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

Unusually, this is a reverse fixture, with the sides drawing last Saturday at the SMISA Stadium, and they will get ready to do battle once again.

Match preview

Hearts come into this fixture unbeaten in six matches and sit third in the league standings with 32 points from 20 matches under Robbie Neilson.

The Jambos have catapulted themselves into the hunt for continental qualification, while have also strengthened in the January window with the additions of Yutaro Oda and James Hill.

Last time out, Hearts recorded a 1-1 draw at Premiership rivals St Mirren, as Robert Snodgrass cancelled out an opening strike from Buddies defender Ryan Strain to tie the scoring.

Hearts look to have got their act together following a poor spell of form before the World Cup break and could move six points clear of Aberdeen, who are in Scottish League Cup action this weekend.

St Mirren will be a tough nut to crack, though Neilson will have faith in his men to take advantage in front of their own supporters.

On the other hand, St Mirren travel to Tynecastle also unbeaten in six matches, though have drawn their last three in the Scottish Premiership.

Stephen Robinson has guided his side to sixth in the division, though the Northern Irishman will feel his side can push for European football as the season progresses.

Of course, St Mirren and Hearts could not be separate last time out, though the Buddies had the better of the chances in the encounter and will feel aggrieved not to have taken three points.

Travelling away from home has not been a strong suit for St Mirren in 2022-23, as they have notched just five points on the road, which is the second-fewest in the Scottish Premiership, bettering only Kilmarnock.

Robinson and his men will eye a better outcome this time round in Edinburgh on Friday, with the chance to leapfrog Aberdeen into fourth spot with a victory.

Hearts Scottish Premiership form:

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W

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D

St Mirren Scottish Premiership form:

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W

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Team News

Hearts will be without Beni Baningime and Liam Boyce, who are long-term absentees due to cruciate ligament issues, while Craig Halkett is out of contention for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Gary Mackay-Steven is out of contention owing to a foot problem, with Peter Haring set to join him on the sidelines owing to a recurring concussion that needs additional treatment.

Craig Gordon is out for the rest of the campaign with a broken leg, meaning Zander Clark will once again appear between the sticks.

For the visitors, Marcus Fraser is suspended due to picking up a straight red card in the match last week and will not be permitted to take part.

Richard Tait is still recovering from a groin strain and is unlikely to feature at Tynecastle. Ethan Erhahon has served his suspension and is free to come back into the side.

Scotland defender Declan Gallagher is once again classed as a doubt due to a back issue and may not make the matchday squad.

Hearts possible starting lineup:

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

St Mirren possible starting lineup:

Carson; Strain, Taylor, Shaughnessy, Dunne, Tanser; Baccus, Gogic, O'Hara; Greive, Main

We say: Hearts 2-1 St Mirren

In a match with consequences at the top end of the Scottish Premiership table, we expect a closely fought encounter that will produce plenty of opportunities for both sides.

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