Heart of Midlothian could go into third place on their own when they face St Mirren at Tynecastle Park on Saturday afternoon.

The teams go into the Premiership encounter level on 26 points with Hearts enjoying a better goal difference. Steven Naismith's men will be looking to build on the long-awaited win at Celtic Park last weekend ahead of the Edinburgh derby on the 27th.

Naismith will be without Jorge Grant who has joined Liam Boyce and Cammy Devlin on the injury list but are set to welcome back Alex Lowry who missed the win over Celtic.

Our writers Joel Sked and James Cairney take their turn predicting what the starting XI will be to take on the Buddies.

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Joel Sked

A team that beats Celtic and does so in a comfortable manner would tend to start the next match, unchanged. However, that isn't quite the case. Firstly, injuries. Jorge Grant will miss the next two matches. Secondly, facing St Mirren at home is completely different to taking on the Scottish champions at Celtic Park.

Fans have become accustomed to changes being made on a game-to-game basis. Naismith has spoken openly about his preference for doing so. Still, a spine will remain. Zander Clark between the sticks - he is not going to be dropped after a clean sheet at Celtic - the usual back three, Beni Baningime and Lawrence Shankland.

Grant, after an impressive performance, will come out which means there is a requirement for a forward-thinking midfielder who is capable of unlocking the St Mirren defence. Essentially, it comes down to either Alex Lowry or Barrie McKay. The former has played that role a few times. However, McKay came off the bench against Celtic in the position and with Naismith stating St Mirren's press is one of the best in the league, he may opt for more experience in that position.

In attack, Alan Forrest did well up top with Shankland against Celtic. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him start there again. However, you wonder if Naismith may keep him in reserve to bring off the bench if Nathaniel Atkinson is needing to be replaced, whether it is for a more forward-thinking option or to give the Aussie rest ahead of the Edinburgh derby. Kyosuke Tagawa has not quite got used to the robust nature of Scottish football and there are few more robust defences than St Mirren. Kenneth Vargas would be a more dangerous option.

Predicted line-up: Clark; Kingsley, Kent, Rowles; Baningime; Atkinson, Denholm, McKay, Cochrane; Shankland, Vargas.

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James Cairney

The comprehensive nature of Hearts’ 2-0 win at Celtic Park last weekend means that any player who loses their spot in the starting line-up will understandably feel aggrieved, but I think we could see a couple of changes against St Mirren nonetheless.

I don’t expect much chopping and changing at the back, though. Following on from an excellent defensive display at Parkhead – arguably the best of Naismith’s reign thus far – I can’t see the Hearts head coach deviating from the back three of Kye Rowles, Frankie Kent and Stephen Kingsley, who is expected to start after picking up a niggle against Celtic. And after their superb displays against Celtic, I can’t see Alex Cochrane or Nathaniel Atkinson dropping down the pecking order.

I would expect Beni Baningime to get the nod at the base of midfield in the No.6 position, but we know there will be at least one enforced change in the middle with Jorge Grant ruled out. Alex Lowry is the most obvious like-for-like replacement and I think we will see the on-loan Rangers playmaker restored to the starting XI, and I also think Aidan Denholm will hold onto his place. The youngster’s professional performance against Celtic displayed a maturity beyond his years – although it remains to be seen how he would handle himself against St Mirren’s physicality in midfield. Naismith may be tempted to play Calem Nieuwenhof instead, but it is unclear if the Australian central midfielder will be fit in time for this one.

Alan Forrest supported Lawrence Shankland up top against Celtic but I’d expect to see the versatile midfielder drop to the bench. He was able to provide pace in behind against the champions, but Saturday’s contest at Tynecastle Park will be a very different game. Retaining possession and finding a way through the Buddies’ low block will be crucial, and so I think that we could see Kenneth Vargas given the nod. Liam Boyce would be an excellent option for this match, but the Northern Irishman won’t be involved as he recovers from an injury sustained away to Kilmarnock earlier this month.

Predicted line-up: Clark; Kingsley, Kent, Rowles; Baningime; Atkinson, Denholm, Lowry, Cochrane; Shankland, Vargas.