St Johnstone vs Kilmarnock: Scottish Premiership Preview
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In a crucial clash in the Scottish Premiership’s fight for survival, St Johnstone are set to host Kilmarnock at McDiarmid Park on Saturday. According to Sports Mole, the Saints will be desperate to bounce back after three consecutive losses, while Killie will be hoping to make it three wins from their last four.
The Scottish Premiership has reached a critical juncture, with teams battling for survival and European spots. St Johnstone, currently bottom of the table, face a daunting task against Kilmarnock, who are ninth in the standings. As noted by Sports Mole, St Johnstone’s manager, Simo Valakari, will be under pressure to turn around his team’s fortunes.
St Johnstone’s Recent Form
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St Johnstone’s recent form has been dismal, with three consecutive losses, including a 3-2 defeat to Motherwell last Saturday. The team has struggled to find consistency throughout the season, and their position at the bottom of the table reflects their poor run of form. As Sports Mole reports, St Johnstone have lost 21 games this season, and their relegation to the lower divisions looms large.
Kilmarnock’s Recent Form
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Kilmarnock, on the other hand, have shown signs of improvement, with a 2-0 win over Ross County in their last match. The team has been inconsistent on the road, losing seven consecutive away games, but they will look to turn around their fortunes against St Johnstone. According to Sports Mole, Kilmarnock’s manager, Derek McInnes, will be keen to distance his team from the relegation playoff spot with a victory.
Team News
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St Johnstone have a relatively fit squad to choose from, with centre-back Bozo Mikulic out until late 2025 with a cruciate ligament injury. Kilmarnock, on the other hand, are expected to field a full-strength team, with strikers Fraser Murray and Bruce Anderson leading the line. As Sports Mole notes, St Johnstone’s possible starting lineup could include Fisher; Curtis, Balodis, Sprangler; Duke-McKenna, Holt, Carey, Steven; Kirk, McPake; Sidibeh, while Kilmarnock may line up with O’Hara; Mayo, Deas, Findlay, Ndaba; Armstrong, Donnelly, Watson, Wales; Murray, Anderson.
Prediction
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Sports Mole predicts a 1-0 win for St Johnstone, citing their improving home form and Kilmarnock’s poor away record. The Saints will be buoyed by their home fans and will look to capitalize on Kilmarnock’s struggles on the road.
Conclusion
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The Scottish Premiership match between St Johnstone and Kilmarnock promises to be an intense and closely contested affair. With both teams fighting for survival, the stakes are high, and the pressure is on. As Sports Mole notes, St Johnstone’s home form and Kilmarnock’s poor away record make them the likely winners, but Kilmarnock will be eager to prove themselves and secure a vital win.
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