Partick Thistle assistant manager Alan Archibald says his side are up against one of the best teams in League One when they head to Airdrie this afternoon.
Archibald, who was manager at Firhill from 2013-18, says the Diamonds have been one of the top teams in the division in recent seasons.
Airdrie sit one place above the Jags in the table, with goal difference separating the sides, and Archibald told Partick Thistle's website: "I'm expecting a really tough game, because Airdrieonians are a really competitive team.
"They can play multiple ways in terms of being able to play nice football without also being scared to just get the ball into the box early.
"They've been one of the better teams in League One for quite a few seasons now, so we know what we're up against."
Partick Thistle signed Scott Tiffoney on loan from Livingston in midweek, alongside some other stars who have come in recently.
One of those is East Kilbride star Chris Erskine, who has returned to Firhill on loan until the end of this season, having previously enjoyed two spells on Maryhill from 2009-13 and 2016-19, but is unlikely to line up against Ian Murray's side.
Archibald, 43, said: "We've got guys like Connor Murray, Joe Cardle, Chris Erskine and Blair Lyons, who will be back soon, all of whom can make a difference and take some pressure off the strikers."
The match today is the second meeting of the season, with Thistle winning 2-1 back in October, and kicks off at the Pennycars Stadium at 3pm.
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