Since returning to the top tier as Scottish Championship champions in 2020-21, Hearts have had three successful seasons in the Scottish Premiership.Click here for a data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines, and other details for this match. Previews by email. Click here to receive Sports Mole’s daily email with previews and predictions for all major games!

Since earning promotion back into the top division as champions of the Scottish Championship in 2020-21, Hearts have enjoyed three brilliant campaigns in the Scottish Premiership.

Having finished third in 2021-22, fourth in 2022-23, and third once more in 2023-24, Hearts would have been hoping to replicate that success with another impressive season in 2024-25.

However, after eight league games the Jam Tarts sit at the foot of the table with just two points, from two draws and six losses, marking an extremely disappointing opening to the campaign.

Steven Naismith was dismissed after their 2-1 defeat to St Mirren in September, which marked their eighth consecutive loss, leaving Liam Fox to step in as interim manager for the subsequent matches.

Fox led the side to a 1-1 draw in his opening match against Ross County before recording the first win of the campaign against Dinamo Minsk in the Conference League, but Hearts fell to defeat once again to Aberdeen in their last outing.

Neil Critchley has since been appointed as the new permanent manager, and the former Blackpool boss will be looking to kick off his tenure with a first league victory of the campaign against St Mirren.

The visitors will undoubtedly be the favourites heading into Saturday’s encounter owing to Hearts’ poor start, but St Mirren have endured problems of their own in recent weeks.

After starting the term unbeaten in their first four outings across all competitions, St Mirren experienced a downturn as they went on a run of four consecutive losses in the following games.

Steve Robinson, who has been at the helm since February 2022, will be eager for his team to get back to winning ways against Hearts on Saturday, especially given his side have already demonstrated their superiority with a 2-1 victory in September.

Team weNews

Jorge Grant will miss this match after being sent off against Aberdeen for accumulating yellow cards. Calem Nieuwenhof and Gerald Taylor will also be missing due to injury, while Daniel Oyegoke and Stephen Kingsley are doubtful after being injured the last time out. In other news, the starting lineup may vary slightly because this is Critchley’s first match as manager. The visitors will be missing Alex Iacovitti (tendon injury) and Conor McMenamin (knee injury), though the latter is likely to return later this month.

Scott Tanser could return to the starting lineup after serving his suspension in the previous game against Dundee United after receiving a red card against Motherwell. Hearts’ likely starting lineup: Gordon; Forrester, Kent, Rowles, Penrice; Vargas, Spittal,, Baningime Dhanda, Shankland. St Mirren’s potential starting lineup: Balcombe; Fraser, Gogic, Taylor; Bwomono, Phillips, Boyd-Munce, O’Hara, Tanser; Olusanya, Mandron.

We predict: Hearts 1-2 St Mirren. While we expect

an improved performance from Hearts in their first game under Critchley, the visitors have had a far stronger start to the season, and we predict they will win this one. Click here for a data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines, and other details for this match.

Read more on sportupdates.co.uk