Preview: Hearts vs. Hibernian - prediction, team news, lineups

Both teams find themselves in the top half of the Scottish Premiership, and they have the opportunity to continue putting pressure on those above them here.

Match preview

Hearts have had a strong start to the 2023-24 SPL campaign, leaving them in fourth place heading into this weekend.

While the Jambos might be trailing the league leaders by nine points already, they do have the chance to climb above Rangers if the Gers slip up.

A sole Alan Forrest goal was enough to secure three points last weekend for his team against Ross County, and the three points combined with the clean sheet left fans feeling pleased with what they saw.

Hearts have struggled massively in front of goal this season, with only bottom-placed St Johnstone having found the back of the net fewer times than them, which is an area to improve upon.

However, the Jambos have been counterbalancing that with great defensive displays which is better than every team in the SPL this season, conceding just three times.

That defensive wall is something that Hibernian will be attempting to overcome this weekend, and will be the toughest challenge the Hibees face in trying to secure three points.

The visitors will need a stronger performance than what they provided during their last outing to make that happen though after they battled out a goalless draw against Dundee.

Despite that, the Hibees have been causing problems offensively since Nick Montgomery took charge, scoring 10 goals in his three other matches in the dugout.

Considering the fact a win would guarantee Hibernian would overtake their opponents in the league table there is plenty of incentive for the team.

Hibernian have had a mixed bag of results away from home so far with one win, draw, and defeat, with the focus for the team now on building up some consistency.

Hearts Scottish Premiership form:

D

L

L

W

L

W

Hearts form (all competitions):

L

L

W

L

W

W

Hibernian Scottish Premiership form:

L

L

W

D

W

D

Hibernian form (all competitions):

L

W

D

W

W

D

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Team News

The hosts have a plethora of injury issues with Craig Gordon, Alexander Cochrane, Barrie McKay, Craig Halkett, Nathaniel Atkinson and Kyosuke Tagawa all unavailable at the moment.

However, other players have been stepping up in their absence such as Forrest, who will want a starting place after scoring the match-winner as a substitute last weekend.

Adam Le Fondre was brought back into the starting lineup for Hibernian at the weekend alongside Dylan Vente, with the duo having 10 goals between them.

With no injury concerns to deal with the Hibees have plenty of options available, which could be an advantage heading into this match.

Hearts possible starting lineup:

Clark; Sibbick, Kent, Rowles, Kingsley; Nieuwenhof, Devlin; Grant, Boyce, Vargas; Shankland

Hibernian possible starting lineup:

Marshall; Miller, Fish, Hanlon, Stevenson; Tavares, Jeggo, Newell; Boyle, Vente, Le Fondre

We say: Hearts 2-2 Hibernian

There is very little to split these two teams in terms of the performances that they have delivered this season which should lead to a close encounter.

Both teams will believe that they can get a result, but that could lead to them holding out for a draw for derby day.

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