KELTY HEARTS have been tearing up League Two this season so they will fancy their chances of springing a Scottish Cup shock against holders St Johnstone.
Saints were the knockout kings last term as they lifted both domestic cups but they find themselves on the ropes now having lost nine games in a row.
Callum Davidson tried to halt the slump with a January signing spree but Hearts still had too much class for the Perth men in the first game back after the winter break.
Two of my bets came up in that 2-0 Jambos win and this tricky Scottish Cup tie is the last thing St Johnstone need with morale at rock bottom.
Kelty have taken the step up to the SPFL in their stride and hold a seven-point lead at the top of League Two with two games in hand.
Rubber-stamping promotion remains the goal for boss Kevin Thomson but he will see this tie as a chance to really put Kelty on the Scottish football map.
His team have been sloppy of late, losing 5-1 at Annan and throwing away a two-goal lead to draw with Edinburgh City, but this would be the perfect time to roar back to form.
How the bookies view it
Despite their woeful form, St Johnstone are odds-on favourites here at a best 3/5 with Unibet for a win inside 90 minutes. Plenty of punters will fancy a nibble on Kelty at 5/1 with William Hill while the draw at 90 minutes pays 17/5 with Mansionbet.
To qualify, Bet365 price Saints at just 2/7 while the League Two leaders are 5/2.
Head to head
These sides have faced off just once before and it was a tight League Cup tie back in 2020. St Johnstone just edged a 2-1 win away from home (below) thanks to goals from Jason Kerr and Chris Kane.
Players to watch
Nathan Austin has been a punter's pal this season and I've cashed in a few times by backing him to score. The Kelty stiker has 18 for the season and will fancy his chances against St Johnstone's defence. McBookie price Austin at 11/4 to net again here.
Chris Kane has been a cup talisman for Saints and I'd expect him to start here after coming off the bench at Tynecastle in midweek. He scored in that League Cup tie at Kelty and could be worth backing for a repeat at 11/10 with McBookie.
Anything else catch the eye?
Dundee United had to settle for a 1-0 win at Kelty in the League Cup earlier this season and I cashed in by backing Thomson's side in the handicaps that night. Kelty + 2 paid odds-against that night but it's not so good here at a best 4/7 with QuinnBet.
Backing a one-goal winning margin for either side is better at 8/5 with McBookie while the half-time draw is another good option at 21/17 with SBK.
Neither side has been keeping it tight at the back in recent weeks so BTTS appeals at 9/10 with SportNation while backing most goals to come in the second half pays 21/20 at William Hill.
This Scottish Cup match between Kelty Hearts and St Johnstone will be played on Jan 22, 2022 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Kelty Hearts vs St Johnstone prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
