SlipsTips Tips: Hearts vs St Mirren

Having delivered winning selections in each of his last four featured columns, SlipsTips shares his favourite fancy from Saturday's solitary Scottish Cup quarter-final tie between Heart of Midlothian and St Mirren.

Heart of Midlothian vs St Mirren (Saturday, 19:45)

With a spot in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup on the line, Heart of Midlothian and St Mirren prepare for battle in the quarter-final stage on Saturday night.

Hearts, who are currently the best of the rest domestically behind Scottish Premiership heavyweights Celtic and Rangers, have eliminated Auchinleck Talbot and Livingston to reach this stage of the competition.

As for St Mirren, they have seen off Ayr United and Kelty Hearts to march to the last-eight and they will head into this tie in high spirits after securing a last-gasp 1-0 victory at Dundee on Wednesday night.

Stephen Robinson's side may have a taste for revenge here after suffering a 2-0 defeat at home to Hearts a fortnight ago but the bookmakers’ odds suggest they could suffer a similar fate in the capital this weekend.

Jambos backers will be offered a general 3/4 about Robbie Neilson's side sealing their passage to the semi-final stage but we can get some 21/20 (William Hill) on the home team scoring two or more goals and that looks a little too big to ignore.

Although injury and fitness issues are affecting Hearts’ preparation ahead of this cup tie, they are still a strong squad packed with some stellar talents.

What’s more, Hearts have scored two or more goals in 14 of their 30 (47%) Scottish Premiership matches this season – a tally only topped by the Old Firm – with Robbie Neilson’s side netting twice in each of their last three outings.

Whilst St Mirren are a hard-working and well-organised outfit who never go down without a fight, they have shipped two or more goals in a league-high nine of their 16 (56%) Scottish top-flight road trips this term to date.

The Buddies midweek exertions could also take their toll in the capital, while Hearts having the week off will have allowed their battle-weary squad time to rest and recuperate ahead of what promises to be a tasty televised tussle under the Tynecastle lights.

With this in mind, coupled with the fact that Hearts have scored exactly twice in each of their previous three meetings with St Mirren this season, supporting the same bet on Saturday night stands out at a value 21/20 (William Hill).