Queen's Park face a significant test of their Championship credentials this Saturday when they host Dunfermline Athletic at The City Stadium. The match offers a chance to arrest a slide in form that has left the Spiders 10th in the table with just seven points from 11 games, a record of two wins, one draw and eight losses.
Recent form a concern
Their recent record is a major worry. The 2-0 loss away to Morton last Friday was their fourth defeat in five league outings. That sequence has seen them concede 10 goals while scoring only three, leaving them with a goal difference of minus 12. Their overall season tally is six goals scored and 18 conceded. The solitary bright spot in that run was a 2-1 home win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle, where Connolly scored a decisive brace. Connolly is likely to be a key figure again, having also started the defeat at Cappielow alongside the likes of Dom Thomas, Charlie Fox and Ruari Paton. Their recent form over the last five matches is one win and four losses.
The Dunfermline challenge
Dunfermline arrive in Glasgow sitting sixth, a full 10 points ahead of their hosts. They are unbeaten in their last two Championship matches, drawing 0-0 with Livingston and 1-1 with Ayr United. The Pars also have recent history on their side, having beaten Queen's Park 2-0 at East End Park in the sides' last meeting on Saturday 12 September.
A must-win atmosphere
The gap to the league leaders, Stenhousemuir, is already 16 points, making the battle to climb away from the lower reaches of the standings the immediate priority. The team showed they can score at home against Inverness, and replicating that attacking intent from the first whistle will be key. They will have a chance for immediate revenge when they host Dunfermline again on Saturday 24 October.
Kick-off at The City Stadium is set for 3pm on Saturday, with both sides aiming to build momentum as the Championship season approaches its midpoint.
