Match Preview: Cowdenbeath v Arbroath

Cowdenbeath will be looking to consolidate their position as outright league leaders when Arbroath visit Central Park this weekend in a pre-Christmas Irn-Bru Second Division fixture.

The game is a re-run of the opening day when the Smokies ran out 2-1 victors against nine man Cowden. The fortunes of both teams have gone in opposite directions since then with the Blue Brazil going from strength to strength and topping the table on the back of a ten match unbeaten league run. Arbroath, on the other hand, are 18 points adrift of the Fifers having plummeted into the relegation zone. John McGlashan resigned in October, after Cowden's 1-0 triumph at Gayfield, and has been replaced in the hot seat by former Montrose manager Jim Weir.

"Arbroath have given us two difficult games this season with the honours shared", said Danny Lennon.

"It's important that we win this one to keep up the pressure at the top of the table. If we can show the same level of performance as against Peterhead and the same character as Tuesday night we will do ok."

John Armstrong, Craig Winter and Gareth Wardlaw all  missed Tuesday night's 2-1 win over Stenhousemuir but all three could feature this weekend. John Armstrong and Gareth Wardlaw were passed fit at training on Thursday night while Craig Winter (ankle) and Joe Mbu (back) will face late fitness tests. Mark Baxter played his first 90 minutes for the first team since September in midweek while Paul McQuade returned also returned from injury and came off the bench to score the winner so competition for places is fierce.