St Mirren v Hibs predictions for this fixture in the Scottish Premiership. St Mirren will host Hibernian at St Mirren Park on Sunday in their first game of the 2024-25 Scottish Premiership season. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Scottish Premiership | Aug 4, 2024 at 1.30pm UK The Smisa Stadium
St Mirren vs Hibernian Predictions
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Can St Mirren Build on Their European Success Against Hibernian?
Key Stats
St Mirren have avoided defeat in all six post-season matches, including a 4-1 aggregate win over Valur.
Hibernian have scored 14 goals across their last four League Cup matches.
St Mirren’s last 11 Premiership games saw both teams score on 10 occasions.
St Mirren welcome Hibernian to St Mirren Park in what promises to be an intriguing clash to kick off the 2024-25 Scottish Premiership season. With both teams showing varying degrees of form and ambition, this match could set the tone for their campaigns. St Mirren, buoyed by their recent European exploits, will look to capitalise on home advantage, while Hibernian aim to rectify their poor away record from last season.
Match Preview
St Mirren finished fifth in the Scottish Premiership last term, accumulating 47 points from 38 matches. Their season was characterised by an uneven performance, with 46 goals scored and 52 conceded, positioning them as the eighth-best offensive and fifth-best defensive team in the league. Despite a disappointing end to their league campaign, losing six of their final nine games, they have shown resilience in their post-season fixtures. Unbeaten in six matches since the end of last season, including a comprehensive 4-1 aggregate victory over Valur in the Europa Conference League qualifiers, they appear to be in good shape ahead of this encounter.
Hibernian, on the other hand, finished eighth with 46 points. Their campaign saw them score 52 goals but concede 59, highlighting defensive frailties. Under new permanent manager David Gray, appointed in June after several caretaker spells, Hibs have enjoyed a solid pre-season and League Cup campaign, winning six of their last eight matches. However, their away form remains a concern, having won only four of their last 24 away fixtures in the league.
Team News
St Mirren might see Shaun Rooney start after his goal against Valur, marking the Saints' first in European competition for 37 years. However, they have doubts over Caolan Boyd-Munce and Mikael Mandron’s availability. Hibernian will miss Thody Elie Youan and might also be without Chris Cadden. Rocky Bushiri Kiranga's early exit in the last match against Peterhead is another concern. New signings Josef Bursik and Marvin Ekpiteta are expected to feature.
Expected Lineups
St Mirren Possible Starting Lineup: Balcombe; Rooney, Fraser, Taylor, Brown; Adeniran, Gogic, O'Hara; Ayunga, Olusanya, Idowu
Hibernian Possible Starting Lineup: Bursik; Miller, Ekpiteta, O'Hora, Obita; Moriah-Welsh, Campbell, Allan-Molotnikov; Boyle, Vente, Newell
St Mirren are likely to deploy a balanced 4-3-3 formation, focusing on solid defence and quick transitions. Their midfield trio of Adeniran, Gogic, and O'Hara will aim to control the centre of the park, providing support to the attacking trio. Hibernian might counter with a similar setup, relying on the creativity of Boyle and the finishing prowess of Vente up front.
Key Duels and Areas of Decision
The central midfield battle will be crucial, with St Mirren’s Gogic and O'Hara facing off against Hibernian’s Campbell and Allan-Molotnikov. The outcome of this duel could dictate the flow of the game. On the wings, Boyle’s pace and trickery will test St Mirren’s defence, particularly against Rooney and Fraser.
Gameplay Analysis
St Mirren are expected to play a compact game, focusing on solid defensive organisation and quick counter-attacks. Their recent form suggests they will be confident in both attack and defence. Hibernian, with their attacking mindset, will look to press high and create scoring opportunities through their forward line. However, their defensive vulnerabilities might leave them exposed to counter-attacks.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Teams
St Mirren's Strengths:
- Solid defensive organisation, as evidenced by their fifth-best defensive record last season.
- Effective counter-attacks, leveraging the pace of their forwards.
St Mirren's Weaknesses:
- Inconsistency in league form, particularly at home towards the end of last season.
- Reliance on key players like O'Hara for creativity.
Hibernian's Strengths:
- Prolific goal-scoring ability, highlighted by their 52 goals last season.
- Creative midfield and attacking depth, with players like Boyle and Newell.
Hibernian's Weaknesses:
- Defensive frailties, conceding 59 goals last season.
- Poor away form, winning only four of their last 24 away league matches.
Managerial Analysis
Stephen Robinson (St Mirren): Robinson has shown tactical astuteness, guiding St Mirren to a European qualification and an unbeaten post-season run. However, his team’s inconsistency, particularly at home, needs addressing. His ability to maintain defensive solidity while improving offensive output will be key.
David Gray (Hibernian): Gray’s appointment as permanent manager marks a new chapter for Hibernian. While his tactical approach has shown promise in pre-season, his ability to improve the team’s away form and defensive stability remains critical. His reliance on attacking flair must be balanced with better defensive organisation.
Betting Angles
Given both teams' attacking tendencies and defensive vulnerabilities, betting on goals seems prudent. Markets such as "both teams to score" and "over 2.5 goals" offer potential value. St Mirren’s strong home record in recent fixtures and Hibernian’s leaky defence suggest a high-scoring encounter.
Predictions
- Best Bet: Both Teams to Score
With both teams demonstrating significant attacking potential and defensive issues, it is highly likely that both teams will find the back of the net. St Mirren's recent scoring form, coupled with Hibernian's leaky defence, underpins this prediction. Similarly, Hibernian’s offensive capabilities, particularly with players like Boyle, suggest they will breach St Mirren's defence.
- Correct Score Prediction: St Mirren 2-1 Hibernian
Aligning with the prediction of both teams scoring, a 2-1 victory for St Mirren seems plausible. St Mirren’s home advantage and recent form give them the edge. Hibernian’s defensive weaknesses will likely see them concede more than once, but their attacking flair means they will also score, making 2-1 a realistic outcome.
- Goalscorer Prediction: Martin Boyle to Score Anytime
Martin Boyle’s form and attacking prowess make him a prime candidate to score. His ability to create and finish chances, especially against a defence that has shown vulnerabilities, enhances his likelihood of scoring. Given St Mirren’s defensive lapses, Boyle’s knack for finding space and converting opportunities positions him as a strong bet to score.
- First Team to Score: St Mirren
St Mirren’s home advantage and recent strong starts suggest they will be the first to score. Their ability to utilise quick transitions and counter-attacks can catch Hibernian’s defence off guard. Considering Hibernian’s tendency to concede early, St Mirren are likely to break the deadlock first.
- Innovative Market Prediction: Time of First Set Piece Awarded - St Mirren Before 10 Minutes
Given St Mirren’s attacking approach and Hibernian’s defensive vulnerabilities, it is likely that the home side will win a set piece early in the match. Their aggressive start, combined with Hibernian’s propensity to concede fouls, suggests that St Mirren will have a set piece opportunity within the first 10 minutes.
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