Hibernian Preview
The league leaders host Hibernian today at St.Mirren Park as they seek to extend their unbeaten start to the season.
Gaffer Danny Lennon is boosted by the return of captain Jim Goodwin, but will be missing Thomas Reilly after he suffered an ankle injury in last weekends win at Dens Park.
Lewis Guy serves the last game of his suspension and keeper Grant Adam had his worst injury fears confirmed during the week meaning he will be missing until the turn of the year.
Lennon is sure to stick to the back four which took a clean sheet last weekend in the City of Discovery but messrs Van Zanten, McGregor, Mair and Carey will know that further improvement is required in concentration levels here with Leigh Griffiths a constant threat whilst the visitors will also have veteran Finnish striker Shefki Kuqi in their squad and he will most likely make his debut from the bench at some point this afternoon.
Goodwin will almost certainly come in for the unlucky Jon Robertson today, meaning a midfield quartet of the Captain, Kenny McLean, Paul McGowan and Dougie Imrie with the dynamic duo of Sam Parkin and Steven Thompson up front.
Gaffer Danny Lennon is boosted by the return of captain Jim Goodwin, but will be missing Thomas Reilly after he suffered an ankle injury in last weekends win at Dens Park.
Lewis Guy serves the last game of his suspension and keeper Grant Adam had his worst injury fears confirmed during the week meaning he will be missing until the turn of the year.
Lennon is sure to stick to the back four which took a clean sheet last weekend in the City of Discovery but messrs Van Zanten, McGregor, Mair and Carey will know that further improvement is required in concentration levels here with Leigh Griffiths a constant threat whilst the visitors will also have veteran Finnish striker Shefki Kuqi in their squad and he will most likely make his debut from the bench at some point this afternoon.
Goodwin will almost certainly come in for the unlucky Jon Robertson today, meaning a midfield quartet of the Captain, Kenny McLean, Paul McGowan and Dougie Imrie with the dynamic duo of Sam Parkin and Steven Thompson up front.
Parkin has already established himself as a firm favourite with the fans and already looks like being a very shrewd investment by Lennon. His excellent workrate coupled with his cool and composed finish at Dens last week have blown away pre-season concerns about the big striker and indeed his partnership with the Thommohawk last weekend looked very promising.
If Saints are to harbour realistic ambitions of a top six finish this season then it's games like this that we must be looking to win. Hibs certainly showed signs of improvement last weekend but they are undoubtedly a pretty poor side in comparison to Hibernian sides in years gone by.
Look out for Irishman Gary Deegan in the visitors midfield today, the number 7 fairly put himself about last weekend on his Easter Road derby and my betting is that he and Jim Goodwin will have a few clashes today !
So another intruiging battle ahead, get down there and roar on the buddies !
Divs Prediction
I hate being confident before a game, but last week I stuck my neck on the block with a 3-1 win prediction which was borne out by the two goal win at Dens, and this week I also remain confident that we will be too hot for Hibs to handle. I'm going for a thrilling 3-2 win for Saints today !
Pre-Match Press Conference with Danny Lennon & Jim Goodwin