On paper, the Diamonds should be an easy 3 points. Sitting bottom of the league, 11 points behind their nearest rivals, and only 1 win away from home all season.

However, before thinking this is points in the bag, lets just remember what they did at the weekend. Yes, thats right they stuffed league leaders Dundee 3-0 and got Jocky Scott the sack. We underestimate them at our peril. 

  Diamonds are forever could be the latest song to echo round the Caledonian Stadium after last weekends results when Airdrie United were the straw that broke the camel's back.

Jocky Scott was given his jotters after his still table topping side were hammered 3-0 by bottom dogs Airdrie, a result which has cast doubts over the Dee’s ability to remain at the races. The Dundee management regime has acted quickly though and have appointed the men that they expect to succeed, where Jocky Scott was rapidly failing. Only nine points out of a possible twenty-four have been accrued since they drew with Inverness on Boxing Day and this has seen them blow a twelve point lead over ICT. Gordon Chisholm and Billy Dodds are seen as the saviours to get Dundee to crawl over the finishing line, and although they are still three points ahead of Inverness, they could have a nerve wracking final day winner takes all event in the Highland capital on May day. But before then, plenty of tough games for all the contenders and tonight sees Inverness take on Jocky’s executioners, Airdrie United. With Dundee playing hosts to Chisholms old charges in a televised encounter for Alba TV it could be another interesting twist in this seasons first division title race. Also making an even later bid for glory are Dunfermline who have made a run on the blind side and are now serious contenders, with a victory over Partick tonight likely to see the Firhill men ease out of contention, while keeping the Pars hot on our heels. Raith will be looking to keep Morton well away from them in the other game. Our good neighbours from over the bridge are on Scottish Cup duty against the City slickers from Edinburgh, Hibernian. How long can County keep drawing on all there reserves of energy is the burning question, but it has been so far so good for the Dingwall men and good luck to them for the cup game. Recent form has seen ICT now unbeaten in twelve league games. Our most current games have however not produced the results expected from a side chasing for the SPL glory. A high scoring home draw against form boys Ayr United was not received well by the ICT faithful, and throwing away a two goal lead at Dens Park was unfortunate. The last two games saw an uninspiring single goal victory over a defensive Morton and a tough derby day away to County. Airdrie look set to drop down a division despite thumping Dundee but indifferent results have seen them rooted to the bottom as Ayr and Morton battle to avoid the play off spot. But they have achieved a few things that ICT would have liked to have done. They have defeated Dundee at home and away. They have scored four goals at Dingwall. On the down side and some things we would not like to have had, were four and five goal losses at County, Partick and Morton. It is this inconsistency that will see them relegated. Manager Terry Butcher expects the same problems tonight that Morton threw up and with the knowledge that Airdrie have taken seven points from Dundee, then they have to be given the respect that their open play deserves, although defensively they can be caught out. Squads for tonight Inverness may have doubts over one or two players after a bruising encounter with Dingwall. Dani Sanchez was nursing a knock from a previous game but came on late in the derby. Stuart Golabek took a sore one and will be having treatment but is expected to be fit. Golly and Duncan have now been pushed over the bookings threshold and ICT are waiting to see when their bans kick in. Russell should in fact miss the Raith game. Some players may be rested for tactical reasons but the one big, really big bonus is that fiery Irishman Richie Foran will be back after missing the last two games and he will surely go straight into the starting eleven for this one. Eric Odhiambo scored seconds after coming on when Airdrie last visited but I wonder if he has done enough to merit a start. A better option would be the return of the Eagle who played well when he came on as a second half substitute against the County. Bulvitis seems to have incurred the wrath of Mr Butcher as he was removed at half time in the last game and was benched since the draw at Dens. Russell Duncan is a must after his display at Dingwall, he was everywhere and has never played better. Cox beside him is a growing pairing and well worth persevering with. The first eleven may look something like this

Bench warmers…….Eric, McBain, Bully, Stratford, Allison Airdrie news Kenny Black will have to make do without Frankie Lagana who is suspended, although ex-Inverness squad player Tom Parratt will be ready for action having been an unused sub against the Dee. The team that nailed Dundee Robertson, Storey, Smyth, Robert Donnelly, Lovering, Trouten (Baird 77), McLaughlin (McDonald 88), McCann, Waddell, O'Carroll (Keegan 84), Gemmill. Subs Not Used: Hollis, Parratt. Tm4tj prediction With almost the full length of the table, thirty points and a massive goal difference swing of thirty-eight separating these two sides, one would expect the home side to win this one comfortably. However, we struggled badly at Airdrie this season already being fortunate to come away with a point, and took forever to hit the decisive second goal in the return fixture here. Another uninspiring single goal victory probably flattered us a little in the third meeting, and with the Diamonds on a high after turning over Dundee this might be tougher than one would have liked. Still, home advantage, midweek trek for the visitors and Richie Foran raring to go I expect Inverness to edge closer to achieving their goal of bouncing back in one season, a feat that looked a distant dream around November. A repeat of the 2-0 score line will do nicely and if Dundee slip up on Chis & Doddsy’s debut, then we could top the league on goal difference for the first time this season. So, that is my prediction, well the 2-0 part of it anyway, the rest can take care of itself. It just goes to show that great minds think alike, or is it fools seldom differ….. Gingerjaggy’s prediction After a pretty poor performance at Dingwall on Saturday we will be hoping for a better performance against Airdrie at home. But if it came to it I would take the same sort of ugly win like against Morton in our last home match just as long as we pick up 3 points. They will be buzzing after a great win over Dundee and they will be up for it but I am looking at a comfortable home win 2-0 Ha ha, 2-0 it is then, cheers jaggy, mon the Caley.