Partick Thistle v Airdrieonians: Clubs poised for thriller

That said, there are a few factors that point towards a Partick Thistle victory, not least the recent 4-0 win on home turf against the same opponents.

That was a curious game, goalless at half-time before Airdrie capitulated in the second half, leading 31-year-old McCabe to accuse some of his players of “throwing in the towel”.

It was also the first game in what has turned into a four-match winless run, though they showed no sign of a team lacking form or belief on Tuesday.

The teams have now met five times this season and only once have Airdrie come out on top. If you go back further, that extends to just one win in 16 meetings, a staggering run that started back in 2012.

Does that have any bearing on what will unfold on Friday? Possibly not, but perhaps there is a psychological edge for Kris Doolan and his team.

Thistle’s final-day defeat by Dundee United is their only loss in nine games and although they could not hold on to their advantage on Tuesday, they are in good shape.

They are certainly not infallible at home, though, having won just half of their 18 league games at Firhill this season (drawing five and losing four), but another statistic in their favour is Airdrie’s poor away form.

Only Arbroath took fewer points on the road in the Championship and that is a trend Airdrie will need to change if they are to prevent Thistle reaching the semi-final for the second successive season.

Doolan’s side blew Queen’s Park away this time last season, but despite the recent 4-0 thrashing of Airdrie, it would be surprising to see a repeat of that.