St Mirren make the short journey to Cappielow tomorrow to face Renfrewshire rivals Greenock Morton in the first derby of the season.

Saints faced their rivals four times last season with each side picking up a win, while the other two matches ended in 1-1 draws. 

Last season's first derby took place at the Paisley 2021 Stadium on the opening day of the season as a late John Sutton header rescued a point for the Saints after Thomas O'Ware had given Morton the lead. 

St Mirren's 17 year unbeaten derby record came to an end in November when Morton overcame the Buddies 3-1 in Greenock. O'Ware was on the scoresheet again with follow up strikes from Ross Forbes and Gary Oliver securing three points before Ben Gordon scored a late consolation for Saints. 

There was more derby disappointment for the Buddies in the final meeting of the two in 2016 as 93rd minute Ricki Lamie goal denied Saints all three points after Gary MacKenzie headed St Mirren into a first half lead. 

Saints gained a measure of revenge in the last meeting between the sides in April as the Buddies ventured to Greenock with hopes of climbing off out of the relegation play-off spot. And they did just that with goals from Stelios, Stevie Mallan, John Sutton and MacKenzie seeing the Saints triumph 4-1 on their way to Championship survival.

The Buddies come in to tomorrow's match on the back of a strong 3-1 win over Falkirk last weekend in the opening day of the Ladbrokes Championship. Falkirk took an early lead through Nathan Austin, but Stelios scored his first of the season to get Saints back on level terms. Cammy Smith capitalised on a goalkeeper error early in the second half to put St Mirren ahead before Gavin Reilly made it four goals in five with a tidy finish. 

Morton's league campaign began with a 0-0 draw away to Dumbarton. However, the consensus was that the Ton were unlucky not to come away with three points after late saves from ex-Saints goalkeeper Scott Gallacher. The Greenock side also missed out on qualification to the last 16 in the Betfred Cup after finishing second on 8 points. They picked up two wins in Group F, defeating Berwick Rangers and Edinburgh City, while they drew with 2-2 with Queens Park and lost 4-0 to Motherwell. 

Jim Duffy has strengthened his squad over the summer after seeing the likes of Jamie Lindsay, Aidan Nesbitt and Lawrence Shankland's loans expiring. Bob McHugh joined the Greenock outfit from fellow Championship side Falkirk, while Gary Harkins signed for the Ton after leaving Ayr United.

Dumbarton duo Darren Barr and Robert Thomson both made the switch over the River Clyde to join Jim Duffy's team after their contracts with the Sons expired. Conor McManus was picked up as a free agent after he left Celtic and Australian Jack Irelade joined on a six month deal. 

Meanwhile, Saints completed a deal to sign ex-Falkirk and Hibernian striker Darryl Duffy yesterday, with the 33 year-old going into the squad for tomorrow's match subject to SFA approval. The Buddies are likely to go in to tomorrow's match with roughly the same squad as last week. 

St Mirren will look to claim the bragging rights at the first derby of the season and build upon a winning start last weekend. Morton too will be after those bragging rights alongside the chance to get a first league win of the season on the board. With around 1800 Saints fans expected at tomorrow's match and a healthy home crowd it's all set up to be an exciting occasion. 

The curtain is raised for a new Ladbrokes Championship season tomorrow as St Mirren host Falkirk at the Paisley 2021 Stadium. 

The Buddies spent most of last season seemingly destined for the drop, even sitting eight points adrift at the foot of the table going into March. But Jack Ross' side roared back, winning seven of their last 13 matches to secure survival and finish in seventh place. 

St Mirren opened the 2016/17 season with a 1-1 draw against Renfrewshire rivals Morton at home. Thomas O'Ware gave the visitors a first half lead before John Sutton rose above the Ton defence to nod home a from a Lewis Morgan cross to gain a point for the Saints. 

The Buddies haven't won an opening day match since 2006 when second half goals from Stewart Kean and John Sutton saw the Buddies come from behind to defeat Inverness Caley Thistle. 

Falkirk's 2016/17 campaign began with 2-1 loss to eventual champions Hibernian at the Falkirk Stadium. Jason Cummings put Hibs ahead with just two minutes played before Craig Sibbald equalised seven minutes later.  But Cummings popped up in the second half to seal the win for the Hibees. 

It's been a busy summer for Saints with the signings of Gavin Reilly, Ross Stewart, Ross Stewart, Dale Hilson, Ian McShane, Jordan Kirkpatrick, Gregor Buchanan, Harry Davis, Craig Samson and Cammy Smith coming in. Stevie Mallan was the big loss for Saints as the youth academy graduate moved to English Championship side Barnsley. Norwegian Pål Fjelde left the club along with Ben Gordon, Andy Webster and Jordan Stewart, while Billy O'Brien and Rory Loy's loan spells ended. 

Falkirk have seen Fraser Aird, Luke Leahy, John Baird, David McCracken, Bob McHugh and Craig Sibbald leave since the end of last season. The Bairns haven't been too proactive in the transfer window with just three players coming in thus far. Goalkeeper David Mitchell joined from Dundee, along with ex-Saints loanee Rory Loy, while Alex Harris has also signed up after leaving Hibernian. 

Wins over League One sides Stranraer and Airdrieonians weren't enough for the Buddies to progress to the next round of the Betfred Cup as losses to Livingston and Partick Thistle meant Saints ended on six points. Whereas Falkirk took 12 points from 12 in their Betfred Cup group as they overcame Inverness, Stirling Albion, Brechin City and Forfar to set up a last-16 tie against Livingston. 

The last match between the two came in April as Rory Loy and Stephen McGinn put St Mirren ahead twice at the Falkirk Stadium with Lee Miller and Bob McHugh helping the Bairns on to a point. 

Ahead of the match, Saints were boosted by the news that manager Jack Ross and James Fowler have signed contract extensions that tie them to the club until 2020. 

Tomorrow's encounter should prove to be an intriguing contest with two sides with aspirations of promotion coming face-to-face. A large crowd will be expected with Saints looking to carry on the momentum from last season's end into the new season and get that first opening day win in 11 years. Falkirk, however, will be looking to go one further this campaign after missing out on promotion via the play-offs again. 

St Mirren's Betfred Cup campaign comes to a close tomorrow as the Buddies host Airdrieonians at the Paisley 2021 Stadium. 

Regardless of tomorrow's result neither side can qualify, effectively rendering the match meaningless. But Saints won't enter tomorrow's match with that mindset as they look to build towards the Ladbrokes Championship opening day fixture against Falkirk and secure a third place finish. 

The Buddies defeated Stranraer 4-1 at Stair Park in the opening match of Group H. First half strikes from Gavin Reilly, Ross Stewart and Lewis Morgan were added to by a debut goal from Gregor Buchanan as St Mirren came from behind to pick up three points. However, a 1-0 loss to Livingston and a 5-0 defeat at Firhill against Partick Thistle ended Saints hopes of progressing to the last 16. 

Airdrieonians also started off Group H with victory over Stranraer. An Andy Ryan penalty was sandwiched between a double from Cameron Russell before the Blues scored a late consolation goal. Goals from Dylan Mackin and Craig Halkett either side of half time saw Livingston overcome the League One side before a narrow 2-1 defeat against Partick Thistle ended their chances of qualifying. 

St Mirren haven't faced the Lanarkshire side in competitive football since a 2-1 win in 2006 at Love Street in the old First Division. John Sutton was at the double as the Saints closed in on promotion to the then Scottish Premier League. The Buddies have won five of the last six encounters between the two teams with just one loss in 19. 

Saints will be looking to make amends for last weekend's loss to Partick Thistle, while ended the group on a high ahead of the league campaign kicking-off next weekend. Kyle Magennis, Adam Eckersley, Josh Todd and Dale Hilson remain out for St Mirren, while Conor O'Keefe is a doubt after an injury picked up in training. Full back Stelios Demetriou returns to the squad after missing out last week due to suspension. 

Airdrieonians are still without a permanent manager after Mark Wilson left the club in June. Coach Donald Jennow will continue to take charge of the side as the curtain comes down on the Betfred Cup for both sides. 

St Mirren travel to Maryhill tomorrow as they face Partick Thistle in the Betfred Cup. 

It's been a mixed bag for Saints in their first two matches with one win and one loss.

The Buddies opened their Betfred Cup campaign with a 4-1 win away to Stranraer last weekend. Ex-St Mirren midfielder Scott Agnew gave the Blues an early lead before goals from Gavin Reilly, Ross Stewart and Lewis Morgan had Saints ahead at the interval. Gregor Buchanan scored his first St Mirren goal early in the second half to put the game beyond doubt and seal three points. 

Livingston came to the Paisley 2021 Stadium on Tuesday night and left with all three points after a second minute strike from Dale Carrick secured the Lions a 1-0 victory over the Buddies. 

Premiership opponents Partick have only played one match in the Betfred Cup so far - a 1-1 draw with Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena last Saturday. Chris Erskine gave the Jags the lead on 14 minutes, with Keaghan Jacobs equalising for the hosts a minute into the second half. The match went to penalties with Livi picking up the bonus point after goalkeeper Neil Alexander saved from Christie Elliot, Blair Spittal and Kris Doolan.

Alan Archibald hasn't had too much to do in the transfer market thus far. The Thistle manager has recruited Blair Spittal from Dundee United and signed Niall Keown permanently from Reading after a successful loan spell at the club last season. 19 year-old prospect Jamie Sneddon has also joined from Cowdenbeath.

Strikers David Amoo and Ade Adeez both left the Jags to join Cambridge United, while highly thought of defender Liam Lindsay departed the Glasgow club to join English Championship side Barnsley. Sean Welsh also departed the club after five years when his contract expired. 

Tomorrow's meeting will be the first time the two have met since Partick defeated Saints 2-1 at the Paisley 2021 Stadium in January 2016 to reach the last 16 of the Scottish Cup. Second half goals from Dan Seaborne and David Amoo put the Jags in control and a late Keith Watson strike for Saints was nothing more than a consolation. 

The last time the two faced each other at Firhill came over two years ago when Ryan Stevenson, Kris Doolan and Steven Lawless gave the home side an emphatic 3-0 win in the Ladbrokes Premiership. 

The Jags also came out on top the last time the teams met in the League Cup. An extra time goal from Nathan Eccleston in September 2014 was enough to secure a 1-0 for Alan Archibald's side and saw them progress to the quarter finals. 

Saints did win at Firhill in league competition in 2015 when an early James Dayton goal saw the Buddies triumph 1-0. 

A win for St Mirren tomorrow would give qualification hopes a real shot in the arm ahead of the final match of Group H against Airdrieonians on Saturday 29th July. For Partick, they'll be looking to ensure that they don't fall further behind in their bid to reach the last 16 of the competition. 

The match is pay-at-the-gate with prices at £12 for adults and £6 for concessions. For matchday info click here. 

St Mirren play their first home match of the new season this evening when David Hopkin brings his Livingston side to The Paisley 2021 Stadium for a Group H match in the Betfred Cup.

Saints got their campaign off to the perfect start on Saturday when they ran out 4-1 winners away to Stranraer.  The home side took an early lead when former Buddie, Scott Agnew put Stranraer ahead but Gavin Reilly pulled Saints level again on 27 minutes when he scored his first goal for the club. Four minutes later striker Ross Stewart netted his first goal for Saints too and then five minutes before the half-time break Lewis Morgan stretched the lead with a long-range shot that flew into the back of the net. The three points were sealed on 56 minutes when Gregor Buchanan scored his first goal for St Mirren.

Meanwhile over in Livingston, last season’s League One Champions gave Premiership side Partick Thistle a tough outing at The Tony Macaroni Arena. Chris Erskine fired The Jags into the lead early in the first half but Livi struck back right at the start of the second half when Keaghan Jacobs netted for the home side. There was to be no more scoring in the ninety minutes but Livi secured an all important bonus point by winning the penalty shoot-out.

This evening’s meeting between St Mirren and Livingston will see the sides go head to head for the third season running in the League Cup. Two season’s ago Saints hosted Livi in Paisley where goals from Calum Gallagher and Stevie Mallan weren’t enough to stop Livi taking the win thanks to goals from Liam Buchanan, Danny Mullen and a late winner from Declan Gallagher. Last season Saints made the trip through to Almondvale where another five goal thriller was put on display. David Clarkson gave Saints the lead just ahead of the 15 minute mark but strikes early in the second half from Nicky Cadden and Dale Carrick put Livi into the lead. St Mirren weren’t to be denied the win though as Lewis Morgan got Saints back on level terms before Clarkson was on target again with a late strike.

St Mirren go into tonight’s match sitting on top of Group H a point ahead of tonight’s visitors. Matches between Saints and Livi are strange affairs as the home side never seems to win! Saints will be looking to buck that trend at The Paisley 2021 Stadium this evening as they hope to strengthen their position ahead of Saturday’s match at Firhill while David Hopkin’s men will be out to prove that Saturday’s result against Partick Thistle was no fluke.

Tickets for this evening's match at The Paisley 2021 Stadium are £12 for adults and £6 for concessions. Tickets are on sale from the St Mirren Ticket Office right up till kick-off. For the matchday info click here.

The 2017/18 season gets underway for St Mirren tomorrow as they travel to Stranraer in the first match of Group H in the Betfred Cup. 

It's the first competitive match for Saints following last season's dramatic end, with Ladbrokes Championship survival confirmed on the final day. 

A 1-1 draw with Hibernian was enough to see the Buddies avoid a relegation play-off spot and end the campaign in seventh place.

St Mirren's cup form was a bright spot in what was a difficult season with the side reaching the IRN-BRU Cup final and the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup last season.

However, the Buddies narrowly failed to qualify from the Betfred Cup groups on goal difference. Wins over Livingston, Ayr United and Edinburgh City saw the St Mirren finish with nine points, but it was United who progressed ahead of the Saints by virtue of being one goal better off.

Like Saints, Stranraer also finished third in a tough group that contained Premiership sides Rangers and Motherwell. 

Pre-season for Jack Ross' side has saw emphatic wins over Inverness Clachnacuddin and Nairn County, while there was a 3-1 defeat to Dundee at the Paisley 2021 Stadium before a goalless draw against Alloa last weekend. 

Tomorrow's hosts also won two, drew one and lost won with victories over Larne and Partick Thistle, a draw with Dumbarton and defeat to Dutch side FC Twente. 

The manager has been busy in the transfer market with new signing Ian McShane, who officially put pen to paper on a two-year deal yesterday, in line to feature against the League One side. 

Jordan Kirkpatrick, Ross Stewart, Ross Stewart, Gavin Reilly, Dale Hilson, Gregor Buchanan, Cammy Smith and Craig Samson have also joined the Buddies this summer. 

Hilson is set to miss out for Saints due to injury, but the rest could be set for their St Mirren debuts tomorrow. Josh Todd is ruled out due to a dislocated shoulder, while Kyle Magennis and Adam Eckersley both remain out. 

Saints will come up against a few familiar faces with David Barron and Scott Agnew part of the Stranraer squad. The Blues' Kyle Turner - the son of ex-St Mirren captain Tommy Turner - also spent time in the St Mirren youth academy. 

St Mirren finished the 2016/17 campaign on a high and the memory of the 1-1 draw at Easter Road that secured survival is sure to live on in the memories of Saints supporters for a long time.

There's a feeling of excitement around the Buddies and a win tomorrow would be the perfect way to get things underway for the season ahead.

St Mirren travel to Edinburgh tomorrow looking to secure their Ladbrokes Championship status as they face Hibernian at Easter Road.

The hosts have already won the Ladbrokes Championship, landing it on 15 April thanks to their win over Queen of the South and a helping hand from the Buddies who drew 2-2 with Falkirk. Tomorrow sees the Hibees presented with the title in front of a near sold out Easter Road. Nearly 2000 Saints supporters are expected in the capital tomorrow to cheer on their side. 

The Buddies take on Neil Lennon's side knowing that a win or draw mean the Saints will be playing their football in the Championship next season.

The first meeting of the two came in Paisley back in August with Jason Cummings at the double helping the visitors win 2-0. 

St Mirren would come out on top when the sides met again in October, this time at Easter Road in the IRN-BRU Cup, with goals from Stevie Mallan and David Clarkson seeing the Buddies overcome Hibs 2-1 after Alex Harris had given the home side the lead. 

Hibernian would gain a measure of revenge three weeks later when Saints made the trip through to Edinburgh again. Jack Ross was now in situ as manager, but it wasn't enough to prevent a home win with first half goals from Martin Boyle and Grant Holt doing the damage. 

It's been a long road to this point with St Mirren rooted to the bottom the last time the two sides met. Jack Ross and his players welcomed Hibernian to the Paisley 2021 Stadium a little over two months ago sitting eight point adrift at the foot of the table. A double from Cypriot full back Stelios Demetriou secured a 2-0 win for the home side, cutting the gap to just five points and Saints haven't looked back since. 

The Buddies have won five of their last 10 league matches since that win with the 5-0 triumph over Raith Rovers last weekend ensuring that the Buddies can't finish bottom of the table. Meanwhile, Hibs defeated bottom Ayr United 4-0 at Somerset Park meaning that the Honest Men have to defeat ninth placed Raith by 5-0 or more to avoid automatic relegation. Anything other than a Raith win will mean that St Mirren will avoid the play-offs regardless of the result at Easter Road. 

A long season for the Saints could be set to come to an end tomorrow. However, if results go against St Mirren it will mean a play-off place against the team that finishes fourth in League One, with the first leg taking place on Wednesday night. One last push required, come on you saints!

St Mirren could guarantee not finishing bottom of the Ladbrokes Championship when they host Raith Rovers tomorrow in a must win game.

A win for the Saints would see them leapfrog the Kirkcaldy side heading into the final match of the season. And with Raith facing current bottom side Ayr United on the final day, a Buddies victory tomorrow would mean that they cannot finish in 10th place.

The Buddies have faced Raith Rovers three times this season only managing a win on one occasion. Jack Ross was in charge for the last two meetings between the sides which saw him win one and lose one.

The first meeting between the two sides came back in August and saw visitors St Mirren suffer a 3-1 defeat. Declan McManus opened the scoring after 17 minutes. Ross Callachan then doubled the Rovers’ lead on the 50th minute before McManus scored his second and Raith’s third just a minute later. Rangers loanee Ryan Hardie pulled one back for the Saints just after the hour mark, but it wasn't enough to stir a Saints comeback.

Jack Ross had taken over as St Mirren manager when Raith Rovers travelled to the Paisley 2021 Stadium for the second league match between the sides. The Buddies, who had just picked up their first league win of the season a few days earlier, made it back-to-back triumphs with a goal from Lewis Morgan early on in the second half securing all three points.

The last clash between the two relegation rivals saw the Saints travel to Kirkcaldy to face Raith at Stark’s Park. Hardie, back on loan at Rovers after his spell at St Mirren, scored a double late on in the second half to give his side an important victory.

Despite coming off the back off a frustrating defeat to Dundee United last week, Jack Ross’ side will be confident going into tomorrow’s game following a great run of form aside from the Tannadice hiccup. The Buddies have won four of their last seven league matches and lost only two of their last 10.

It has all the makings of a tense and exciting game as both teams know a win will see them avoid finishing at the foot of the table ahead of the final day.

St Mirren visit the City of Discovery tomorrow in the hope of finding three points in their quest for survival in the Ladbrokes Championship.

The Buddies fine league form continued last weekend away to Falkirk as goals from Rory Loy and Stephen McGinn helped the Saints to a 2-2 draw – extending the unbeaten run in the league to seven matches.

Jack Ross’ side have won six of their last 10 league matches, making them the form side in the division. Three of those six wins have come on the road with Saints seeing off Ayr United, Queen of the South and Morton. 

Dundee United come into tomorrow's match unbeaten in their last three - picking up a win against Dunfermline and draws with Falkirk and Ayr United. 

Jack's first match in charge of St Mirren came back in October when United visited the Paisley 2021 Stadium. It wasn't to be a winning start for the manager though as goals from Scott Fraser and Tony Andreu saw the Tangerines run out 2-0 winners.

The two teams met again on Christmas Eve with Saints at Tannadice for the first time since November 2014. United came out on top again despite John Sutton firing the Buddies into a first half lead. Fraser equalised for the home side just a minute after the Englishman’s goal before Simon Murray grabbed the winner on the stroke of half time.

St Mirren came out on top by the odd goal in five when United visited Paisley in March. Harry Davis gave Saints an early lead, before Andreu equalised. Stevie Mallan put the hosts back in front when he caught out Cammy Bell at the near post with a well taken free kick. Lewis Morgan gave the Buddies a two goal cushion when he slammed the ball home in the second half. United cut the deficit when Andreu scored his third in three games against St Mirren, but it couldn't stop the Buddies deservedly picking up a valuable three points.

The two would face off against each other in the IRN-BRU Cup final last month. Andreu was at it again for United when he scored a stunning volley, only for Loy to put Saints level less than a minute later when he swept home a Gary Irvine cross. However, it proved to be United's day as Thomas Mikkelsen grabbed the winner with 15 minutes to go.

Only three matches remain in the Ladbrokes Championship with St Mirren sitting in eighth, level on points with Dumbarton who occupy the relegation play-off spot. With Raith Rovers not in action tomorrow, a win for the Saints would see them move up into seventh. For United, their aim will be to amass as many points as they can in their last three games in the hope of overtaking Falkirk to reach second place.

St Mirren make the trip to Falkirk on Saturday afternoon as they face Peter Houston's side at the Falkirk stadium in another key game.

The Buddies head into tomorrow's fixture in a fine run of form win four wins out of the last five league games.

Tomorrow's match will be the fourth meeting of the sides this season with Saints yet to get one over the Bairns.

Falkirk visited the Paisley 2021 stadium on the 1st October in their first meeting of the season. Tom Walsh’s 87th minute equaliser gained The Buddies an important point after Craig Sibbald’s ninth minute goal gave the visitors the lead.

In their second fixture of the season St Mirren took the lead as Lewis Morgan scored half way through the first half. However, Falkirk came back in the second half with a goal from Lee Miller, and two late strikes from Bob McHugh and Myles Hippolyte in an eventful game which saw red for Jack Baird.

Their last encounter came at the end of January with The Bairns making their second visit of the season to Paisley. John Baird was at the double for the away side as they closed out the month with a 2-1 win. St Mirren’s Rory Loy gave the side late hope in the 77th minute but it was to no avail as Falkirk came out the victors.

The Saints last win over the The Bairns came in the 2009/10 season with a 3-1 away win in the Scottish Premier League. Goals from Craig Dargo, Billy Mehmet and Tom Brighton sealed three points at the Falkirk Stadium back in October 2009.

The Buddies head in to the game after a huge derby win on Tuesday night. They earned a 4-1 victory, the first derby triumph of the season, with Stelios Demetriou, Stevie Mallan, John Sutton and Gary MacKenzie on the score sheet. On the other hand Peter Houstin’s side come in to the game in a mixed bag of form with three wins, a draw and two defeats. Last time out they shared the points in a 1-1 draw with Dundee United after a late goal from Luke Leahy.

Both sides come in to the game aiming for the three points for different reasons. A win could take St Mirren above seventh place Dumbarton and boost Buddies survival hopes further after finally climbing away from the bottom two spots. While three points would help solidify Falkirk's attempt to finish in second place as they aim to secure promotion via the play-offs.