2024-25 William Hill Scottish Championship predictions: Thistle poised for top-flight return

Raith Rovers were involved in a thrilling two-way battle for glory last season and it looks like something similar may well unfold in the chase for the 2024-25 William Hill Scottish Championship title.

Rovers ultimately had to concede defeat to Dundee United in the battle for top spot and took their chances in the play-offs where they were well beaten by Ross County.

Having finished seventh a season before, however, there was a sense that Raith had actually overachieved in 2023-24 and have to take the positives out of a campaign that not too many had foreseen.

But after flirting with promotion, expect another strong showing at Stark's Park with Partick Thistle likely to be the club they are jostling with for top billing and an automatic ride up to the William Hill Premiership.

Partick's attacking quality could give them the edge

Certainly Raith shouldn't be fading from the scene with classy defensive recruits like Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson added to improve a team who kept eight clean sheets in their final 12 regular-season matches.

However, Partick's edge looks to be at the other end of the pitch and it's why they get the nod.

Last term's Golden Boot winner Brian Graham is up and running for this campaign with three goals in four League Cup ties. Kyle Turner is back to add further power going forward and he has also grabbed a couple in their group-stage campaign in the League Cup.

What Kris Doolan has had to tape up is the holes at the back - they conceded the most goals by a distance of all the sides in the top six. 

Lee Ashcroft's acquisition from Dundee ought to help address those frailties and a 0-0 draw against Motherwell in their last League Cup game hints that the Jags may well set up tighter this term.

Ayr and Aidrie offer each-way alternatives

Of the other contenders, Falkirk carry momentum from winning League One and it's inevitably expected that Livingston will be contenders though they come with no guarantees.

More interesting are Ayr and Airdrie as each-way options.

Airdrie were excellent last season in finishing fourth under their impressive manager Rhys McCabe.

They played with a nice style and looked to entertain, and 15 goals and three wins in their four League Cup ties suggests they are going to remain on-message for the upcoming campaign.

Airdrie went on a run of eight wins in 11 from the end of February to squeeze into the play-offs where they were touched off by Partick and there is a lot to like about their youthful attack.

Ayr have recruited well under Scott Brown, who is still learning his coaching trade. George Oakley has arrived from Greenock Morton to bolster the attack while Marco Rus, a Southampton academy product, is a fascinating addition in midfield.

Three wins out of four in the League Cup - including against Falkirk - saw them fall just short of the knockout stage but hinted at the promise of a bright season ahead.