Still searching for their first league win of the campaign, Hearts will host St Mirren at Tynecastle Park on Saturday afternoon in the Scottish Premiership.
The hosts are bottom of the table with two points from eight outings, while St Mirren sit sixth in the standings with eight points from their eight league games.
Match preview
© Imago
Since earning promotion back into the top division as champions of the Scottish Championship in 2020-21, Hearts have enjoyed three brilliant campaigns in the Scottish Premiership.
Having finished third in 2021-22, fourth in 2022-23, and third once more in 2023-24, Hearts would have been hoping to replicate that success with another impressive season in 2024-25.
However, after eight league games the Jam Tarts sit at the foot of the table with just two points, from two draws and six losses, marking an extremely disappointing opening to the campaign.
Steven Naismith was dismissed after their 2-1 defeat to St Mirren in September, which marked their eighth consecutive loss, leaving Liam Fox to step in as interim manager for the subsequent matches.
Fox led the side to a 1-1 draw in his opening match against Ross County before recording the first win of the campaign against Dinamo Minsk in the Conference League, but Hearts fell to defeat once again to Aberdeen in their last outing.
Neil Critchley has since been appointed as the new permanent manager, and the former Blackpool boss will be looking to kick off his tenure with a first league victory of the campaign against St Mirren.
The visitors will undoubtedly be the favourites heading into Saturday's encounter owing to Hearts' poor start, but St Mirren have endured problems of their own in recent weeks.
After starting the term unbeaten in their first four outings across all competitions, St Mirren experienced a downturn as they went on a run of four consecutive losses in the following games.
Their form seemed to be on the rise after drawing with both Dundee FC and Kilmarnock, along with a win against Hearts, but they have since faced setbacks with two defeats to Motherwell and Dundee United leading into this match.
Steve Robinson, who has been at the helm since February 2022, will be eager for his team to get back to winning ways against Hearts on Saturday, especially given his side have already demonstrated their superiority with a 2-1 victory in September.
Team News
![Stephen Robinson of St Mirren during the UEFA Europa Conference League Second Qualifying Round Second Leg match at the SMISA Stadium, Paisley, on August 1, 2024 [on August 2, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/31/stephen-robinson.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Stephen Robinson of St Mirren during the UEFA Europa Conference League Second Qualifying Round Second Leg match at the SMISA Stadium, Paisley, on August 1, 2024 [on August 2, 2024]")
© Imago
The hosts will be without Jorge Grant for this match after the midfielder was dismissed against Aberdeen for an accumulation of yellow cards.
Calem Nieuwenhof and Gerald Taylor will both also be unavailable due to injuries, while Daniel Oyegoke and Stephen Kingsley are doubts after coming off injured last time out.
Elsewhere, there may be several changes to the starting lineup, as this match will mark the first under the management of newly appointed Critchley.
The visitors will be without Alex Iacovitti, due to a tendon injury, and Conor McMenamin, due to a knee injury, though the latter is expected to return later this month.
Scott Tanser could come back into the starting side after serving his suspension in the last outing against Dundee United, having received a red card against Motherwell.
Hearts possible starting lineup:
Gordon; Forrester, Kent, Rowles, Penrice; Vargas, Spittal, Boateng, Baningime, Dhanda, Shankland
St Mirren possible starting lineup:
Balcombe; Fraser, Gogic, Taylor; Bwomono, Phillips, Boyd-Munce, O'Hara, Tanser; Olusanya, Mandron
We say: Hearts 1-2 St Mirren
While we anticipate an improved performance from Hearts in their first game under Critchley, the visitors have had a much stronger start to the season, leading us to believe they will win this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
