Scottish Premiership Opener: Hibernian Host St Mirren Eyeing Strong Start
The 2025-26 Scottish Premiership season is set to kick off, with Hibernian hosting St Mirren at Easter Road Stadium. This fixture is crucial for both teams' start to the new campaign, as Hibernian look to build on last season's strong performance, while St Mirren aim to secure points on the road.
Match Background & Qualification Scenarios
This fixture marks an early clash in the new Scottish Premiership season, with both Hibernian and St Mirren eager to start their campaigns positively. The Scottish Premiership comprises 12 teams, with a split format in the latter stages of the season. In the recently concluded 2024-25 season, Hibernian had a strong showing, finishing third in the league table, indicating their ambition to solidify a top position this season. [28] Meanwhile, St Mirren finished sixth and secured qualification for the UEFA Conference League, showcasing their progress. [31] Therefore, this match is not just about league points but also about building momentum and confidence early in the new season. Historically, in 66 direct encounters, Hibernian have won 31 times, St Mirren 16 times, with 19 draws. [27]
Recent Form
As this is an early match in the 2025-26 season, detailed recent form over the last five official matches for the current campaign is not available. However, we can look at their overall performance from the 2024-25 season. Hibernian concluded the season strongly, securing a third-place finish in the Scottish Premiership, demonstrating consistent competitive form and European qualification aspirations. [28] St Mirren ended the previous season in sixth place, successfully earning a spot in European competition. [31] Both teams are entering the new season with positive momentum from their recent achievements, setting the stage for a competitive encounter.
Key Players & Injury News
For Hibernian, forward Martin Boyle was the team's top scorer in the 2024-25 season, making his goal-scoring ability crucial. [28, 34] Fellow forward Kieron Bowie and midfielder Jamie McGrath are also vital contributors in attack. [36] St Mirren's key players include Toyosi Olusanya, who was their top scorer in the 2024-25 season, [31] and midfielder Killian Phillips, who was named Player of the Year and made his loan move permanent for the 2025-26 season, providing strong midfield presence. [17] As the match date is in the future, there is no current significant injury news for either team.