St Johnstone's formidable challenge at Tynecastle Park is highlighted by a stark historical record against Hearts. The Perth side have lost 10 of their last 11 Scottish Premiership visits to the Edinburgh club, a run that frames their upcoming fixture.
This data, compiled from BBC Sport analysis, shows the scale of the task. St Johnstone's solitary victory in that sequence was a 1-0 win in December 2019. Since then, they have suffered six consecutive league defeats at Tynecastle. Hearts, meanwhile, are on a run of eight successive home wins in the Premiership. This current streak is their longest at Tynecastle in the top flight since a run from August to December 2005.
How poor is St Johnstone's away form?
St Johnstone's troubles extend beyond just trips to Gorgie. Their wider away record in the Premiership makes for grim reading. They have won just one of their last 14 away league games, drawing two and losing 11. This season started with a 1-0 defeat at St Mirren, extending their current run of consecutive away losses to five matches. This form is a significant factor in their current league position of 6th, with three points from two games and a goal difference of zero after scoring and conceding four goals. You can track their progress on our standings page.
What is Hearts' dominance in this fixture?
The head-to-head record between the two clubs has been overwhelmingly one-sided in recent years. Hearts have won their last 10 top-flight meetings with St Johnstone. The Perth club's last victory over the Jam Tarts in the Premiership was a 2-1 result in February 2022. This period of dominance coincides with Hearts' impressive home form, creating a formidable double hurdle for any visiting side.
Which player poses the biggest threat?
A key figure in Hearts' attack is forward Claudio Braga. Since the start of last season, Braga has recorded 20 goal involvements in the Scottish Premiership, consisting of 15 goals and 5 assists. This tally gives him the second-most goal involvements in the league over that period. Only Celtic's Benjamin Nygren, with 24, has more. Braga's consistent output is a primary reason for Hearts' potency.
What comes next for St Johnstone?
The immediate focus is on ending these negative runs at Tynecastle. Looking beyond that, St Johnstone sit three points behind leaders Celtic in the early title race. Their next fixture is a home match against Dundee United on October 17th. United are currently 11th in the table, presenting a different kind of challenge. The full schedule is available on our fixtures page. Addressing their away form is essential for St Johnstone to build on their start and climb the table. The squad will need to find answers quickly, with key performers needing to step up in difficult environments.
