MORTON boss Dougie Imrie has piled the pressure on Ayr United by saying the league leaders are strong favourites to win at Cappielow today.

Lee Bullen's men have made a flying start to the campaign and are the only team in the Championship unbeaten after five games.

A home win this afternoon could see Ton, who sit in fourth place, overtake the Honest Men on goal difference.

Imrie believes United will be expected to take all three points - but he insists his side are capable of upsetting the odds.

He told the Tele: "It is early days, but Ayr have started the season on fire up the top and they are playing really good football.

"Lee must be proud of his team, they are the favourites going into the game, but we have just got to get our heads down and keep playing the way we have and let’s see what happens today.

"We want to make Cappielow a fortress and win as many games at home as we can.

"That will obviously be the plan today, but we have to give the respect to Ayr which they are due.

"They will definitely be the favourites going into the game."

The 39-year-old knows Ayr have multiple threats to be closely watched in their side and has singled out praise for striker Demi Akinyemi, who has taken the Championship by storm with six goals in five games.

Imrie said: "One player doesn’t make a team. Akinyemi has scored six goals in five games, so he must be doing something right, but we have to do what we have been doing.

"I am really pleased with the way we have been playing. We've been defending well all over the pitch, so I will be looking for much of the same to nullify Ayr’s threats.

"They have a player in there who is on fire at the moment, so he will need to be watched.

"But you can’t just give credit to him, he needs team-mates to put balls on a plate for him to be able to put the ball in the back of the net.

"It will be a good entertaining game and one that we are looking forward to, but we have to give the upmost respect to Ayr and what they have done so far this season."

Imrie has challenged his players to build on last Saturday's impressive victory over Inverness Caley Thistle.

He added: "It has been a good start, the boys are starting to gel together.

"I don’t want to get carried away, but it's pleasing the way things are going so far.

"Clean sheets is a platform to win games, and the last two we have done that.

"If we can keep our back door shut then we will inevitably pick up points.

"Saturday against Inverness was a massive three points for us. It's a hard place to go against a good Inverness team.

"We have to continue that, we have to keep the momentum going and keep pushing forward."