewis McCann 84): Ryan Dow, Iain Wilson, Fraser Murray (Scott Banks 68): Declan McManus (Kevin O’Hara 72)
SUBS NOT USED: Kyle Macdonald, Kerr McInroy, Matthew Todd, Cammy Gill (GK)

RAITH ROVERS (v Dundee): Jamie Macdonald: Reghan Tumilty, Frankie Musonda, Kyle Benedictus(Iain Davidson 58), Kieran Macdonald: Daniel Armstrong (Adam King 72), Brad Spencer, Dylan Tait, Kai Kennedy: Lewis Vaughan: Timmy Abraham (Manny Duku 78)
SUBS NOT USED: Fernandy Meney, Jack Smith, Quinn Coulson, Robbie Thomson (GK).

Referee will be Colin Steven

Other Championship Fixtures on Wednesday

Arbroath v Inverness Caley Thistle

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