SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 4 hrs 30 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
HL
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 30
Mar 3, 2021 at 6pm UK
New Douglas Park
SJ

Hamilton
1 - 1
St Johnstone

Callachan (36')
Anderson (69'), Callachan (90+1')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Melamed (87')
McCart (69'), Wotherspoon (75'), Craig (76')

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

:Headline: Preview: Hamilton Academical vs. St Johnstone - prediction, team news, lineups: ID:437386: from db_amp
Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Scottish Premiership clash between Hamilton Academical and St Johnstone, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Hamilton Academical host St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday evening, hoping to secure only their third league win on home soil this campaign and move out of the relegation zone.

Meanwhile, spirits are high for the visitors, who claimed their second major piece of silverware last weekend as they beat Livingston in the Scottish League Cup final.


Match preview

Hamilton head into Wednesday's match having had a 12-day break since losing 2-0 away at Hibernian, a result which ended their run of three league games without defeat.

Manager Brian Rice bemoaned Jamie Hamilton's 11th-minute dismissal which he felt was a "massive turning point" in the game. The 18-year-old defender was shown a straight red card by referee Craig Napier for a challenge on Martin Boyle, a decision which has since been rescinded by the Scottish FA.

After Ross County's surprise win against Celtic, the Accies are now at the foot of the table, two points behind the Staggies, although Rice's men do have up to two games in hand on the six teams above them.

Hamilton's home form in the top flight has been a concern all season, as they have won just two of their 14 matches played at the Fountain of Youth Stadium, the fewest home victories of any side in the Scottish Premiership.

Since winning back-to-back league games against St Johnstone between February and May in 2019, the Accies have failed to win their last four in the league against the Saints.

With their next three games after Wednesday's clash against teams currently in the top six, securing three points against the Saints would provide a massive boost to Rice's side and would push them out of the relegation zone, up to 10th in the table.

St Johnstone lifted the Scottish League Cup for the first time in their history after Shaun Rooney's first-half header proved enough to secure a 1-0 victory against Livingston at Hampden Park on Sunday.

Head coach Callum Davidson, who was the assistant to Tommy Wright when the Perth outfit won the 2014 Scottish Cup, was emotional after the full-time whistle and expressed his delight for what was a "surreal" and "special moment" for both himself and the club.

The Saints held on to beat the Lions for the second time this month and became the first club other than Celtic to win a major trophy in Scotland since Hibernian's Scottish Cup final triumph in 2016.

St Johnstone now turn their attention back to the Scottish Premiership and head to Hamilton having won five of their last seven visits to South Lanarkshire, including a 5-3 victory in October earlier this season.

The Saints have also won three of their last four away matches in the top flight, beating Kilmarnock, Livingston and Motherwell, scoring eight goals in the process.

Claiming their eighth league win of the campaign on Wednesday night would move St Johnstone up to seventh in the league, 11 points clear of the bottom two and three points behind St Mirren in sixth.

Hamilton Academical Scottish Premiership form: LLDWDL

St Johnstone Scottish Premiership form: DWLWLW
St Johnstone form (all competitions): WLWLWW


Team News

Hamilton are still without midfielders David Templeton (groin) and Lewis Smith (hamstring), who are both suffering with injuries.

Defender Jamie Hamilton will be available to play on Wednesday after his red card against Hibernian was overturned by the Scottish FA.

Striker Marios Ogkmpoe is a major doubt after limping off at Easter Road with a hamstring injury. His potential absence could see David Moyo start in his place alongside Bruce Anderson.

For St Johnstone, midfielder Murray Davidson remains doubtful after missing the last four matches with a calf problem.

Craig Bryson and Guy Melamed are two midfielders that could come into the starting lineup, replacing Liam Craig and Craig Conway.

Hamilton Academical possible starting lineup:
Fulton; Hamilton, Odoffin, Easton; Hodson, S. Martin, Trafford, McMann; Callachan; Anderson, Moyo

St Johnstone possible starting lineup:
Clark; Kerr, Gordon, McCart; Rooney, McCann, Bryson, Booth; Melamed; Wotherspoon; Kane


We say: Hamilton Academical 1-2 St Johnstone

Hamilton's need for three points is arguably greater than that of the visitors, with Rice's men hoping to take advantage of their games in hand and move out of the danger zone.

However, St Johnstone, who have lost just two of their last 12 matches in all competitions, are playing with plenty of confidence and have the quality to replicate October's victory at the Fountain of Youth Stadium.

The Saints may be drained from Sunday's impressive Scottish League Cup triumph, but should have enough to seal a narrow win against the Accies on Wednesday.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data




amp_article__437386 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2021-03-01 22:00:19:
html db last update - 2021-03-11 10:57:09 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Read more!
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1FalkirkFalkirk30246075195678
2Hamilton AcademicalHamilton30187563234061
3Alloa AthleticAlloa30145114948147
4Montrose30137105145646
5Cove Rangers30127114646043
6Kelty Hearts3097143953-1434
7Stirling AlbionStirling3097143246-1434
8Queen of the SouthQotS3096153948-933
9Annan AthleticAnnan3079144357-1430
10Edinburgh CityEdinburgh3025233385-525
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .