Scottish Premiership Play-Off Quarter-Final: Ayr United vs Partick Thistle

When: Friday, 9 May, 19:45 BST Where: Somerset Park Coverage: Watch live on BBC Scotland, BBC Sport website & app

As the Scottish Premiership play-off quarter-final reaches its climax, Ayr United and Partick Thistle are set for a decisive encounter at Somerset Park. With Ayr holding a narrow 1-0 lead from the first leg, the pressure is on Partick Thistle to overturn the deficit and secure a spot in the semi-finals.

The Stakes Are High

Partick Thistle's co-manager and captain, Brian Graham, remains optimistic about his team's chances. Despite the loss in the first leg, Graham believes Thistle has what it takes to win and advance. "The game is all to play for, it's still there," he said. "We go down there and we win and we get ourselves into the semi-final. That's the feeling within the camp."

Ayr United's Dilemma

Ayr United, on the other hand, faces a tactical quandary. With a slim lead, do they defend it or push for more goals? Veteran winger Jamie Murphy, who scored the only goal in the first leg, is confident that Ayr's management team will have a solid game plan. "They have a different game plan each week," he explained. "We watched a lot of footage of them [Partick Thistle] over the last couple of weeks. We will watch the Tuesday match again and plan."

Key Players and Tactics

Partick Thistle might see the return of Logan Chalmers, whose fitness is rated 50-50. Graham is urging his players to be bold and take the game to Ayr. "We need to play on the front foot. We need to go and win the game," he emphasized.

What’s Next?

The winners of this tie will face Livingston in the semi-finals, with the ultimate prize being a place in the Scottish Premiership. The stakes couldn't be higher, and both teams are ready to give it their all.

Don’t miss this thrilling encounter, live on BBC Scotland and the BBC Sport website and app.