IT'S LE CRUNCH AS QUEENS BATTLE IT OUT WITH AIRDRIE

It's crunch time tomorrow as Queens battle it out with Airdrie United in a crucial relegation fixture. Defeat for Queens is unthinkable as it would open up a big points gap even although the Doonhamers have a game in hand. Queens have a full squad to pick from and Airdrie have recently strengthened their squad with the signing of Polish defender Lukaszewski.

This will not be an easy fixture as Airdrie have a fair old team as demonstrated agsinst Gretna last week at Raydale when they came away with a creditable draw. We are all hoping for a Queens win but our defence really worries me and last week the game could have been all over for us by half-time at Hamilton. McCall has very few options at the back but I would like to see Murray Henderson included in the starting eleven. The big man is teady in defence and poses a real threat to the opposition from set peaces with his height.

I am not as confident as some about a win but I would be happy with a draw and we can close the points gap with a win against Clyde the week after the Hibs cup-tie. As usuual a huge Queens away support is expected at Airdrie with around 500 expceted to travel. Let's hope the boys come home with a win which will set us up nicely for the Hibs game.



History of the Airdrie United v Queen of the South fixture

Queen o.t.S. face a trip to Airdrie United at Shyberry Excelsior Stadium on Saturday afternoon, hoping to improve upon an average previous return from this fixture. Of the 38 games played, The Doonhamers have recorded 9 wins, and Airdrie Utd. have come away with 19 victories.

The most recent encounter between these two sides was earlier this season, where the two teams cancelled each other out in an enthralling 2 - 2 draw in a Scottish Division One match.

For a detailed analysis of the head-to-head between the two sides, click here

Recent encounters between the teams:
2006/2007	Sat 16 Dec	Queen o.t.S.	1 - 1	Airdrie Utd.	SCD1
2006/2007	Sat 19 Aug	Airdrie Utd.	2 - 2	Queen o.t.S.	SCD1
2005/2006	Sat 08 Apr	Airdrie Utd.	1 - 1	Queen o.t.S.	SCD1
2005/2006	Sat 28 Jan	Queen o.t.S.	2 - 0	Airdrie Utd.	SCD1
2005/2006	Sat 03 Dec	Airdrie Utd.	4 - 0	Queen o.t.S.	SCD1
2005/2006	Sat 15 Oct	Queen o.t.S.	1 - 0	Airdrie Utd.	SCD1
2004/2005	Sat 05 Mar	Queen o.t.S.	0 - 0	Airdrie Utd.	SCD1

Recent respective form guides

Airdrie United have had an average home run of late, winning and losing 3 each of the last six games. The The Diamonds's have scored 6 goals in these games, but conceded an alarming 7.

Queen o.t.S. have an average recent record on the road, collecting 1 win and 3 draws from the last six played. Only 5 goals have been registered in this time, with 6 leaked at the wrong end.

Airdrie Utd. are hovering perilously just above the relegation zone, with 25 points from 25 matches. Queen o.t.S. find themselves stuck right at the bottom of the division. Their 24 games have yielded only 21 points.

For a detailed analysis of team form guides throughout the leagues, click here

Current form guides:	P	W	D	L	F	A	P
Airdrie Utd.	6	2	1	3	5	8	7
Queen o.t.S.	6	2	3	1	12	10	9

FootyMad's prediction ...

Queen o.t.S. are in a sorry state of late on their travels, though the Mad panel can see them coming away from Shyberry Excelsior Stadium with a well-deserved point. No-score draw

Sequence statistics:
Airdrie Utd.	13 games since last home draw. Not won in the 2 most recent games.
Queen o.t.S.	Not won in previous 4 away matches. 4 games since last defeat.