This Scottish Premier League match will kick off at 14:45 GMT on Saturday 20th February 2011 at St Mirren Park, Paisley.
St Mirren continue to limp on the wrong side of the table, picking up odd points here and there to stay clear of Hamilton Accies and the dreaded relegation spot, but in reality they look far from convincing. If Accies ever finds his confidence in himself, it could all be over for St Mirren.
The question on everyone’s lips right now is “Are the Hibs working fine at last?” They just had two wins in a row, so maybe they are. Of course, it’s too early to tell, but it does make this game harder to read. Before those wins, not so many would have rooted for Hibs to win at Paisley, but now…?
A look at how these teams have performed in recent games will give us an indication of what the weekend game between them will be like:
St Mirren’s last 5 games record reads…
[St Mirren’s score first]
February 12 Local 3-3 vs. Inverness Caledonian Thistle
February 5 Away 2-1 against Ayr United (Scottish Cup)
February 2 Away 0-2 vs. Hibernian
January 26 Local 1-1 against Dundee United
22 January Away 0-0 vs St Johnstone
Hibernian’s last 5 game record reads…
[Hibernian’s score first]
February 12 Local 2-1 against Kilmarnock
February 2 Local 2-0 vs St Mirren
January 30 Away 0-3 v Dundee United
January 26 Local 0-2 vs. Rangers
Jan 22 Away 0-2 v Motherwell
Note: In analyzing the current form of these two teams, I have taken their most recent games into account, regardless of whether these were in the Scottish Premier League or not. You can assume that all previous matches have taken place in the Scottish Premier League, except where you have specified otherwise in parentheses.
I’d be inclined to give Hibs the benefit of the doubt and hope they use him against the Saints. Derek Riordan cannot keep quiet for long and with new signings Akpo Sodje and Victor Palsson on fire last week against Kilmarnock, the Hi-bees should win by 2 or even 3 clear goals.
There is nothing like a Hibs that works perfectly, is very safe and works flat out. Maybe we’re heading towards that. For the sake of Scottish football, let’s hope so.