Kilmarnock vs ST Johnstone Prediction

Mixed form on both sides

ST Johnstone's recent Premiership results have bounced around: a draw with Falkirk, a loss to Celtic, then a win over Hibernian. They've picked up points in four of their seven league games but have conceded ten goals in that spell.

Kilmarnock: 20 completed matches; ST Johnstone: 20 completed matches.

Kilmarnock

20 matches

Win

50% 10 / 20

Draw

25% 5 / 20

Loss

25% 5 / 20

Scored

32

Conceded

23

Difference

+9

ST Johnstone

20 matches

Win

60% 12 / 20

Draw

20% 4 / 20

Loss

20% 4 / 20

Scored

40

Conceded

17

Difference

+23

Kilmarnock's numbers are rougher. They've let in fifteen goals in seven matches, including heavy defeats to Celtic and Dundee United, plus that 4-3 loss away at ST Johnstone. Their only win came on the road at Hibernian.

Kilmarnock's defensive record stands out as the bigger concern heading into this one.

Comparative Team Statistics: Kilmarnock vs ST Johnstone

A history of tight, goal-filled meetings

The most recent meeting, back in August, finished 4-3 to ST Johnstone at home. Beyond that, these two have faced each other regularly over the years, often in close contests decided by a single goal.

That longer history goes back several seasons, though, and doesn't say much about either side as they stand right now. It's worth noting as context rather than a guide to this fixture.

Seven games in, ST Johnstone have the edge

ST Johnstone sit sixth with eight points from two wins and two draws in seven matches. Kilmarnock are down in twelfth, on five points after just a single win so far.

It's still early days, though. A table built on seven games can shift quickly, especially with a month still to go before this one kicks off.

The gap looks meaningful now, but there's time for either side's form to turn before kickoff.

Players to keep an eye on

J. Fowler has been ST Johnstone's main source of goals, with four in seven appearances and an assist on top of that. J. Gullan has chipped in with two assists of his own in five games.

Kilmarnock:

Best assist providers:

T. Lowery - 2

Penalty cards:

D. Daniels x 1 x 1

A. Tshibola x 1 x 1

T. John-Jules x 2

ST Johnstone:

Best scorers:

J. Fowler - 4

Best assist providers:

J. Gullan - 2

J. Fowler - 1

Penalty cards:

C. Diabate x 1 x 2

For Kilmarnock, T. Lowery leads the assist charts with two in seven outings. On the discipline side, both clubs have a player who's already picked up a red card this season: C. Diabate for ST Johnstone and D. Daniels for Kilmarnock.

Goals look likely at both ends

Both teams' seasons have featured goals at both ends. ST Johnstone have scored nine and conceded ten in their seven league games, while Kilmarnock have scored six and let in fifteen. Their one meeting this season produced seven goals on its own.

None of that guarantees a repeat, but it does suggest neither defence has settled into a rhythm yet.