Montrose manager Stewart Petrie has done his homework ahead of hosting a Raith Rovers side that could have gone top of the table in midweek.
The Gable Endies gaffer said: “I watched Raith on Tuesday night in their goalless draw with Forfar.
“It was not a great spectacle but both teams deserve credit for playing some good football in horrendous conditions.
“A win would have seen them coming to us as league leaders.
“They are a side that I knew a good bit about already, as we have played them five times in just over a year, but it was good to see them and ensure that I am up to date with how they are shaping up.
“Last season there was a win apiece between us and a couple of draws,” added Petrie.
“We got turned over at Stark’s Park 3-0 very early in this season but that score is not a true reflection of the game as it was 0-0 with 10 minutes to go. We lost concentration for 10 minutes and we need to ensure that does not happen this time out.”
The game against Rovers at Links Park gives Montrose the chance to bounce back after being knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Lowland League side Bonnyrigg Rose last weekend.
Petrie said: “It was a full-bloodied Scottish Cup tie on a pitch that was heavy and got heavier.
“We had watched them three times and gave them a lot of respect but we lost two bad goals.
“The second one just after we had equalised and right before the break was crucial as it gave Bonnyrigg something to hold onto.
“In the second half it was very difficult to get behind them and when we did successfully Blair Lyons was denied an equaliser by a good save.
“We never played to our potential and we paid the price. I will freshen things up as getting a win over Raith Rovers will take us a good bit away from that game.”
Montrose add Lewis Milne after three months out with a knee injury but Iain Campbell and Ross Campbell both face fitness tests.
On-loan St Johnstone players Cammy Ballantyne and Shaun Struthers return after missing the cup defeat as the Perth club would not let them feature.
