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St Mirren logo
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 32
Apr 6, 2024 at 3pm UK
The Smisa Stadium
Hearts logo

St Mirren
1 - 2
Hearts

Olusanya (68')
Tanser (82')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Grant (33' pen.), Mandron (62' og.)
Tait (45+3'), Sibbick (62')

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

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

Two teams fighting for a European place in the Scottish Premiership will meet on Saturday as Hearts makes the trip to face St Mirren.

Both go into this match on the back of two games without a win, which is the type of form they will be hoping to change heading into the final stretch of the season.


Match preview

Motherwell boss Steve Robinson pictured in November 2019© Reuters

St Mirren might still need a couple of points to mathematically guarantee their place in the top half of the table when the division splits next weekend, but they will be confident of achieving just that.

The Buddies are primarily focused on climbing up the division and breaking into the top four by the end of the campaign to try and secure European football, but a consistent run will be required to make that happen.

Steve Robinson's men currently sit two points behind Kilmarnock in fourth place, showcasing just how much impact three points this weekend could have on their league position.

However, an improved performance is needed from their recent efforts, as St Mirren heads into this game on the back of two matches without a win in the league.

A 5-2 defeat against Kilmarnock was followed up by a 1-1 draw with Motherwell during their most recent outing, in a game where Marcus Fraser's goal in the first half was not enough to secure three points.

Hearts manager Steven Naismith reacts on October 29, 2023© Reuters

The visitors are in a slightly more secure position right now in third place with an 11-point gap over Killie, but they are also out of form at the moment.

Much like their opponents this weekend, Hearts come into this fixture on the back of a defeat and then a draw, the most recent of which was against Kilmarnock as their match finished 1-1.

While the Jambos will struggle to catch either of the Old Firm giants above them, there is no doubt that Steven Naismith will still want his team to close that gap, particularly with one eye on next season.

Hearts have won nine and lost six in away games this season, failing to draw a single match, but the fact they have picked up more victories on the road showcases that it is not something they fear.

The Jambos and St Mirren have traded a victory each in their previous meetings this season, with each team now out for bragging rights.

St Mirren Scottish Premiership form:

Hearts Scottish Premiership form:


Hearts form (all competitions):



Team News

Both Keanu Baccus and Jonah Ayunga returned to the St Mirren squad after international duty against Motherwell, and featured from the bench.

Ryan Strain got himself back into the starting XI following his recent injury trouble, and he has made it clear that he is aiming for more minutes as his fitness begins to rebuild.

Youngster Macaulay Tait was given his first start for Hearts last weekend, and could continue to be in the mix this time around.

The Jambos were also able to welcome back Frankie Kent, bolstering Naismith's options even further heading into the run-in.


St Mirren possible starting lineup:
Hemming; Fraser, Gogic, Dunne; Brown, O'Hara, Boyd-Munce, Tanser; Strain, Mandron, Kiltie

Hearts possible starting lineup:
Clark; Sibbick, Rowles, Kingsley; Lembikisa, Vargas, Baningime, Cochrane, Forrest; Shankland, Oda



SM words green background

We say: St Mirren 1-1 Hearts

With each team boasting a victory over the other already this season, either could realistically walk away with three points this weekend.

However, the fact both are out of form could lead to them sharing the points as they try to get things back on track.


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




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Game History

How you voted: St Mirren vs Hearts

St Mirren
7.4%
Draw
14.8%
Hearts
77.8%
27
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic110082275581
2RangersRangers110074245078
3Hearts101046341263
4Kilmarnock10104334952
5St Mirren10013945-643
6Dundee10014556-1141
Relegation Group
1Hibernian11004752-542
2Aberdeen11003649-1338
3Motherwell10014652-637
4St Johnstone10012549-2431
5Ross County10013258-2630
6Livingston11002459-3521
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


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