Inverness Caledonian Thistle vs St Johnstone betting tips: Scottish Premiership play-off Final first leg preview, predictions and odds

By Ben Gray Published: May 18, 2022 2:24 pm

Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC

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St Johnstone FC

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McAlear, Reece

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McAlear, Reece

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Hallberg, Melker

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Rooney, Shaun

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St Johnstone have won four of their last five meetings with Inverness, although the two haven’t clashed since April 2017. Caley Thistle though have won seven of their last eight encounters at Caledonian Stadium. This is the eighth Premiership play-off final; to date four (57%) have been won by the top-flight team. 

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Under 2.5 goals is 8/15.

Draw and under 2.5 goals is 13/5.

Callum Hendry has scored seven goals for St Johnstone in 2022. He is 11/2 to break the deadlock and 21/10 to add to his tally.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle to draw 1-1 with St Johnstone- 5/1!

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Match preview

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MAY 22: Shaun Rooney of St Johnstone celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Scottish Cup Final between St Johnstone and Hibernian at Hampden Park on May 22, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

It’s been quite a 12 months or so for St Johnstone supporters and now they face two humungous games with Premiership status on the line.

Exactly one year ago on Sunday, the Saints beat Hibs in the Scottish Cup Final, adding to their League Cup triumph of three months earlier.

Thus, they became just the third Scottish club, after Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen, to lift multiple trophies in the same season.

This double cup success saw them begin the new campaign with a pair of glamour European ties.

However, they exited continental competition in the play-off round following defeats to Galatasaray and LASK, despite drawing both first legs away.

In league terms, Callum Davidson’s side lost 13 of their first 21 matches, including a run of eight straight defeats either side of Christmas.

They were unable to recover from this but, having won four of their last six at home, avoided automatic relegation, finishing above Dundee.

Thus, a season that began with a two-legged tie in İstanbul ends with one of even more importance in the Highlands.

St Johnstone have only won once on the road since Halloween so can they change that in this crucial first leg?

Inverness meanwhile are desperate to end their five-year exile from the top-flight and have had to work extremely hard just to get this far.

Caley Thistle came third in the Championship this season, so entered these play-offs at the quarter-final stage.

There, they came from behind to beat Partick Thistle 3-1 on aggregate with Austin Samuels on target in both legs.

Then, in last week’s semi-finals, after 210 minutes of football, they and Arbroath could not be separated with no goals having been scored.

This is despite the fact both Danny Devine and Wallace Duffy were sent off for the Caley Jags at Gayfield.

In the shootout, Billy Mckay, Joe Hardy, Sean Welsh, Cameron Harper and Kirk Broadfoot all converted as Inverness, just, snuck through.

Thus, Caley Thistle have never been closer to a Premiership return and, if they are to achieve this, will surely need to make this home leg count.

With the second leg on Monday, who will take a giant step towards Premiership football with victory at Caledonian Stadium?

Inverness Caledonian Thistle team news

Inverness CT’s David Raven and Partick’s Christie Elliot (right) in action during the Scottish Premiership match at The Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness. (Photo by Jeff Holmes/PA Images via Getty Images)

As mentioned, centre-back Danny Devine and right-back Wallace Duffy were both sent off last Friday night, meaning both are suspended.

So, Cameron Harper is likely to come into the backline, alongside the experienced Kirk Broadfoot.

Austin Samuels led the line at Gayfield having scored in both legs against Partick Thistle.

However, top-scorer Billy McKay, who has 15 to his name this season, will lead the line.

Joe Hardy could also return, flanked by dangerous duo Shane Sutherland and Logan Chalmers.

St Johnstone team news

St Johnstone players celebrate after Galatasaray goalkeeper İsmail Çipe (not pictured) scores an own goal during the UEFA Europa Conference League third qualifying round, second leg match at McDiarmid Park, Perth. Picture date: Thursday August 12, 2021. (Photo by Steve Welsh/PA Images via Getty Images)

The Saints are still without their best midfielder David Wotherspoon and key striker Chris Kane due to long-term injuries.

Callum Davidson rotated heavily for Sunday’s final league match of the season, a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Hibernian.

But, all the big guns will be back for this trip to the Highlands.

This includes goalkeeper Zander Clark, defenders James Brown and Liam Gordon alongside veteran midfielder Murray Davidson.

Right-wing-back Shaun Rooney became a cult hero last season, scoring the winner in both the League Cup and Scottish Cup Finals.

Callum Hendry will return up front, alongside Glenn Middleton, with Nadir Çiftçi back on the bench.

The Turk hasn’t scored since arriving from MKE Ankaragücü in January, but did bag a brace at Caledonian Stadium for Dundee United eight years ago.

Scottish Premiership table:

Scottish Championship table:

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