St Johnstone vs Hibernian Betting Preview: Saints to fall short against Hibs

SCOTTISH football aficionado Gerry Taylor (@thefurlongpole) shares his verdict on Sunday afternoon's televised Premiership showdown from McDiarmid Park.

St Johnstone vs Hibernian | Sunday 23rd August 2020, 16:30 | Sky Sports

Thursday evening’s defeat against Aberdeen was a hard one to take for St Johnstone, with a late deflected winner for the Dons. If truth be told, neither team deserved to win a game that was low on quality and poor fare for the watching TV viewers. It was a missed opportunity for the Perth men, as Aberdeen were playing the match with none of their four first-pick strikers.

New Saints boss Callum Davidson still seems to be searching for the right formula, especially in attack. Young striker Callum Hendry is bound to come good at some point but has yet to score so far this season.

Hibernian last time out had to settle for a share of the spoils in a 0-0 draw at Easter Road against a more dogged Motherwell. ‘Well arguably shaded the encounter, and managed to shackle the main goal threats for the Hibees – Christian Doidge and Kevin Nisbet. The only real good chance they had, Martin Boyle hit his effort straight at Trevor Carson, when he should've scored.

Hibs generally have a good recent record when visiting the Fair City; five games unbeaten in the league at McDiarmid Park(W2-D3-L0), their last defeat here in March 2014. The 4-1 win for Hibs in November last season, was the first time Doidge really let loose, scoring a hat-trick.

Going into this Jack Ross's side sit joint top with 10 points from a possible 12. The Perth team meanhwhile have bagged four points from their four matches. It's hard to argue with the bookmakers odds for this, as Hibs look to carry more of a goal threat than the home side.

Hibs will be looking to make it three wins out of three away in this Sunday tea-time clash. Indeed, it's hard to envisage Nisbet, Doidge, Martin Boyle and co drawing a blank for the second match in a row – against a Saints side without a clean sheet so far this season.