Match preview: Airdrieonians host leaders St. Johnstone at Excelsior Stadium
Airdrieonians welcome table-topping St. Johnstone to the Excelsior Stadium on 13/02/2026 in a clash that feels, on paper, like a test of fire for the hosts. The home side sit 8th with 23 points from 24 matches, struggling for goals at home (just seven scored) and leaking 17 at Excelsior. Their recent cup exit to St. Mirren after extra time underlined a squad that can fight but often lacks the cutting edge to turn tight contests into consistent league points.
St. Johnstone arrive in confident mood, perched at the summit of the Championship with 46 points from 23 games. Their numbers tell a story of control — 45 goals scored overall, a stingy 20 conceded, and an impressive 11 clean sheets. Recent league form includes a comeback draw against Partick Thistle where J. McPake earned the plaudits, and a string of wins that have kept them clear at the top. The numbers also show a huge gulf in shot volume: St. Johnstone average nearly double the shots per game of Airdrieonians, a sign they will likely dominate territory and chances.
What to expect: patterns, previous meeting and game models
The head-to-head earlier in the season finished 3-0 to St. Johnstone, a result that reinforces the favorites’ psychological edge. Airdrieonians have shown resilience — recent results include penalty wins and an away victory at Dunfermline — but against a side that converts chances and keeps the ball in dangerous areas, they will be pushed to limit vulnerabilities at the back.
Goal markets are interesting: St. Johnstone’s fixtures lean toward higher-scoring outcomes (over 2.5 in over 60% of their games), while Airdrieonians’ home matches trend lower. Both teams have produced both-teams-to-score outcomes around the 50% mark, suggesting that while St. Johnstone will create the better chances, blanks aren’t impossible if the visitors control possession and protect leads.
From an in-play perspective, expect St. Johnstone to press early, force openings from set-pieces and corners (their corners average dwarfs Airdrieonians’), and look to close the game out with disciplined defending and counter control. Airdrieonians will hope for set-piece moments and quick transitions to unsettle the visitors and capitalize on any lapses.
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Betting suggestion For a single-line pick based strictly on the data, the clearest value sits with the 1X2 market. St. Johnstone dominate the standings, shots and goals metrics, hold the head-to-head advantage and are priced as favorites by bookmakers (1.56, ~64.1% implied probability). Suggested bet: 1X2 — St. Johnstone to win. Play responsibly and size stakes according to your bankroll and risk plan.
