St Johnstone vs Inverness Caledonian Thistle betting tips: Scottish Premiership Play-off Final Second Leg preview, predictions and odds

By Ben Gray Published: May 21, 2022 2:26 pm
Last Updated: May 22, 2022 10:05 am

St Johnstone FC

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Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC

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Rooney, Shaun

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Hendry, Callum

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First leg score: Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2-2 St Johnstone 

Inverness are winless in six visits to McDiarmid Park, only winning in Perth twice since 2003.This is the eighth Premiership play-off final; to date four (57%) have been won by the top-flight team. 

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Both teams to score NO is 4/6.

St Johnstone to win and both teams to score NO is 7/4.

Callum Hendry has scored seven Premiership goals in 2022, the second-most of any player. He is 6/1 to break the deadlock 7/4 to score anytime.

St Johnstone to win 2-0 against Inverness Caledonian Thistle- 13/2!

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Match preview

INVERNESS, SCOTLAND – MAY 20: Greg Tansey of Inverness Caledonian Thistle celebrates after he scores during the Ladbrokes Premiership match between Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Motherwell at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium on May 20th, 2017 in Inverness, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

After a surprisingly thrilling first leg on Friday night, these two meet again and, this time, there will have to be a winner.

Three nights ago at Caledonian Stadium, St Johnstone appeared to be in cruise control.

The Saints broke the deadlock after 18 minutes thanks to Shaun Rooney’s towering back-post header.

Mere moments later, it was 2-0; Glenn Middleton couldn’t quite bundle the ball over the line, but Melker Hallberg was on hand to do just that.

However, with 17 minutes to play, the tie came alive when Austin Samuels’ pull-back was emphatically hammered home by Reece McAlear.

Seven minutes later, Caley Thistle resorted parity when McAlear’s stunning free-kick found the top corner; Zander Clark had no chance.

Despite being second best for over an hour, Inverness could actually have won the game, but 2-2 it finished in the Highlands.

So, with the away goals rule having been abolished, it’s now winner takes all in Perth.

St Johnstone enjoyed unprecedented success in 2021, winning both cup competitions, before glamour European ties against Galatasaray and LASK.

However, Callum Davidson’s side never recovered from their slow start in the league so ended up second bottom of the table, above only Dundee.

Saints’ fans can take encouragement from the fact that their last four wins have all come at home, needing another victory to preserve top-flight status.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle meanwhile are craving promotion following five seasons in the second-tier.

Billy Dodds’ side ended up third in the Scottish Championship, meaning they entered these play-offs at the quarter-final stage.

There, Caley Thistle came from a goal down in Glasgow to dump out Partick Thistle 3-1 on aggregate.

Then, after 210 goalless minutes, they took Arbroath to a penalty shootout at Gayfield, converting all five spot-kicks to sneak through.

Since relegation in 2017, Inverness have never been closer to a Premiership return, so will it be a famous night for the Highlanders?

It won’t be easy as St Johnstone have home advantage and will have the backing of a sold-out McDiarmid Park.

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)

Key midfielders David Wotherspoon and Craig Bryson are out long-term, as is star striker Chris Kane.

So, Glenn Middleton, who looked bright on Friday night, and Callum Hendry will lead the line, chosen over Nadir Çiftçi and Stevie May.

Right-wing-back Shaun Rooney has now scored in the League Cup Final, Scottish Cup Final and Premiership play-off final.

He’ll be hoping to come up with another crucial goal in this one.

Midfielder Murray Davidson will make his 407th and final appearance for St Johnstone so will be desperate to go out on a high.

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)

Danny Devine and Wallace Duffy, both of whom were sent off in the second leg against Arbroath, sat out the first leg suspended.

However, both could return here, notable Devine at centre-back, alongside Kirk Broadfoot who lost the play-off final with Kilmarnock 12 months ago.

Key attacker Shane Sutherland hobbled off at Gayfield so is injured, while Logan Chalmers was only fit enough for the bench on Friday night.

Reece McAlear’s brace at Caledonian Stadium is what means this tie is still alive; will he be key again?

Scottish Premiership table:

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