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

Two of the top six in the Scottish Premiership clash on Wednesday night when St Johnstone host Hearts at McDiarmid Park.

Both sides will be looking to return to winning ways after disappointing results last time out, with the winners of this fixture likely to finish 2022 inside the top three alongside Celtic and Rangers.

Match preview

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Despite the 4-1 scoreline, St Johnstone boss Callum Davidson was pleased with his side's performance at Celtic Park on Christmas Eve, a clash in which the quality of Ange Postecoglou's Celtic team was too much for the visitors.

Before that defeat last time out, St Johnstone were six unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership, a run which included notable victories against Hibernian and Rangers as well as draws with St Mirren and Motherwell.

Sitting fifth in the league standings after collecting 24 points from their opening 18 matches, supporters at McDiarmid Park will be hoping their side can finish this campaign as the best in the division excluding Celtic and Rangers - two clubs who always put significant distance between themselves and the rest of the league.

Davidson's men have not been great entertainers on home soil so far this campaign but do possess the best defensive record in home matches in the Scottish Premiership, having conceded just six times in eight games - a solid foundation that regular wins can be built on.

Goals have been spread throughout the St Johnstone squad this season, with 31-year-old Nicky Clark leading the scoring charts at the club with only four strikes, a statistic that highlights how the Saints are not the most fluid attacking unit in the division.

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Only last month Hearts were enjoying trips to Turkey and Italy in the Europa Conference League, but they now face the reality of a harsh winter in the Scottish Premiership as they look to secure European football for next season.

A clash with bottom-side Dundee United is the type of fixture Hearts need to earn maximums out of to finish in the upper echelons of the division, but an injury-time equaliser from Lawrence Shankland meant Robbie Neilson's men were fortunate to even get a point at Tannadice Park on Christmas Eve.

The 27-year-old forward has now netted three times since club football returned after the World Cup break, increasing his tally to 12 goals so far this campaign, nine strikes more than any of his teammates.

Hearts have only won twice in nine away outings this season but remarkably possess the fifth-best away record in the division, showing how much teams struggle without their home supporters in the Scottish Premiership.

Team News

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St Johnstone will be without midfielder Callum Booth for the visit of Hearts on Wednesday due to an ankle injury sustained at the end of last season, with the 31-year-old expected to be back in early January.

Another long-term absentee for the Saints is Murray Davidson, who has not featured since the goalless draw with Ross County back in September.

Hearts and Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon suffered a nasty collision with Steven Fletcher in the draw at Dundee United on Christmas Eve, with the 39-year-old expected to be sidelined for around 12 months due to the serious leg injury caused by the clash.

Zander Clark will deputise between the sticks for the rest of the campaign and could have an unfamiliar defensive unit ahead of him on Wednesday night, with both Stephen Kingsley and Craig Halkett being forced off with injuries last time out.

St Johnstone possible starting lineup:

Matthews; McGowan, Gordon, Considine; Wright, Carey, Phillips, Hallberg, Brown; Clark, May

Hearts possible starting lineup:

Clark; Rowles, Sibbick, Cochrane; Smith, Devlin, Snodgrass, Halliday; Ginnelly, McKay, Shankland

We say: St Johnstone 1-0 Hearts

Although St Johnstone came back from Celtic Park without any points on Christmas Eve, there were positives to take away from the performance as they look to record a victory on home soil.

Hearts did not get the win they expected at Dundee United and lost many players to injury in the process, meaning a trip to face the Saints could be a real struggle on Wednesday night.

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