Preview: Hamilton Academical vs. St Mirren - prediction, team news, lineups

St Mirren make the trip to Lanarkshire this Saturday to face Hamilton Academical and could claim a top-six Scottish Premiership spot with a win.

The home side desperately need three points as they battle to stay in the top flight, as they are now just a point ahead of bottom-placed Kilmarnock.

Match preview

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Hamilton boss Brian Rice has problems, with Accies now having failed to win in 10 of their last 11 league matches.

Anchored one place off the bottom of the table, it has only been Kilmarnock's appalling form that has prevented Hamilton from propping up the rest of the Premiership.

They head into this game on the back of a 2-1 defeat away at Livingston - a result that saw the Lions claim a top-six finish.

The Accies have been hampered by the amount of money that they have been compelled to spend on COVID-19 testing this season.

Club COVID-19 officer Scott Struthers revealed this week that they have spent £225,000 on testing - more than they paid for their record signing Tomas Cerny back in 2009.

Given their league position, that diversion of financial resources might yet be a deciding factor in whether or not the club stays in the top flight.

St Mirren can claim some tangible reward for their strong season this weekend, and make certain that they will be in the top half once the league splits.

Manager Jim Goodwin has emerged as one of Scottish football's brightest managerial prospects during his time in Paisley, and it is not surprising that some reports have linked him with the now vacant post at Aberdeen.

Saints fans will hope that the Irishman is not tempted to move just yet, although if he continues to make progress then it is inevitable that he will continue to be linked with moves away from Paisley.

Last weekend, the Buddies were beaten 3-0 at Ibrox by Rangers - a result that saw the Light Blues claim the title after Celtic drew with Dundee United the day after.

That result was something of a blip, however, and the Saints are now set for their highest league finish since 1985.

A draw might be sufficient to seal a top-six finish, if St Johnstone fail to beat Ross County in Perth.

Recent results against the Accies give Goodwin's side reasons for confidence as they have not lost in their last seven matches versus the Lanarkshire side in all competitions.

Team News

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Brian Rice cannot call on winger David Templeton, who is out of action with a groin injury.

Midfielder Lewis Smith is out with a hamstring injury and is unlikely to return to action until mid-April.

There was more encouraging news this week, though, with skipper Brian Easton extending his contract at the club until the end of next season.

St Mirren striker Eamonn Brophy is out for the rest of the season with a broken foot.

It will be interesting to see if Dylan Reid retains his place in the squad after becoming the Scottish Premiership's youngest ever player when he made his debut against Rangers off the bench last weekend.

Other than Brophy, Jim Goodwin has no other injury concerns ahead of what could be an historic game for the Buddies.

Hamilton Academical possible starting lineup:
Fulton; Hamilton, A Martin, Easton; Hodson, Odoffin, Callachan, S Martin, Munro; Smith, Anderson

St Mirren possible starting lineup:
Alnwick; Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy, Tait; Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon; Connolly, McGrath, Durmus; Quaner

We say: Hamilton Academical 0-1 St Mirren

St Mirren stand on the brink of a genuinely impressive achievement for the club, and that motivation should take them to victory.

It could be close, though, especially with the Accies battling for survival, but recent history suggests the Saints will come out on top.