Ayr United FC v Partick Thistle FC Betting Tips [26 May 2023]

Partick Thistle have already set one foot in the Scottish Premiership play-off finals. They will look to defend a commanding 3-0 lead when they head to Somerset Park to take on Ayr United in the second leg of the play-off semi-finals. The first leg went exactly according to the script for the side that finished fourth in the Championship. Despite ending the season a point and two spots below their opponents, Partick Thistle shot out the blocks in the first leg, scoring inside 20 minutes, and never looked back. The visitors ended the season unbeaten in their last six matches and carried their form into the first play-offs where they beat Queen's Park 8-3 on aggregate. They've now scored 11 in their last three play-off matches. Partick Thistle's away form was average across the course of the season. However, they did finish the season well, losing just once in their last eight matches on the road. With excellent goalscoring form behind them, an early goal for the visitors could put this one to bed. 

Meanwhile, Ayr United have a mammoth task to overcome here. While it will take a huge effort to overturn a three-goal deficit, it certainly isn't impossible, as Sheffield Wednesday showed in the English League One semi-final last week. Ayr also ended their season strongly, unbeaten in their last five matches with two wins and three draws. They managed seven wins at home over the course of the season, which included a very good 4-2 win over this opponent back in October. Ayr have only won three matches by a margin of three or more goals this season. Two of those wins were against bottom-club Cove Rangers, and the other was over Queen's Park at the start of the season. The hosts cannot afford to concede early in this one, or it could become a long evening for them.

Partick have been incredible in the play-offs so far and will want to cap it off with another win before the finals. They're unbeaten against this opponent in their last four encounters, and with excellent goalscoring form, it would surprise us if they grab a few more in this one. We fancy the visitors to avoid a defeat here. Our Ayr United v Partick Thistle prediction: Double chance - A draw or Partick Thistle to win.