St Mirren v Hibernian Free Bets, Best Odds & Preview

St Mirren v Hibernian Free Bets, Best Odds & Preview

Crunch Time in Paisley: European Hopes Hinge on St Mirren vs. Hibernian Showdown
Scottish Premiership – Gameweek 37 | The SMiSA Stadium | Wednesday 14 May 2025 | Kick-off: 7:45pm (UK time)

Saints and Hibees Square Off in Continental Chase

With just two games remaining in the Scottish Premiership campaign, the stakes are high and the tension even higher as St Mirren welcome Hibernian to The SMiSA Stadium on Wednesday evening. Both clubs are within touching distance of European football, but while Hibs are inching ever closer to securing a Europa League spot, the hosts know only a win will realistically keep their continental ambitions alive.

It’s a classic case of one side chasing the dream while the other looks to cling onto it. With a trip to Celtic Park looming on the final day for the Buddies, this home clash with Hibs is absolutely critical.

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St Mirren’s Late Surge Sparks European Hope

Stephen Robinson’s men might have left it late, but what a final push they’ve made. After narrowly sneaking into the top six at the split, few fancied St Mirren to do much beyond making up the numbers. Yet here they are, still in the conversation for a European spot with just two games to play.

Their run since the split has been impressive to say the least. A well-earned draw against Rangers was sandwiched between wins over Aberdeen and Dundee United – two sides also in the mix for European places. Those results have propelled the Buddies to within two points of fifth, a remarkable turnaround considering they were a daunting nine points adrift just three games ago.

Last season’s fifth-place finish was enough to secure a place in the Europa Conference League qualifiers, and despite already surpassing last season’s points total (they sit on 48 with two matches to go), the increased competitiveness this year means they’re currently languishing in sixth.

It’s worth noting that St Mirren may also need a favour from Celtic in the Scottish Cup final, as a Hoops victory would open the door for fifth place to qualify for Europe once again. One imagines Robinson will be hoping the champions aren’t too focused on celebrations when his side visit Parkhead at the weekend.

Hibs Eye Top-Tier Return to Europe

Hibernian, meanwhile, find themselves in a far more comfortable position. After a strong second half of the season, David Gray’s side are in third – and looking increasingly like the best of the rest behind Celtic and Rangers. A spot in the Europa League qualifiers is very much within reach.

Despite successive away defeats since the split – a sobering loss at Aberdeen followed by a spirited but unsuccessful trip to Celtic Park – Hibs remain in the driving seat. Their display against the champions last weekend, which saw them lead for much of the first half before eventually losing 3-1, will give them plenty of encouragement heading into this midweek encounter.

And while nothing is ever guaranteed in football, a healthy goal difference and the fact that fourth place could also carry a safety net into Europe means Hibs are, barring a complete collapse, set for continental football. One more point could be enough to ensure Europa League qualification – with the fallback option of dropping into the Conference League should they fall short in qualifiers.

That said, with Rangers waiting in the wings for their final game of the season, Hibs will want to wrap things up now, rather than rely on results elsewhere. A win in Paisley would do just that.

Team News – Saints at Full Strength as Hibs Nurse Injuries

St Mirren will be buoyed by the return of promising 17-year-old Evan Mooney, who was back on the bench last weekend after an injury absence. He may feature in the latter stages of this one, especially if Robinson is chasing a result.

While the departure of top scorer Toyosi Olusanya to MLS side Houston Dynamo last month appeared a major blow, Mikael Mandron has admirably stepped up. The striker has netted in back-to-back games and now sits just one behind Olusanya in the scoring charts – a timely reminder that this Saints side still carries a serious goal threat.

The likely St Mirren lineup should see Zach Hemming retain his place between the sticks, protected by a three-man defensive unit of Marcus Fraser, Richard Taylor and Alex Gogic. On the flanks, Thierry Small may be given a rest, allowing Haji Mnoga or Jaden Idowu to slot in. In midfield, the busy quartet of Caolan Boyd-Munce, Keanu Baccus, Ryan Strain and Lewis Jamieson should provide energy and steel. Up front, Mandron will be joined by Jonah Ayunga, offering physical presence and pressing power.

Hibernian are not quite so fortunate when it comes to fitness. Joe Newell and Kwon Hyeok-kyu are both ruled out, leaving a bit of a gap in midfield that David Gray must patch up with less experienced options.

Goalkeeper David Marshall is likely to start behind a back three of Warren O’Hora, Rocky Bushiri and Jack Iredale. On the flanks, Chris Cadden and Marvin Obita are expected to provide width and support, while Nathaniel Atkinson could be pushed into a central midfield role alongside Jake Doyle-Hayes. Further forward, Junior Hoilett will link play between the lines, supporting the in-form Martin Boyle – who’s now reached 13 league goals for the season – and striker Mykola Kukharevych.

Form and Forecast – Deadlock Likely?

St Mirren have had the better of Hibernian in their head-to-head encounters this season, collecting seven points from a possible nine across three meetings. With home advantage and the crowd behind them, they’ll be confident of continuing that record.

However, Hibs have shown their class in the second half of the campaign, and despite some wobbles on the road, their quality in the final third – especially with Boyle firing – gives them a clear edge.

Prediction: St Mirren 1-1 Hibernian

A draw wouldn’t be the worst result for Hibs and may just be enough to nudge them over the European qualification line. For St Mirren, it would be a setback – though not the final nail in their European hopes, provided results elsewhere fall kindly. Either way, expect a tightly-contested battle with no shortage of edge.

Fancy a Flutter? Ladbrokes Has You Covered

If you’re thinking of backing your side – or just having a bit of fun midweek – Ladbrokes’ Bet £5 Get £20 in free bets offer is a tidy little bonus that can add some extra excitement to proceedings. Whether it’s Boyle to score, Mandron to bag another, or a 1-1 correct scoreline, a free bet can make even the tensest contest a bit more enjoyable (and perhaps profitable, if luck is on your side).

In a game where both teams have everything to play for, and very little margin for error, one thing’s for sure – drama is guaranteed at The SMiSA Stadium.

From a Betting Perspective

With European aspirations still flickering for both clubs, Wednesday night’s clash between St Mirren and Hibernian promises to be a tightly-contested encounter – and the bookmakers reflect just that, with very little to separate the two sides in the outright market.

St Mirren have been priced as slight favourites at 13/8, no doubt buoyed by their strong recent form and home advantage in Paisley. Hibernian, however, aren’t far behind at 9/5, and with a top-three finish within reach, they’ll arrive determined to leave with something. If you think neither side will land a decisive blow, the draw is available at 12/5 – not a bad shout given the evenly-matched nature of the contest and their previous meetings this season.

First Goalscorer Market – Strikers in the Spotlight

Looking to open the scoring under the lights? Dwight Gayle leads the pack in the first goalscorer stakes at 6/1. The veteran frontman is known for sniffing out chances, and if he gets the nod to start, he could well be the one to break the deadlock.

Just behind him, Martin Boyle – who has been in sparkling form this season – is priced at 13/2, while Mykola Kukharevych follows closely at 7/1, offering value for those fancying a more physical presence to strike first. There’s then a trio of attackers all hovering at 8/1, including Kieron Bowie, Jonah Ayunga, and Mikael Mandron – any of whom could easily pop up with the opener in what’s expected to be a tight affair.

Anytime Goalscorer – Boyle and Gayle Among the Favourites

If predicting the first goal feels a bit too much like crystal ball territory, the anytime goalscorer market offers a broader spread – and more room for optimism.

Dwight Gayle once again leads the way at 9/4, while Martin Boyle isn’t far off at 49/20, a tempting price for a man in goal-scoring form. Jonah Ayunga, whose physicality often unsettles backlines, is available at 11/4, and Kukharevych – always a threat in the air – comes in at 3/1.

Those looking for a longer shot could consider Kieron Bowie at 33/10, or even Owen Oseni, who might be given minutes off the bench, priced up at 10/3 to find the net at any stage of the match.

Correct Score – Caginess or Chaos?

With both teams under pressure to deliver, the correct score market throws up several intriguing possibilities. The most popular selection is the 1-1 draw at 6/1, which would mirror the tense, evenly-matched tone many expect.

If you’re backing a narrow home win, St Mirren to win 1-0 comes in at 17/2, while a 2-1 win for the Saints is priced at 9/1. For those leaning towards the visitors, Hibernian to win 1-0 is available at 9/1, and a 2-1 Hibs victory returns 10/1.

Feeling a bit more pessimistic about entertainment levels? A 0-0 stalemate can be backed at 10/1, while anyone expecting goals galore could punt on a 2-2 thriller, also at 14/1. Slightly bolder predictions include St Mirren winning 2-0 at 12/1and Hibernian bagging a 2-0 win at 14/1 – both outcomes that would send out a statement with European places on the line.

Whether you fancy Boyle to bag again, Mandron to make it three in three, or you’re simply hedging your bets on a late flurry of goals, this one is shaping up to be an unpredictable, high-stakes showdown.

And if you’re still undecided on where to place your faith (or your fiver), one of the many bookmaker free bets on offer could be your ticket to turning a tense night of Premiership drama into something a little more rewarding – especially if you’re brave enough to back a bold scoreline or an underdog goalscorer.