Preview: Hibernian vs. St Johnstone - prediction, team news, lineups

Hibernian will be hoping to turn their fortune around on Saturday when they host St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership after a difficult start to the new campaign.

Having just one win and a managerial change already, there is a lot of work to do for the Hibees, while the visitors are also without a win in their previous seven matches in all competitions.

Match preview

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Nick Montgomery kick-started life as the Hibernian boss with a 2-2 draw against Kilmarnock last weekend, and while that was only the second league game of the season where they were not beaten, it still will have felt like a loss.

That is because the Hibees let a two-goal lead slip to share the points with Killie, despite the fact that a Will Dennis own goal in the eighth minute provided the perfect start, with Dylan Vente only adding to that.

While Hibernian proved that they are capable of far more than they have shown so far this season, the lack of concentration in the final 30 minutes highlighted there is still a long way to go for the group.

After a longer stretch in charge now, Montgomery's impact should be starting to be felt, and he will be hoping that it can create a positive change on the whole.

With Hibernian sitting just two points above the relegation zone there is plenty of pressure on the team this weekend, as the fans will be demanding a stronger performance and a positive result this time around.

The hosts might take some belief from the fact their opponents are one of only two SPL teams to have had a worse start to the season, with St Johnstone currently bottom of the league.

The Saints are still without a victory in the league, which is a situation that is starting to become problematic for them as other teams begin to push away from them.

Currently, St Johnstone are level on points with Aberdeen, and they will also be wary of the fact that three points would guarantee they leapfrog Hibernian and get out of the relegation zone.

However, Steven MacLean will need to push his team to provide a stronger offensive display as a lack of goals has been a major problem for them so far.

St Johnstone have scored just twice to this point, and the lack of goals was clear last weekend when they were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Rangers.

Team News

After having spent more time with his squad Montgomery could end up making more changes and alterations to the starting lineup here, showcasing what his version of the Hibernian team might look like.

However, the new Hibees boss is having to deal with a lengthy injury list with Chris Cadden (Achilles), Jake Doyle-Hayes (ankle), Dylan Levitt (ankle), Joe Wollacott (thigh) and Harry McKirdy (heart) all out of action.

Stevie May might be brought back into the starting lineup for the visitors this weekend, tapping into his experience to try and get St Johnstone scoring again.

Diallang Jaiyesimi has yet to make his debut for the Saints since joining on loan, but that is something that could change this weekend as well.

Hibernian possible starting lineup:

Marshall; Miller, Fish, Hanlon, Stevenson; Campbell, Jeggo, Newell; Boyle, Vente, Youan

St Johnstone possible starting lineup:

Mitov; Brown, McClelland, Considine, Robinson; Costelloe, Phillips, Smith, Carey; Turner-Cooke; May

We say: Hibernian 1-1 St Johnstone

This is a game that both teams will see as a must-win considering the form that each of them have heading into it and how close they are in the table.

However, the pressure of that could lead to the two teams playing it out to a draw instead.

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