Hearts v St Johnstone: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Just a point separates Hearts and St Johnstone at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table and the two relegation-threatened sides meet at Tynecastle in a crucial clash.

Hearts v St Johnstone betting tips and predictions

Hearts/Hearts double result - 7/5

The Scottish Premiership’s bottom two teams meet in the capital for a key contest and the hosts can be fancied to see off their relegation rivals.

Clearly, it’s hard to imagine a club the size of the Jambos struggling at the wrong end of the table, but Hearts have slipped out of the top-flight in the recent past.

And for all the quality Neil Critchley’s men possess to move clear of the drop zone, their position at the bottom of Scotland’s top division has to have alarm bells ringing.

Critchley took over from Steven Naismith after a disastrous start to the season saw Hearts go 11 matches before recording their first victory of the campaign. 

The former Blackpool boss looked to have made a positive impact when first taking to the Tynecastle dugout, but the Gorgie faithful will have hoped for better than just four victories in 14 matches. 

However, a Tynecastle tie against struggling St Johnstone looks an excellent chance to pull away from danger.

The league table may suggest otherwise, but Hearts are a superior side in nearly every measure.

The Jambos are miles clear of the Saints on expected goals and shot data and the capital side have to be considered pretty unfortunate to be in such a lowly position.

Hearts are recording a positive expected goal difference of 0.15 in the Scottish Premiership this term, while Saints have registered figures of -0.46.

The visitors have claimed victory in only three of their last 16 matches and Simo Valakari’s men have won only two away league games all season, with the Perth side not having resources to compete with the Scottish top-flight’s bigger clubs.

That’s exactly what Hearts are, so back the Jambos should show the gulf in class between the two teams on Sunday.

Hearts to win to nil - 13/8

Saints have scored only 17 goals in 17 Scottish Premiership matches and finding the net has become a major chore for them. 

Forward Adama Sidibeh looked capable of being a major threat for the Perth side in the early part of the campaign, but the Gambian striker has hit only two league goals this term and Valakari is struggling to find a regular source of goals at the top of the pitch. 

The Saints have hit the net just seven times in their last seven games and they needed a Nicky Clark penalty to get on the scoresheet in the reverse fixture between these teams in November.

Hearts have failed to reach the heights they would have hoped for this term, but the Jambos have kept home clean sheets against Rangers, St Mirren, Dundee and Omonia Nicosia this season, so the Jam Tarts rate as a sweet bet to win to nil at Tynecastle.

Read more football betting tips and predictions on site

Hearts v St Johnstone odds

Hearts - 11/20
Draw - 16/5
St Johnstone - 9/2

View the full market and more odds for Hearts v St Johnstone on site

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.