‘It could become an uncomfortable evening’: Journalists' predictions for St Mirren v Hearts

Anthony Brown: So rare have away Hearts victories become, I find it hard to envisage the visitors coming off the pitch celebrating this evening. The Tynecastle side were unfortunate not to win in Paisley earlier in the season but that was at a time when they weren’t quite in the grip of a relegation dogfight. St Mirren are used to the demands and pressures of such survival missions; Hearts are not. If the hosts get in front, it could become an uncomfortable evening for Daniel Stendel’s confidence-shorn side. Prediction: St Mirren 2 Hearts 0

Patrick McPartlin: St Mirren came through 120 minutes plus penalties on Tuesday night as they papped Motherwell out of the Scottish Cup which will have had either a positive effect on the Buddies or left them emotionally and mentally knackered, even three evenings later. On top of that, Hearts boss Daniel Stendel believes the atmosphere at Tynecastle and Riccarton is too positive, while he has also claimed no more than 5,000 fans would turn up in Germany to watch a team performing as Hearts are. There's also the chance that Liam Boyce and Toby Sibbick will miss the trip to Paisley. None of this appears to bode well for the Jambos, while there's also the fact that Jim Goodwin's side have lost just four home games this season - to Celtic, Hibs, Rangers and er, Motherwell. Scottish football is a strange beast and quite often teams win when the odds look stacked against them, but St Mirren have lost just once at home since December 5... Unless the midweek cup win has taken its toll, I'm not sure there's much between the two sides. Prediction: Draw

Neil McGlade: It really has come down to a toss of a coin when trying to predict the outcome of matches involving Hearts just now. I tipped the Jambos to get a result against Hamilton last week and, although they managed to battle back to earn a point, it's a game they would have lost had Hamilton - and they should have - kept 11 men on the park. The trip to St Mirren again falls into that must win category or, as I prefer, must not lose. It's been said time again that Stendel has enough quality at his disposal that can propel the Gorgie outfit away from the drop zone. However, there is very little improvement, if any, since he took over at the helm. Had St Mirren not been taken to extra-time in their cup win over Motherwell earlier this week then I would have plucked for Saints. Prediction: Draw.

Joel Sked: Saturday was the day the ball dropped. After weeks of expecting Hearts to beat teams around them in the league, first it was Ross County, then St Johnstone, Kilmarnock and Hamilton, there can no longer be that expectation. Three points from those 12 games is a less than ideal return. In fact it has been a disastrous return. Daniel Stendel recognised that in his press conference ahead of the trip to Paisley. It is hard to see the way the defence have been performing keeping a player like Jonathan Obika quiet. The big striker netted twice during the week as St Mirren progressed to the quarter final of the Scottish Cup. With Liam Boyce and Tony Sibbick both doubtful, Stendel is missing key players who could have a big impact. Prediction: Draw