HIBERNIAN will look to move off the foot of the Scottish Premiership table as they welcome away-day strugglers St Mirren to Easter Road on Saturday afternoon.
It’s been a difficult start to life as Hibs head coach for David Gray, with the club legend seeing his side sit bottom of the Scottish Premiership table after winning just once and picking up eight points from a possible 33 (W1-D5-L5).
The Hibees have lost just one of their previous five Premiership matches at their Leith base (W1-D3-L1), but conceding in the final 10 minutes in four of those have seen them drop seven points.
St Mirren failed to make it back-to-back wins in the Scottish Premiership for the first time this season last week, as they played out a goalless draw at home to Ross County in a match they missed a first-half spot-kick to leave them in seventh position, four points better off than their hosts.
However, Stephen Robinson’s visitors have struggled on their travels this season, picking up just one point from their opening five road trips (W0-D1-L4), with that coming in an entertaining 2-2 draw at Dundee at the end of August.
How the bookies view it: Hibees unconvincing favourites
Generally, the golden rule is to avoid backing Hibs when odds on favourites at home, with William Hill pricing them up at 17/20.
However, The Buddies have been poor on the road themselves, which is why Bet365 are offering odds of 15/4 for an away win, whilst the draw is priced at 13/5 at William Hill.
Head to head: Buddies to bully The Hibees again?
St Mirren are unbeaten in each of their previous four Premiership meetings with Hibs (W3-D1-L0), winning on both of their visits to Easter Road last season (2-3 & 0-3), as well as a 3-0 victory in Paisley on the opening weekend of the season.
Players to watch: Boyle to get back on the scoresheet?
Hibernian’s star player is, without a doubt, Martin Boyle, but the Australian has scored just twice this season. With the shortage of forward options, David Gray will hope his talisman steps up.
Former Hibee Alex Gogic scored on his last visit to Easter Road in February and also scored in St Mirren’s previous away match in their 2-1 defeat at Rangers.
Probable line-ups
Ukrainian striker Mykola Kuharevich’s second yellow ultimately cost Hibs two points last time out, with his suspension potentially seeing veteran striker Dwight Gayle come back into the starting 11 if deemed fit enough after missing the clash with Dundee United last time out.
Alex Iacovitti remains on the sidelines for St Mirren, whilst defender Charles Dunne is a doubt after missing the goalless draw with Ross County.
Hibernian: Bursik, Miller, Ekpiteta, O’hora, Obita, Kwon, Newell, Triantis, Boyle, Hoilett, Gayle
St Mirren: Balcombe, Fraser, Gogic, Taylor, McMenamin, Phillips, O’Hara, Tanser, Ayunga, Kiltie, Olusanya
Anything else catch the eye?”
Given how inconsistent both of these sides have been this campaign, I’m more than happy to swerve the match result and stick to goals.
St Mirren’s opening 12 Premiership contests this season have averaged exactly three goals per game, with Over 2.5 Goals banking in a league-high 10 (83%) of them, including 5/5 (100%) on the road.
Four (80%) of The Buddies’ road trips have also produced goals at both ends – and given the same has also landed in four of Hibs’s previous five at Easter Road – I’m happy to have a play on both of these sides getting on the scoresheet too.
Whatsmore, goals have been a feature in recent meetings between the two sides, with the last six averaging exactly four goals per game, with Over 2.5 Goals paying out in all six (100%) of them, whilst four (67%) have also produced goals at both ends.
This Scottish Premiership match between Hibernian and St Mirren will be played on Nov 9, 2024 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Hibernian vs St Mirren prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
