Preview: Hibernian vs. St Mirren - prediction, team news, lineups

Hibernian will continue the search for their first Scottish Premiership victory since the winter break on Saturday when they welcome St Mirren to Easter Road in their latest fixture.

The visitors are enjoying a four-match undefeated run right now, and could climb as high as seventh in the table with another win, depending on other results.

Match preview

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Hibernian have struggled so far in 2022, despite a good first half of the season, with the club failing to win a single game in the league after the winter break.

The Hibees have competed four times in the Scottish Premiership since their return, only taking two points, with one of those draws coming in their most recent outing, which took place in midweek.

This was a goalless encounter against Hearts, which is the second time they have played out a 0-0 in the last month, as they also gained the same result when playing Motherwell.

A defeat at the weekend has the potential for them to slip into the bottom half of the table, which places a little bit of extra pressure on the squad, with the group needing to get a result.

While they have done well defensively as of late, keeping three clean sheets in their past six matches across all competitions, Shaun Maloney will be keen to turn that strong base into a victory.

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On the other hand, St Mirren have been consistently gaining results since the turn of the year, and they are yet to be defeated in 2022 across all competitions, which has breathed confidence into the group.

Their most recent match saw them share the points with Motherwell, but it was a disappointing result for the club after they conceded an equaliser in the 91st minute as Ross Tierney found the back of the net to cause late heartbreak.

However, prior to that, the Buddies were able to secure victories against Aberdeen and Dundee United, which created some distance between them and the relegation zone, as they now sit eight points away from St Johnstone.

Jim Goodwin's team now have the chance to climb the table even more if they are victorious on Saturday, as the squad could end up moving as high as seventh depending on other results.

Neither team has managed to take three points away from the other this season, as both of their previous encounters ended in draws, with the first match finishing 2-2 and the other being 1-1.

Team News

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Maciej Dabrowski marked his debut in goal for Hibernian with a clean sheet against Hearts during their most recent outing, and he will likely retain his place on Saturday, especially with Matt Macey injured.

Sylvester Jasper joined the Hibees on deadline day and was involved in the matchday squad in midweek, but he did not feature within the match, and this weekend could mark his first appearance for the club.

Alex Gogic was able to make an impression in his first match for St Mirren against Motherwell by finding the back of the net, and he will be hoping that his individual performance was enough to push him into the team from the first whistle this time.

Scott Tanser missed out on the match due to injury, while the Buddies are now without Jamie McGrath, as he left the club at the end of the January transfer window, joining Wigan Athletic.

Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Dabrowski; Bushiri, Porteous, Stevenson; Cadden, Doyle-Hayes, Newell, Doig, Mueller; Nisbet, Doidge

St Mirren possible starting lineup:
Alnwick; Fraser, Shaughnessy, Dunne, Tait; Power, Ronan; Henderson, Kiltie, Jones; Brophy

We say: Hibernian 1-2 St Mirren

Hibernian might be further up the league table right now, but in terms of the most recent form, it is the visitors who are coming into the game with more confidence.

The fixture will likely be a closely fought one between the two teams, but it is the Buddies who could edge this one, especially with their performances as of late.

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