The opening weekend of Scottish Premiership action is split over four days and the first of Saturday's two top-flight fixtures could see Falkirk getting off to a winning start against St Mirren.
The Bairns exceeded expectations in 2025/26 by finishing sixth in the first season back at the top level following successive promotions in the previous two years.
The Buddies won the Scottish League Cup last season, but their league campaign was far less successful as they finished 11th and needed a 2-1 aggregate win over Partick Thistle in the promotion/relegation play-off to retain their place in the Scottish Premiership.
Falkirk v St Mirren Tips Summary
Best Bet - Falkirk to win @ 1/1
Alternative Bet - Ross MacIver to score at any time @ 12/5
Bet Builder - Both teams to score, Over 3.5 goals, Ben Parkinson 1+ shots on target & Eseosa Sule 1+ shots on target @ 5/1
Falkirk v St Mirren Prediction
Best Bet: Falkirk to win @ 1/1
Both of these two teams could struggle to repeat their high points last season, but Falkirk look the right favourites for their opening clash on Saturday.
The Bairns did superbly well to finish sixth in the Scottish Premiership last season, making that position their own in the second half of the campaign after flying as high as fourth early on.
They understandably found life tough after the split, losing four of their final five games, but it was still a more pleasant end to the campaign than St Mirren enjoyed.
The Buddies finished 11th and had to go through the promotion/relegation playoff to retain their top-flight status and they could be in for another struggle this term.
St Mirren had a wild ride in their Scottish League Cup campaign, scoring four goals in each of their first three matches, but that included a 4-3 win from being 3-0 down to League One East Kilbride and their final result brought their first defeat with a 1-0 loss to Championship outfit Dunfermline.
Falkirk missed out on qualification after a costly 1-0 loss to Ayr United in their second outing, but they won their last match 3-0 against Stranraer and should be able to open up in the league with a home win.
St Mirren won only three of their 19 away league games last season and, while they recorded comfortable League Cup away wins over lower-league Dumbarton and Cove Rangers, this is a much tougher assignment.
Falkirk have lost some key players from last year, but shrewd manager John McGlynn has made some decent pick-ups among his 11 summer signings.
Alternative Bet: Ross MacIver to score at any time @ 12/5
Falkirk striker Ross MacIver began this campaign in the best possible way with a hat-trick against Edinburgh City and he looks a prime candidate to get on the scoresheet in Saturday's league curtain-raiser.
MacIver missed most of last season with an ankle injury, but was back in action with two appearances at the end of the campaign and looks sharp again.
St Mirren have conceded four goals to lower-division opposition in their last two games and should provide MacIver with chances to open his league account for the season.
Falkirk v St Mirren Bet Builder Tip
Both teams to score
Over 3.5 goals
Ben Parkinson 1+ shots on target
Eseosa Sule 1+ shots on target
Pays 5/1
Begin a four-leg bet builder on Saturday's SPL match tie by expecting an entertaining contest and taking over 3.5 goals and both teams to score.
St Mirren scored four goals in three of their four League Cup games and, while they should find the going tougher at Falkirk, the Bairns' defence kept only two clean sheets in four League Cup games against weaker rivals and the visitors can contribute to the total.
The Bairns scored nine goals in their four League Cup games and both teams scored in two of the three league meetings between the teams last season.
Add a pair of shot-on-target selections with Ben Parkinson for the hosts and Eseosa Sule for the Saints.
Parkinson should need no encouragement to have a crack at goal after scoring in two of his side's four League Cup fixtures, while Sule looks to be the Buddies' chief threat this season and scored a penalty on his debut against East Kilbride.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
Falkirk earned 15 more points in the league than St Mirren last season
The Bairns scored 33 of their 50 league goals at home last term
St Mirren lost 12 of their 19 away league games last season
There were over 3.5 goals in three of St Mirren's four League Cup matches
All three league meetings between the teams last season were level at half-time
St Mirren had 10 different goalscorers in their four League Cup fixtures
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
