Raith Rovers seek revenge as Ayr eye second place

Can Scott Brown engineer a third win over Raith Rovers this season?

Scottish Championship: Raith Rovers v Ayr United

Date: Friday, 1 November Venue: Stark's Park, Kirkcaldy Kick-off: 19:45 GMT

Coverage: Live on BBC Scotland, iPlayer and BBC Sport website & app

Ayr United made a blistering start. Raith Rovers did the opposite.

The Championship rivals meet at Stark's Park with the visitors 10 points better off and looking to jump up to second place.

Rovers have only managed three wins, but one of those came against leaders Falkirk, which is typical of this often unpredictable division.

So, what can we expect under the lights in Kirkcaldy?

Can Ayr rediscover early groove?

Ayr have all the credentials of potential title winners, but recent setbacks against top-of-the-table rivals Falkirk and Livingston has slowed down their charge.

The Falkirk defeat was keenly felt as it was probably the only match of the season when performance levels fell into the disappointing category for Scott Brown's side.

The Livingston loss was slightly different. That was considered to be more about a couple of errors and Ayr were disappointed not to take anything from the game.

There is a sense that the Honest Men are searching for their early season groove, which is made all the tougher as they go into the second of three successive league games on the road.

Two draws, two wins and two defeats exactly mirrors the last six Championship outings for Rovers, but the visitors have the edge of two triumphs over the Fifers already in this campaign.

Both of those came at Somerset Park, with a late August league success quickly followed by Challenge Cup victory.

Fatigue a factor for busy Rovers?

For Rovers, patchy form is at least an improvement on a dismal opening for last season's runners-up.

New boss Neil Collins has managed two wins since he was finally appointed following the surprise sacking of Ian Murray, while they are unbeaten in four at home.

Could tiredness be an issue? This will be their third game in the space of six days. They beat Airdrieonians 1-0 on Tuesday, thanks to a goal from the other Scott Brown, while Ayr had the midweek off.

Rovers have only scored eight in the league compared to Ayr's 18, but improving form on their own pitch will have home fans believing again.

Top two in for the long haul?

There is a lot of football to be played and a real feeling that there will be ups and downs along the way for all sides. There is no obvious 'giant' to swat aside the rest.

Will Falkirk falter at some point? Surely it will be difficult for John McGlynn's side to maintain their incredible form without a blip or two.

They seem to still be riding the crest of the wave on which they swept to glory in League One. They look like a squad building and learning all the time. It's a great story after languishing in the third tier for too long.

The big surprise so far is Livingston. They were rarely mentioned as contenders following their relegation from the Premiership, but they were sailing along serenely in second place under the canny stewardship of David Martindale until their own midweek blip away to Dunfermline Athletic.