St Johnstone vs Heart of Midlothian betting tips: Scottish Premiership preview, predictions and odds

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Just four of the last 14 meetings between these two sides have seen both teams score.

Both teams to score NO is 4/6.

Heart of Midlothian to win and both teams to score NO is 15/8.

Liam Boyce has scored twice in his last three appearance against St Johnstone. The Northern Irish striker is 9/2 to break the deadlock and 7/4 to score anytime.

Match preview

Heart of Midlothian v Celtic – Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – JULY 31: Gary Mackay-Steven of Heart of Midlothian celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Heart of Midlothian and Celtic at Tynecastle Park on July 31, 2021 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

Can Heart of Midlothian rediscover their form from earlier this season?

The Jambos come into this one having lost back-to-back Premiership games for the first time since returning to the top-flight.

In all, Robbie Neilson’s side have taken just four points from their last five games but remain third, a massive ten points clear of Dundee United.

Remember, if one of the top three wins the Scottish Cup, third place secures guaranteed European group stage football, something Hearts have never previously enjoyed.

The Jambos themselves are still in the running to win the cup after beating Livingston on penalties after a goalless draw last weekend.

Craig Gordon was the hero, saving two spot-kicks, as they reach the quarter-finals where they’ll host St Mirren.

St Johnstone meanwhile won both cup competitions last season, an extraordinary achievement, but are enduring a miserable campaign this time round.

On Tuesday night, the Saints could only draw 1-1 with Aberdeen at Pittodrie, taking the lead through Callum Hendry before conceding a very contentious penalty.

This leaves the Saints rooted to the foot of the table, having only lost one of their last five, but only winning once since 30 October.

Callum Davidson’s men are one point below Dundee, who occupy the relegation play-off spot, but are seven adrift of Ross County and safety.

Will Hearts be too strong at McDiarmid?

St Johnstone team news

St Johnstone v Celtic – Scottish Cup – Quarter Final – McDiarmid Park A general view of the pitch before the Scottish Cup, Quarter Final at McDiarmid Park, Perth. (Photo by Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty Images)

Scoring goals has been St Johnstone’s problem this season, netting just 23 in 34 matches in all competitions.

Goalkeeper Zander Clark, midfielder Melker Hallberg and Callum Hendry are ‘all struggling’ after all three went off with hamstring injuries at Pittodrie.

It only gets worse with Shaun Rooney, Craig Bryson, David Wotherspoon, Chris Kane and January signing Nadir Çiftçi all already injured.

Thus, former Hibernian winger Glenn Middleton could be shouldering a lot of the attacking responsibility.

Heart of Midlothian team news

Hearts v Hibs – Scottish Championship EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – JANUARY 3 : A general view of Tynecastle Stadium the home of Heart of Midlothian F.C. during the Scottish Championship match between Heart of Midlothian F.C. and Hibernian F.C. at Tynecastle Stadium on January 3, 2015 in Edinburgh Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

Craig Halkett is the only major injury concern for Hearts after he hobbled off against Celtic last month.

In attacking areas, they have great options after Ellis Simms’ arrival on loan from Everton.

Josh Ginnelly, Ben Woodburn and Liam Boyce all sat on the bench for last weekend’s cup tie but Ginnelly and Boyce in particular will surely return here.

Scottish Premiership table:

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