MATCH PREVIEW: HAMILTON ACCIES VERSUS SAINTS

MATCH PREVIEW: HAMILTON ACCIES VERSUS SAINTS

26th July 2016

Tomorrow afternoon, St. Johnstone will be aiming to complete a fantastic week by earning their third consecutive victory in seven days.

Only seven weeks have passed since Saints' impressive 4-1 win against Hamilton Academical at McDiarmid Park. After a Liam Craig opener, Steven MacLean scored a hat-trick to put the result beyond any doubt. A significantly tougher test is expected at New Douglas Park on Saturday (3pm kick-off). Since that demoralising result, Hamilton have picked themselves up and continued the decent run of form which Saints had momentarily stalled. They currently sit in 5th place, just one point above St. Johnstone. An away win could lift Saints as high as 4th place (depending on the outcome of Ross County's away clash against Dundee United).

Steven MacLean is unlikely to be risked on Hamilton's artificial pitch. In his absence, one of Saints' other strikers may be given the opportunity to partner Graham Cummins up front. Chris Kane has certainly staked his claim for a starting place after a goal-scoring substitute appearance against Morton in the League Cup. Tommy Wright is also able to call upon the services of proven striker John Sutton, indicating the impressive quality and strength-in-depth of this current St. Johnstone squad. Hamilton's defensive options are limited. Lucas Tagliapietra is suspended and Michael Devlin is out of action with an ankle injury. Hamilton player-manager Martin Canning has suggested that he may start tomorrow for the first time in six months.

St. Johnstone have a reasonable but somewhat unremarkable head-to-head record against Hamilton. In their last ten league encounters against the Lanarkshire side, Saints have avoided defeat on six occasions (4 wins, 2 draws and 4 defeats). However, they have struggled more when playing away from home. Saints have found it particularly difficult at New Douglas Park, winning only three of their last ten away matches there.

The previous meeting between Hamilton Academical and St. Johnstone at New Douglas Park ended in a 1-1 draw. Ali Crawford gave the home side an early lead before Martin Canning was red-carded in the second-half. Saints soon took advantage of their one-man advantage and found an equaliser courtesy of Brian Graham.

Get along to New Douglas Park tomorrow as Saints aim to achieve their third win in a row!

Admission to the match is:

Adult (18-65) - £22.00 Concession over 65, under 18 - £12.00 Disabled Supporters - £10.00 (Carer free)

match preview by Ollie Wale

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