Hearts v St Mirren
Football: Scottish Premier League
Saturday 16th January Kick Off 3pm

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Hearts 5th - Home Record W4 D3 L2
St Mirren 7th - Away Record W2 D0 L6

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Hearts were knocked out out of the Scottish Cup last weekend by Aberdeen and deservedly so as they lost 2-0 at Pittodrie. But their league form has been excellent of late. It started with a 2-1 win over Celtic and they have gone on 5 games unbeaten since then, with 3 of them wins and also a hard fought 1-1 draw over rivals and in form Hibs.

Hearts finished third last season and were favourites to do so again this season. However it has not gone according to plan and they must fight to even finish in the top 6 at this stage. Csaba Lazslo's job has not been made easier with a succession of injuries to top players such as Andrew Driver and Laryea Kingston.

But they have been hard to beat at home and have the best home defensive record along with Celtic, conceding only 6 goals. If only they could find the net more frequently themselves they would be in a stronger position.

St Mirren got all three points in midweek as they beat Aberdeen 1-0 in a scrappy affair. But as manager Gus Mcpherson said, its the three points that matter and not necessarily the manner of the performance, especially at this time of year when the conditions dont always suit good football.
That win was St Mirren's third win in a row, the second in the SPL, the other a 3-1 win over Alloa in the Cup.

They are now only 1 points off the top 6 and also face opponents Hearts in the CIS Cup semi final next month. Theres no doubt it has been quite a good season for the Paisley side, however a couple of defeats would also see them back in the dangerzone, as they are still only 8 points clear of bottom side Falkirk. Mcpherson would also have been disappointed to see one of his stars Stephen Mcginn head south to Watford whileAndy Dorman has been strongly linked to a move to Vicarage Road of late.

HEARTS LAST 5
Aberdeen 2-0 Hearts ( Scottish Cup )
Hibernian 1-1 Hearts
Hearts 1-0 Motherwell
Falkirk 0-1 Hearts
Hearts 2-1 Celtic

ST MIRREN LAST 5
St Mirren 1-0 Aberdeen
St Mirren 3-1 Alloa
St Mirren 1-0 Kilmarnock
St Johnstone 1-0 St Mirren
St Mirren 1-1 Falkirk

THE BETTING VERDICT

Hearts to continue their good run of form in the SPL with another win available at 4/5. They have been strong defensively at home and I predict a narrow victory for the Edinburgh side.

The Pick :

Hearts 2-1 St Mirren

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take HEARTS TO WIN