St Mirren v Hibs preview: Scottish Premiership team news, referee, starting XI, how to watch, match odds

Hibs have won both matches against the Buddies so far this season, winning 3-0 at the SMiSA Stadium in September before a 1-0 victory at Easter Road in December. Kevin Nisbet scored in both those games but after yesterday’s “will he, won’t he” transfer tug-of-war with Birmingham City, he may continue on the bench after being an unused sub in the 2-0 win against Dundee United, with Christian Doidge spear-heading a three-man attack with wide men Jamie Murphy and Martin Boyle on either side of him.

Having Nisbet on the bench does give Hibs options in attack after Jamie Gullan joined Raith Rovers on loan late last night.

St Mirren have won their last two matches, scoring seven goals and conceding just two, and have lost just four home games this term.

With Aberdeen and Livingston facing off tonight after their goalless draw at the weekend, Hibs could move into third if the Dons fail to beat the West Lothian outfit.

Team news: Jack Ross has virtually a full team to choose from but Joe Newell will miss the game. The midfielder returned to training but suffered a reaction on Friday night, ruling him out of the Dundee United clash and the trip to Paisley.

Kyle Magennis could play a bigger part in this match having come on as a sub and started the move that led to HIbs’ second goal at Tannadice. The former St Mirren captain looks to have overcome his niggly injury problems and will be pushing for a starting berth sooner or later.

Ross could well stick to the same line-up more or less that started against Dundee United, having held onto his big guns.

Possible line-up (3-4-3): Marciano; P McGinn, McGregor, Hanlon; Cadden, Irvine, Magennis, Doig; Boyle, Doidge, Murphy. Subs from: Macey, Gray, Stevenson, Porteous, S McGinn, Gogic, Hallberg, Wright, Allan, Nisbet, Bradley.

Match details: Tuesday February 2; kick-off 6.00pm, SMiSA Stadium, Paisley

How to watch: The hosts are offering a pay-per-view option on their in-house TV channel – details here.

Key stat: Hibs have lost just three times at St Mirren in the last ten years and there hasn’t been a goalless draw between the two teams since November 2013. Kevin Nisbet, Joe Newell, and Martin Boyle were on target in the last encounter for the Hibees in Paisley, as the Easter Road side saw off a St Mirren team that lost three goalies to coronavirus self-isolation with Hearts ‘keeper Bobby Zlamal drafted in on an emergency loan for Jim Goodwin’s side.

Referee: Alan Muir takes charge of this encounter, backed up by Andrew McWilliam and Gordon Crawford, with Greg Aitken named fourth official.

The 45-year-old whistler oversaw Hibs’ 3-1 win against Brora Rangers in the Betfred Cup group stages and was the man in the middle for St Mirren’s 2-0 defeat by Rangers at Ibrox on December 30.

He has reffed 30 matches involving Hibs with the Easter Road side winning 14, drawing ten, and losing six. In those 30 games he has booked 50, sent off one, and awarded five spot-kicks.

Match odds: St Mirren 21/10 Draw 12/5 Hibs 13/10 (odds supplied by McBookie).

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