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St Johnstone logo
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 33
Apr 13, 2024 at 3pm UK
McDiarmid Park
Kilmarnock logo

St Johnstone
0 - 2
Kilmarnock

FT(HT: 0-1)
Wright (23'), Watkins (81')

Preview: St Johnstone vs. Kilmarnock - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Scottish Premiership clash between St Johnstone and Kilmarnock, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Two teams with completely contrasting goals in the Scottish Premiership will meet on Saturday as St Johnstone hosts Kilmarnock.

The hosts are attempting to push away from the relegation zone to try and secure survival in the top flight, while the visitors are aiming to break into the top three.


Match preview

St Johnstone's Liam Gordon in action with Rangers' Fabio Silva on February 18, 2024© Reuters

St Johnstone picked up a crucial victory last weekend against Hibernian, with Tony Gallacher scoring an 81st-minute winner to help push his team further away from the relegation zone.

The Saints currently sit just one place above Ross County, but with only four points between them, there is no room for error right now, placing plenty of pressure on each outing.

While Craig Levein's men do not need to worry about trying to scramble for a place in the top half before the division splits, there is just as much importance on all of their matches right now.

The Saints have been slightly stronger at home throughout this season, which should provide them with some confidence heading into this weekend, and the fact they have had several close games against Kilmarnock this season proves they are capable of causing problems.

St Johnstone and Killie have one victory against each other in this campaign, but another win for the hosts could see them go level with Aberdeen in ninth place.

Kilmarnock players in action against Celtic on April 16, 2023© Reuters

The visitors might not have the threat of relegation looming over them, but they need the points just as much for their personal goals of attempting to finish in third place.

While the two Old Firm clubs are certainly out of reach at this stage, there is no doubt that Killie will still have the belief they can catch Hearts with the remaining games.

With 11 points between the two teams, there is very little room for error as far as Kilmarnock are concerned, especially since others are breathing down their necks for the fourth place that they currently occupy.

Kyle Vassell's goal was enough to dispatch Ross County during Killie's most recent outing, and that extended their current unbeaten run in the league to four games.

Extending that on Saturday could be crucial in their bid to break into the top three, but only two of Kilmarnock's 12 wins have come in away matches this season, which is a cause for concern.

St Johnstone Scottish Premiership form:

Kilmarnock Scottish Premiership form:


Kilmarnock form (all competitions):



Team News

Craig Levein in charge of Hearts on April 13, 2019© Reuters

Liam Gordon missed out on St Johnstone's most recent outing due to injury and that should lead to Andy Considine retaining his place in the starting XI.

Sven Sprangler is another player who has been unavailable lately for the Saints, and that is expected to continue this weekend as he is yet to fully recover from his injury issues.

Liam Donnelly was able to feature for Kilmarnock during their last outing despite being brought off in the previous game due to a fitness issue, and he should be kept in the team once again this time.

Vassell and Marley Watkins have eight goals between them in their previous five matches and it is unlikely that the strike partnership will be altered here.


St Johnstone possible starting lineup:
Mitov; McGowan, Considine, Robinson; Keltjens, Kucheriavyi, Phillips, Smith, Gallacher; Sidibeh, Clark

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
Dennis; Mayo, Wright, Findlay, Deas; Donnelly, Armstrong, Polworth, Kennedy; Watkins, Vassell



SM words green background

We say: St Johnstone 1-2 Kilmarnock

Both teams will be pushing to secure points for different reasons this weekend, but out of the two, it is Kilmarnock who are enjoying a much stronger season.

While Killie typically struggles away from home, they should have enough quality in this particular match to take three points.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Game History

How you voted: St Johnstone vs Kilmarnock

St Johnstone
40.0%
Draw
0.0%
Kilmarnock
60.0%
5
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1211103543134
2Aberdeen12101125121331
3RangersRangers12723179823
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd135531914520
5Motherwell126151616019
6St Mirren145361923-418
7Dundee134362225-315
8Ross County143651222-1015
9St Johnstone144191727-1013
10Kilmarnock133371526-1112
11Hearts142391524-99
12Hibernian131571222-108


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