Both Saints and Killie have suffered from postponements in the last week, with our games against Aberdeen and Hamilton biting the dust along with the midweek game between Kilmarnock and Celtic. It makes a bit of a mockery of the SPL's undersoil heating rule when games are still called off when the pitches are fine, but it does mean neither manager has to worry about having their players tired out by a busy festive period.
Kilmarnock are one of just two teams currently below us in the SPL table, although we have goal difference to thank for that rather than a superior points tally. We have managed to beat them twice, in the League and League Cup, so there it's arguably the best fixture we could have had to start off 2010. We desperately need a win after going without one since October, and a rare home league win would be most welcome. 2009 was a bit of a disaster all round, apart from the cup form, and there would be no better way to put it behind us than taking three points from the first game of the year. If we got that then maybe, just maybe, things will begin to look up. If we don't, pressure will increase on Gus MacPherson and most fans will come to the conclusion that Preston are welcome to him.
There is an outside chance that Andy Dorman will be back from injury for this one and could even start. His return would be more than welcome as we have taken just one point in his absence. There's a chance he could leave during January and he almost certainly will in the summer, so hopefully he'll use what remains of his time at the club as a chance to put himself in the shop window and produce some good performances. If he returns he'll probably replace Michael Higdon, who is still suspended due to the postponements, with Billy Mehmet moving up front. Mehmet will join Craig Dargo there regardless of Dorman's involvement, but if the Welshman misses out I'd expect to see Stephen O'Donnell or Steven Robb (or both) handed rare starts.
One player who definitely will be back is Jack Ross, who missed the Perth disaster against St. Johnstone as he was unwell. Ross was outstanding for us last season but has failed to reach those highs this term, so hopefully the rest will have done him good. Lee Mair is the most likely player to make way for him and I'm going to predict Mo Camara will be handed his first start of the season in place of David Barron. Chris Smith, Tom Brighton and Allan Johnston are all missing, but Higdon's suspension could see Dennis Wyness - back from his loan spell at Queen of the South - make it on to the bench for the first time this season.
Kilmarnock are struggling as they are working under financial constraints that are even tighter than the ones we have endured in recent years. A debt of nearly £10million is now taking its toll and you have to wonder how they plan on ever clearing it. As a result, Jim Jeffries hasn't been able to bring in too many new players this season, with Mark Burchill probably the most notable - and even he is only on a short term contract. They do have a number of good players though, with Danny Invincible, David Fernandez and Mehdi Taouil all capable of providing some flair, while Craig Bryson is a bit like Dorman in midfield.
There is much speculation that Kevin Kyle will leave Kilmarnock during the transfer window and John Potter probably hopes it happens today, as the Saints captain must still be having nightmares of the way the giant striker destroyed him at the end of last season. Kyle has a superb scoring record against us, scoring four goals in three games, and it's probably no coincidence we won when he missed the league game in August. 15 goals since arriving at Rugby Park a year ago is a fantastic return. His contract is up in the summer when he will almost certainly leave, but keeping him for that long will be a battle for Jeffries and co. I'll be shocked, and disappointed, if he's still there come the end of the transfer window, and if he leaves it'll be a major blow to Killie's hopes of survival. Still, they do have former Saint Allan Russell back from his latest injury problems and he is capable of turning it on - especially against his former clubs.