Preview: Partick Thistle vs. Inverness CT in Scottish Play-off Semifinal

GLASGOW (Interstat) — A place in the Scottish Premiership play-off final is on the line Sunday when Partick Thistle hosts Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the first leg of their semifinal tie at Firhill Stadium.

The matchup, part of the SCO Play-offs 1/2, pits a Thistle side seeking home advantage against an Inverness team riding a wave of scoring form.

Recent results present a contrast. Inverness CT enters with momentum, having secured a 2-0 victory over Queen of the South on Sept. 20 in its most recent outing. That win is part of a pattern of high-scoring performances, including 4-1 and 4-0 wins over Aberdeen FC B and Elgin City, respectively, in August. Their attack has been potent, though a 5-1 loss to Raith Rovers in July shows defensive vulnerability.

Partick Thistle, meanwhile, looks to rebound from a late-February setback, a 2-1 away defeat to Raith Rovers on Feb. 27. Their form has been inconsistent against top-flight opposition this season, with losses to Celtic and Aberdeen, but they have demonstrated a strong cup record against lower-division sides.

Statistical models are split on the outcome. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 1-1 draw. However, the same outlet’s ELO rating system gives Inverness CT a slight edge, projecting a 54.70% probability of victory.

The stakes extend beyond this single leg. The return fixture is scheduled for the following Sunday at Inverness, making a positive result at Firhill crucial for Thistle. Both teams face a congested schedule, with Inverness slated for five matches across three competitions in the next eight days.

Kickoff is set for Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Glasgow. The winner over two legs will advance to face either Arbroath or St. Johnstone for a chance at promotion to Scotland’s top division.