Given the way results in the Scottish Premiership went yesterday, today’s clash between St Johnstone and Hearts is a big one.
Saints are looking close to doomed, with manager Simo Valakari previously admitting relegation was a “big possibility” and results not really improving since.
The Perth side are six points adrift in bottom spot but 11th-placed Dundee lost yesterday, as did fellow bottom six sides Kilmarnock and Motherwell.
The Jambos are the side in 10th despite their huge improvement since Neil Critchley took over from Steven Naismith and a home win for Valakari’s men could take them to within four points of today’s opponents.
Hearts will be hoping to look up the way and can get closer to the top six with three points, which would have them seventh and just one point behind St Mirren.
Critchley revealed he had held chats with Elton Kabangu ahead of this one after a series of missed chances in the defeat to Rangers and also delivered injury updates on five players.
The teams are now in for the McDiarmid Park clash.
Confirmed St Johnstone vs Hearts team news
St Johnstone starting XI: Fisher, Mikulic, Balodis, Svedberg, Carey, Wright, Sidibeh, Sprangler, Douglas, Curtis, Watt
Subs: Sinclair, Mitchell, Holt, Clark, Steven, Duke-McKenna, Smith, McPake, Kirk
Hearts starting XI: Gordon, Forrester, Steinwender, McCart, Penrice, Baningime, Grant, Spittal, Shankland, Wilson, Kabangu
Subs: Clark, Nieuwenhof. Forrest, Milne, Neilson, Kartum, Musa, Vargas, Taylor