St. Johnstone vs Hearts Predictions

St. Johnstone will host Hearts at McDiarmid Park on February 23, 2025, in a significant Premiership matchup as Round 19 brings together two teams with contrasting fortunes. St. Johnstone, under Craig Levein, have battled inconsistency this season, sitting mid-table and aiming to distance themselves from the relegation zone. Hearts, managed by Neil Critchley, are chasing a European spot, leveraging their attacking flair despite recent defensive lapses. Our expert prediction explores team form, key players, head-to-head stats, and betting tips to answer: Who will win St. Johnstone vs Hearts in this Premiership clash?

Team Form & Recent Performances

St. Johnstone

• 2024/25 Record (as of Feb 23): 8W, 5D, 13L (29 points, 8th in Premiership)

• Latest Result: 1-1 draw vs. Dundee United (Feb 15, 2025)

• Home Form: 5W, 3D, 5L (18 goals scored, 16 conceded)
  St. Johnstone have been a mixed bag this season, holding eighth place with 29 points from 26 matches as of February 23, 2025. Their recent 1-1 draw against Dundee United, with Adama Sidibeh scoring, extended a three-game unbeaten run (1W, 2D), offering hope. At home, they’ve averaged 1.38 goals per game and conceded 1.23, showing resilience but struggling to convert chances into wins against stronger opponents.

Hearts

• 2024/25 Record (as of Feb 23): 14W, 6D, 6L (48 points, 3rd in Premiership)

• Latest Result: 2-1 win vs. Motherwell (Feb 15, 2025)

• Away Form: 7W, 3D, 3L (20 goals scored, 14 conceded)
  Hearts have been a force in the Premiership, sitting third with 48 points from 26 matches. Their recent 2-1 victory over Motherwell, with goals from Lawrence Shankland and Kenneth Vargas, marked a return to winning ways after a shaky spell (5W, 2D, 3L in their last 10). On the road, they’ve averaged 1.54 goals per game and conceded 1.08, bolstered by a strong Conference League campaign.

Head-to-Head Stats & Historical Context

• Overall Record: Hearts 37W, St. Johnstone 19W, 13D (69 meetings since 2000)

• Recent Meetings:

  • Nov 2, 2024: St. Johnstone 1-2 Hearts (Premiership)

  • Aug 24, 2024: Hearts 3-1 St. Johnstone (Premiership)

  • Mar 23, 2024: Hearts 1-0 St. Johnstone (Premiership)

• Key Trend: Hearts have won 7 of the last 8 meetings; 5 of their last 6 H2Hs saw both teams score.
  Hearts have dominated this fixture recently, with their 7-1 record since 2022 underscored by a 2-1 win at McDiarmid Park earlier this season. High-scoring games have been common, with an average of 2.75 goals per game in their last eight encounters, though St. Johnstone’s last home win over Hearts came in April 2022 (2-1).

Key Players to Watch

St. Johnstone

• Adama Sidibeh (FWD): 7 goals in 2024/25; St. Johnstone’s top scorer and key threat.

• Nicky Clark (FWD): 5 goals, 3 assists; experienced striker with flair.

• Ross Sinclair (GK): 6 clean sheets; vital in tight matches.

Hearts

• Lawrence Shankland (FWD): 14 goals in 2024/25; Hearts’ leading scorer and captain.

• Blair Spittal (MID): 6 goals, 5 assists; creative spark in midfield.

• Craig Gordon (GK): 8 clean sheets; veteran stabilizing the defense.

Tactical Insights & Match Dynamics

Hearts’ attacking flair (1.65 goals per game) will challenge St. Johnstone’s defensive setup (1.19 goals per game). Shankland’s finishing could exploit St. Johnstone’s backline (1.38 goals conceded per game), which has been inconsistent. St. Johnstone’s counterattacking style may test Hearts’ defense (1.04 goals conceded per game), but injuries to Uche Ikpeazu (knee) and Sam McClelland (doubtful, ankle) limit their depth. Hearts’ Calem Nieuwenhof (out, tendon) is a blow, but their 6,441-strong travelling support could sway momentum.

Prediction: St. Johnstone vs Hearts

Our Prediction: Total Goal - Under 3