Dunfermline face Inverness CT in key Championship encounter

Dunfermline, unbeaten in five matches, welcome fifth-placed Inverness CT to East End Park on Saturday as both sides look to strengthen their positions in the Scottish Championship.

Dunfermline Athletic prepare to host Inverness Caledonian Thistle this Saturday aiming to extend their five-match unbeaten streak in the Scottish Championship. The Pars sit fourth in the table with 21 points from 12 games, four points behind leaders Partick Thistle.

MacLeod scored the decisive goal in the 76th minute, his second in two matches following his winner against Queen's Park. The team's recent form shows two wins and three draws from their last five outings, a run that has solidified their top-four standing.

Inverness CT's strong form

Inverness CT arrive at East End Park in fifth place, having won three of their last four matches. Their recent victories include a 2-0 win away to Raith Rovers and a 2-0 home success against Arbroath. Their only defeat in that period was a narrow 2-1 loss to Queen's Park on the road. Inverness are just one point behind Dunfermline, making this a direct contest for a top-four spot.

Head-to-head history

The last meeting between these sides ended in a goalless draw at the Caledonian Stadium on August 1. That result continued a closely contested recent history, with both teams demonstrating defensive resilience in their previous encounter. In the last five meetings, Dunfermline have won two, Inverness CT have won one, and two matches have ended in draws.

Team news and lineups

Dunfermline's lineup for the Stenhousemuir victory featured Oxborough in goal, with a back four of Lobban, Donnelly, Abdulai and Fraser. The midfield trio of Oyirwoth, Amade and Cooper provided the platform for attackers MacLeod, Adams and Tod. Inverness CT's last starting eleven included Munro between the posts, with a defensive unit of MacLeod, Savage, Smith and Shinnie. Their midfield and attack featured Allan, MacGregor, Sole, Stewart, Stewart and Bavidge. Ferguson confirmed that midfielder Charlie Gilmour is a doubt due to a minor knock sustained in training.

With a goal difference of plus four, having scored 10 and conceded six this season, Dunfermline's defensive solidity will be tested by an Inverness side with recent scoring form. The match kicks off at 3pm on Saturday at East End Park. Dunfermline's next assignment after this is another home fixture as they continue their push up the Championship table.