Dundee United are rightfully the favourites to win the Scottish Championship.
They have backed that up so far, unbeaten and top of the table after seven games played.
There is one area, though, where Raith Rovers – one point behind and preparing to host the league leaders this weekend – may trump United.
Jim Goodwin’s side have scored 16 goals so far in the Scottish Championship to Rovers’ 12, but their totals across all competitions are identical at 24, with Raith having played one more game.
That in itself doesn’t tell us much, but a look at the respective squads shows that Rovers are well-stocked in the attacking department, so much so that manager Ian Murray has a job keeping everyone happy.
Louis Moult a doubt for Raith Rovers test
While Dundee United sweat over the fitness of Louis Moult and debate the merits of their replacements, their Rovers counterparts are debating who should be the unlucky players to miss out.
United put four goals past Queen’s Park in their most recent fixture, without Moult, with Tony Watt deputising and getting on the scoresheet.
Beyond those two, Goodwin is then relying on the largely untested Owen Stirton or an auxiliary striker such as Glenn Middleton.
By contrast, Murray was forced to leave Dylan Easton out of a couple of starting line-ups after he dropped out due to suspension.
Easton was the club’s top scorer at the time and has since regained his side, scoring a double in the weekend win over Ayr United.
Lewis Vaughan started the season well but found himself on the bench, responding with a match-winning brace from the bench against Morton.
In short, Murray has attacking players at his disposal in greater numbers than his United counterpart Jim Goodwin, something he was robbed of last season.
Raith Rovers have wealth of attacking options for Dundee United clash
Rovers also have Jack Hamilton, Callum Smith, Jamie Gullan, Josh Mullin and Sam Stanton as options, all contributing to goals.
Top scorer from the last two seasons Aidan Connolly is also working his way back to fitness and Ethan Ross has been allowed to leave on loan.
Regardless of this weekend’s outcome, Murray’s options will give them one up – at least numbers wise – over United for the upcoming autumn and winter months when squad strength is tested.
United can argue they have a stronger starting XI but, beyond that, there is a very good case for Raith having more depth.
Where Dundee United look more formidable than Rovers is in defence.
Goodwin’s men have conceded just three league goals with the solid partnership of Declan Gallagher and Kevin Holt in front of goalkeeper Jack Walton.
In fact, United boast the joint-best defensive record in Scotland alongside Hearts.
Raith Rovers brush up on Achilles heel
But Murray’s side have improved defensively too.
The Raith boss wasn’t discouraged by the amount of goals conceded early in the season, citing how few times his team has been cut open.
Raith have now recorded three clean sheets in their last six, conceding four times across those matches.
They have brushed up on defending set-pieces too, a real Achilles heel last season.
That is, in no small part, down to the additions of Keith Watson and Euan Murray, with the former missing out last weekend due to injury.
Midfielder Scott Brown deputised versus Ayr, showing that Rovers are lighter in defence, the inverse of the issue at Tannadice.
Still, this Rovers side are set up to score goals and Murray has many more options at his disposal than his United counterpart.
