Arbroath face a difficult task to reverse their recent form when they host Raith Rovers in the Scottish Championship on Saturday 31 October. The Gayfield Park side have lost their last three matches and sit eighth in the table with 11 points from 11 games.

Their most recent outing was a 2-0 defeat away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle on October 17. Calum MacLeod opened the scoring in the 39th minute before Adam Bavidge added a second three minutes later. That result continued a concerning trend, with Arbroath having conceded 17 goals while scoring only seven all season, leaving them with a -10 goal difference.

Recent struggles

Arbroath's form over the last five league games reads one win and four losses. The sole victory was a 2-1 home win over Queen's Park on September 25, which was followed by defeats to Partick Thistle, Morton, and Inverness. The team's defensive frailties have been a particular issue, conceding three goals at Firhill and two at home to Morton.

In that 2-1 loss to Morton, MacIntyre scored a consolation goal early in the second half, assisted by McKenna. But an own goal just two minutes later proved decisive. You can review the team's full fixtures and recent results.

The Raith challenge

Saturday's visitors, Raith Rovers, present a stern challenge. They arrive with a mixed bag of results from their last four, including a 1-1 draw at Stenhousemuir and a 2-0 win over Queen's Park. The head-to-head record this season also makes for grim reading for Arbroath fans, with Raith winning the September meeting 4-0 at Stark's Park.

Arbroath's starting lineup from the Inverness defeat is likely to see changes as the management looks for a response. That side featured Ali McCann in goal, with a back four of Paterson, O'Brien, Beadling, and Watson. The midfield trio was Flynn, Reid, and MacIntyre, with McKenna, Dow, and Reilly in attack.

Raith, meanwhile, fielded Rae in goal last time out, with a defence including Rowe and Hanlon. Their attack is spearheaded by the experienced Oakley, supported by Tiffoney.

Looking ahead

Before focusing fully on the Raith game, Arbroath have a midweek trip to face Livingston on October 24. Livingston are currently sixth, just above Arbroath in the standings. The last meeting between the sides ended in a 1-0 victory for Arbroath at Gayfield back in August. The squad will be aiming to tighten up at the back and find a cutting edge in front of goal to turn their season around.