Caley Thistle head into this weekend’s home clash with Partick Thistle looking to improve on a patchy home record so far this season and also hoping to build on a battling display against Motherwell in the league cup third round.

Partick were one of the pre-season favourites to challenge for the title but have had, like Caley Thistle, a stuttering start to the season. Both sides have an identical record of having won twice, lost once and drawn three matches in the league this season, with the Maryhill side stretching ahead on goal difference but while Partick have not won a league game on their travels, Inverness have failed to win a match at home. Both sides will be looking to reverse these trends on Saturday.

Past Meetings The head-to-head between the two sides is remarkably even – in league games both sides have won four games with no draws. Saturday’s match will be the first meeting of league football’s two Thistle’s since 2002, when Partick visited Inverness as league champions, only to fall to a 3-0 defeat on the last day of the season. That season saw the two clubs meet a total of seven times in the league, Scottish and league cups, with Partick coming out on top in four games, Caley in two and one draw.

Inverness fans will recall wistfully the first cup tie when the Highland side lead twice through Dennis Wyness goals only to be pegged back by Martin hardie and Scott Paterson, the latter with a stunning 18 yard volley. The replay at Caledonian Stadium (in a torrential downpour) saw the Glasgow side triumph 1-0 thanks for another Paterson goal. Since that season both sides have only met in cup ties. Earlier this season Inverness defeated Partick on penalties in the Alba Cup after a 1-1 draw. Ryan Esson was the hero that day with three saves. Thistle fared better in 2006 when they triumphed on spot kicks after two drawn games with the then SPL Inverness side in a replay televised on Sky. Players to Watch Caley Thistle have made sweeping changes this season but one player who was a mainstay last season and who has remained is goalkeeper Ryan Esson. Former Aberdeen stopper Esson was a vital player in the Alba Cup tie earlier this month, saving three penalties in the Firhill tie, and has shown his value to the Inverness club in other games this season, blocking another spot-kick at Airdrie and denying Motherwell on numerous occasions in midweek. Despite falling out of the team towards the end of the season due to a rumoured fall out with the manager, Esson is a professional and classy custodian who gives the backline a real sense of solidity. Partick Thistle have been building their squad steadily since returning to the First Division in 2006, securing a series of comfortable mid-table finishes until last season title race with St Johnstone. One of their best acquisitions in this time has been striker Liam Buchanan, who should be available for Partick again after a suspension. The Edinburgh born striker had trials with Caley Thistle but wasn’t kept on, allowing the Firhill club to swoop in 2007 and take him to Glasgow from Cowdenbeath. In his first full season the pacy striker bagged eleven league goals in twenty-two games before injury interrupted his season. Last season, again after injury intervened, Buchanan bagged seven goals and so far this campaign he has five goals. Caley captain Grant Munro and his fellow defenders will have to be on their guard to prevent Buchanan adding to this tally on Saturday afternoon. Prediction After two distinctly underwhelming home performances, Caley Jags’ fans will be looking for a statement from their side. Terry Butcher and Maurice Malpas must be keen to prevent the poor home form becoming a talking point so a quick win is a must. After Colonel Gadaffi’s UN speech this game could only possibly claim second spot in terms of the weeks most startling 90 minutes but both Thistle’s will have to buck current form to claim a win. The most likely outcome is a score draw with the tight league that is this season’s First Division maintained.