Hibernianvs.Middlesbrough

While the home side currently occupy eighth spot in the Scottish Premiership table, the visitors to Easter Road are in 14th position in the Championship.

Match preview

When Michael Carrick accepted the Middlesbrough job last month, he was aware that a four-week break from action was on the schedule, something which could have been deemed to be a positive or negative at the time.

It has turned out to be the latter with Boro collecting 10 points from a possible 15 ahead of the start of the World Cup, catapulting the club up the Championship standings.

Rather than facing a relegation battle, Boro are now four points clear of the bottom three and the same amount of points adrift of the playoffs.

Although Carrick will naturally have concerns over momentum being lost, the Englishman will also be fully focused on continuing to make up ground to the top six.

While he did not net in the dramatic 2-1 win at Norwich City last time out, Chuba Akpom has been the star man under Carrick, chipping in with a goal or assist in each of his five matches.

As far as Hibs are concerned, Lee Johnson will be delighted that there is over a month between their last and next league fixture.

The Edinburgh-based outfit have lost six of their most recent seven matches, three-game losing streaks coming either side of a 3-0 win over St Mirren.

All things considered, Johnson is arguably fortunate to still be in a job, yet Hibs still only remain five points adrift of third position in the top flight.

As it stands, this is Hibs' only keep-fit fixture ahead of their showdown with Rangers on December 15.

Hibernian form (all competitions):

Middlesbrough form (all competitions):

Team News

Hibs expected to be without Martin Boyle due to representing Australia at the World Cup, but the forward failed to make his national team squad due to injury.

With Ryan Porteous an unused substitute for Scotland against Turkey last week, the defender should start this fixture.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough will not be able to call upon Riley McGree after his selection for Australia.

Marcus Forss played 84 minutes for Finland on Sunday and is unlikely to start here, but Darragh Lenihan should feature after failing to get on the pitch while on duty with Republic of Ireland.

Hibernian possible starting lineup:

Marshall; Cadden, Porteous, Hanlon, Cabraja; Campbell, Newell, Kenneh, Stevenson; Melkersen, Kukharevych

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:

Steffen; Smith, Fry, Lenihan, Giles; Howson, Hackney; Jones, Akpom, Crooks; Muniz

We say: Hibernian 1-1 Middlesbrough

Despite their contrasting form, we anticipate a competitive fixture between these two sides where mass substitutions are also likely to take place. With that in mind, we are going to sit on the fence and predict a low-scoring draw.

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