All St Mirren fans know that the Scottish Premiership is well into its final stages now for the 2024/25 season. This means that the second phase of the campaign has started, and the race to finish as high up the table as possible is fierce.
After a decent season overall, the club made it into the top ‘Championship’ half of the second phase. This sees them taking on the best Scottish Premiership sides in their remaining matches and looking to potentially snatch a finishing position that delivers European football next year.
But do Stephen Robinson’s men really have a chance of clinching European qualification for next season?
European hopes still alive and kicking for St Mirren
Looking at the table as it stands, St Mirren do still have a chance of clinching European football next season. Although they might sit in sixth place currently on 45 points, Aberdeen are only on 53 points in fourth place.
With three games left to play, this means that it is possible in theory for St Mirren to pick up maximum points from their remaining three games in the second phase and finish in fourth spot. This would see them qualify for the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League.
As the latest football betting odds show though, this is not an easy task. It would see St Mirren having to win all their remaining second phase games and Aberdeen losing theirs to make it a certainty. Dundee United would need to lose games too.
Second phase form promising so far
Although it’s true to say that European football next year is a possibility still, the burning question is how likely this is.
As noted above, this rests partially on how St Mirren perform in their remaining three second phase games. But can they kick on and take the three wins that give them a fighting chance in the Scottish Premiership table? Their results in the first two second phase games give cause for optimism and are maybe signs of the club peaking at the perfect moment.
A 2-2 draw against Rangers was a solid start, but it’s the 1-0 win over Aberdeen recently that is most pleasing. As Aberdeen are the club that St Mirren need to catch to grab a European place, this was a huge result. Performances such as this show that the team can mix it with the best in Scottish football and have what it takes to get the points needed in their last few games.
Best players must be in top form
It goes without saying that St Mirren will need their best players to keep performing well to clinch fourth spot in the table this season.
Mikael Mandron is the most obvious example and key to the side being able to score the goals needed to win games. It was his strike that brought home the points against Aberdeen recently, for example, and this shows how important he is to St Mirren’s 2024/25 Euro dreams.
Jonah Ayunga is another player who coach Stephen Robinson will be hoping stays in top form. His creativity is crucial to the side and gives Mandron the chances to convert. His crosses and dazzling wing play will be needed if the club are to move up the table in their last few games.
St Mirren have been solid at the back overall this year and this is something that needs to continue to give them a chance of European football next season. Richard Taylor has been key to the side’s tight defence and will be important for shutting out other sides in the remaining second phase matches.
Away form could be crucial
With two of the remaining three second phase games being away from home, St Mirren’s ability to pick up points on the road is vital for their hopes of European football. This is something of a worry for fans, as the team’s away form in 2024/25 has been mixed overall.
Despite this, results such as the 2-0 away win at Rangers in early February and the 3-2 away victory against St Johnstone in December give cause for optimism. It shows that the team can pick up points on the road and are capable of decent performances away from the SMiSA Stadium.
Although the last away game of this campaign against Celtic is a major challenge, Robinson’s men may well have it in them to spring a shock and pick up maximum points.
European football for St Mirren next season?
With just three second phase games left, the side still have a mathematical chance of taking fourth spot and clinching European football next season. This will be no easy task though and a major achievement if Stephen Robinson’s side pull it off.