AI Match Analysis & Predictions
St. Johnstone
Queen's Park
This Scottish Championship clash presents a classic top-versus-bottom scenario. St. Johnstone sits comfortably at the summit of the table, showcasing a formidable and undefeated record at McDiarmid Park. [22, 25] Their recent form underscores their offensive strength, having netted impressive 3-0 and 4-0 victories in late October and early November. [8] Head-to-head history is also firmly on their side, with St. Johnstone winning all three previous encounters against Queen's Park. [1, 11] Conversely, Queen's Park finds themselves in a precarious 8th position, battling to avoid the relegation play-offs. [25] Their form on the road is a significant concern, highlighted by recent heavy defeats of 5-0 and 4-1. [10] While they managed a 2-1 win in their last match, their offensive output has been minimal, with their forwards being 'starved of goals'. [2] The statistical gulf between the two teams is stark; St. Johnstone has scored 28 goals this season compared to Queen's Park's 10. [25] The betting markets reflect this disparity, with St. Johnstone priced as short as 1.23 for the win, indicating a very high probability of a home victory.
Key Betting Insights
Value Bets
- St. Johnstone -1.5 Asian Handicap: Queen's Park has suffered heavy away defeats recently, and St. Johnstone's attack is in fine form. The odds of 1.75 for a win by two or more goals offer good value.
- St. Johnstone to Win to Nil: Given Queen's Park's struggles to score, particularly on the road, and the odds favoring 'Both Teams to Score - No' (1.682), a clean sheet victory for the home side is a strong possibility.
Risky Bets
- Correct Score of 3-0: While plausible given the teams' respective form, correctly predicting the exact score is always a high-risk wager.
- Queen's Park Double Chance (2x): At odds of 3.45, this is a very risky bet. It would require a major upset against the league leaders who are unbeaten at home.
St. Johnstone comes into this match as the clear leader of the Scottish Championship, demonstrating very good form throughout the season with 9 wins from 14 matches. [25] Their home form is particularly strong, remaining undefeated at McDiarmid Park. [11, 22] Recent results include dominant victories like 3-0 against Airdrieonians and 4-0 against Greenock Morton, showcasing a potent attack. [8] They have scored a total of 28 goals in 14 league games and are positioned for promotion. [25]
Tactical Notes
St. Johnstone is expected to dominate possession and apply early pressure, leveraging their strong home record. Their attack has been firing on all cylinders, scoring 10 goals in their last six matches. [2] Defensively they are solid, especially at home. The tactical approach will likely focus on exploiting the defensive frailties of Queen's Park, who have been prone to conceding multiple goals away from home.
Key Players
Injuries
Queen's Park is struggling in the league, currently sitting in 8th position and facing a potential relegation playoff. [25] Their recent form is poor, although they secured a surprising 2-1 victory against Raith Rovers in their last outing. [2, 10] However, this was preceded by heavy away losses, including a 5-0 defeat to Partick Thistle and a 4-1 loss to Arbroath. [10] They have the second-worst defense in the league away from home and have found goals hard to come by, scoring just 3 in their last six matches while conceding 10. [2]
Tactical Notes
Queen's Park will likely adopt a defensive and counter-attacking strategy to withstand St. Johnstone's pressure. Their main challenge will be shoring up a defense that has been extremely vulnerable on the road. Their recent win may provide a morale boost, but they will need to be exceptionally organized to contain the league's top team. Key players like Josh Fowler will be crucial for any potential breakthroughs on the counter.