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Hearts logo
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 31
Apr 8, 2023 at 3pm UK
Tynecastle
St Mirren logo

Hearts
0 - 2
St Mirren


Snodgrass (7'), Smith (50'), Rowles (86')
Snodgrass (62')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Main (52'), Gogic (57')
Tanser (67'), Dunne (68'), Gogic (84')

Preview: Hearts vs. St Mirren - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Scottish Premiership clash between Hearts and St Mirren, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Hearts play host to St Mirren on Saturday afternoon looking to end a run of three successive defeats in the Scottish Premiership.

At a time when the Edinburgh-based side are still clinging onto third position in the standings, St Mirren are fifth and pushing hard for European qualification.


Match preview

Hearts' Andy Halliday celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates on October 27, 2022© Reuters

In February, there was the assumption that Hearts would cruise to third place in the table, replicating their efforts from the last campaign.

However, Robbie Neilson now has a battle on his hands with his side having succumbed to five defeats in their most recent seven outings in the top flight.

A once-commanding advantage over the chasing pack now sits at one point, and this feels like the biggest test of Neilson's tenure as he bids to keep Hearts as the best of the rest in the country.

While they have suffered three losses in succession, it should be noted that Hearts were away from Tynecastle on each occasion, yet conceding eight times to Celtic, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock will concern their boss.

On a positive note, Hearts have won 10 of their 14 home fixtures this campaign, prevailing in five of their last six and only losing to Rangers.

Opponents St Mirren cannot claim to have done anything spectacular this season, only posting successive wins on one occasion since the start of October.

Nevertheless, frequently adding to their total has kept them in the hunt for the top six and eventual European qualification, and triumphing on Saturday would go some way to achieving the latter.

Stephen Robinson will be delighted with eight points from their last five games, the only defeat coming to Celtic, and they were ruthless in seeing off Livingston last time out even though two of their three goals came from the penalty spot.

The pressure remains on the Saints, though, with a trip to Rangers to follow next weekend, meaning that they can ill-afford a defeat on their visit to the capital.

Hearts Scottish Premiership form:


Hearts form (all competitions):


St Mirren Scottish Premiership form:


Team News

Hearts' manager Robbie Neilson on January 26, 2022© Reuters

With Hearts goalkeeper Zander Clark having suffered a hamstring injury last weekend, Ross Stewart is on standby to deputise if required.

Further alterations are expected with Alan Cochrane and Barrie McKay both pushing for recalls after the poor first-half showing at Kilmarnock.

Barring any fitness issues, St Mirren could line up with the same side which stormed past Livingston.

Mark O'Hara - who netted two penalties - was withdrawn at half time of that fixture, but the midfielder is expected to feature at the weekend.

Greg Kiltie is a different option in the centre of the pitch, while youngster Thierry Small will hope to keep his spot at left wing-back.

Hearts possible starting lineup:
Stewart; Smith, Sibbick, Rowles, Cochrane; Grant, Snodgrass, Kiomourtzoglou; Ginnelly, Shankland, McKay

St Mirren possible starting lineup:
Carson; Fraser, Shaughnessy, Dunne; Strain, Baccus, Gogic, O'Hara, Small; Main, Watt


SM words green background

We say: Hearts 1-1 St Mirren

Aside from the Old Firm, this is the most anticipated Scottish fixture this weekend, the feeling being that St Mirren can close the gap on their third-placed opponents to one point. However, we feel that Hearts, playing at Tynecastle, will do just enough to earn a share of the spoils.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


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Game History

How you voted: Hearts vs St Mirren

Hearts
92.3%
Draw
7.7%
St Mirren
0.0%
13
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1110103132831
2Aberdeen11101024101431
3RangersRangers11713168822
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd125431813519
5Motherwell116141514119
6St Mirren134361722-515
7Dundee123361824-612
8Kilmarnock123361525-1012
9Ross County132651021-1112
10St Johnstone133191627-1110
11Hearts132381420-69
12Hibernian121561118-78


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