Preview: Ross County vs. Hibernian - prediction, team news, lineups

Hibernian travel to Ross County in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, hoping to claim their fourth successive league victory.

Meanwhile, the Staggies have struggled on home soil this campaign, picking up just 10 points from 14 matches and they face an in-form Hibs side who have claimed 29 points on the road.

Match preview

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Ross County failed to take advantage of Dundee United's poor run of form as they were beaten 2-0 at home last weekend.

The Staggies were level until the 63rd minute when Lawrence Shankland placed his effort past Ross Laidlaw before a header from Ryan Edwards gave the Tangerines a two-goal cushion that they were able to hold on to.

John Hughes 's men remain in the bottom two, one point behind Kilmarnock and with just 10 games left to play, the Staggies are set to stay in a relegation battle for the rest of this campaign unless their form improves quickly.

Ross County head into their encounter with Hibs having picked up four points against them this season, with a goalless draw in October followed by a 2-0 away victory in December.

Securing another three points on Saturday would see the Staggies move out of the relegation zone if Kilmarnock fail to win against league leaders Rangers.

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Hibernian secured their third successive league victory in six days as they sealed a 2-0 win at home to Aberdeen last weekend.

A brace from Martin Boyle earned the Edinburgh outfit their 14th Scottish Premiership victory of the season and moved them five points clear of the Dons in fourth.

Manager Jack Ross was pleased with the result and believes his side are 'looking strong as a group once again' after a recent dip in form that saw Hibs lose five out of seven matches in all competitions between Boxing Day and January 27, including a 3-0 defeat to St Johnstone in the Scottish League Cup semi-finals.

Hibs travel to Ross County with a much better away record in the league so far this campaign, winning nine games on the road which is only bettered by table toppers Rangers.

Claiming their 10th triumph away from home could see Ross's men consolidate third spot and move six points behind second-placed Celtic if they were to lose to St Johnstone.

Ross County Scottish Premiership form: LWLLWL

Hibernian Scottish Premiership form: DWLWWW

Hibernian form (all competitions): WLLWWW

Team News

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Ross County remain without injured defenders Tom Grivosti (hamstring) and Connor Randall (back), but both players could be back later this month.

Midfielder Iain Vigurs, who was not in the matchday squad that faced Dundee United, is a doubt for this weekend's match.

Strikers Oli Shaw and Billy Mckay are likely to compete with one another for a place in the starting lineup alongside new recruit Jordan White.

Hibs midfielder Joe Newell is still out with a groin injury and left-back Sean Mackie has a thigh problem, but both could return to action in the coming weeks.

Defender Ryan Porteous and forward Kevin Nisbet have been left out of the starting lineup for the last three games since both were linked with moves away from Easter Road and after three successive wins, Jack Ross may decide to keep them on the bench.

Ross County possible starting lineup:

Laidlaw; Naismith, Morris, Iacovitti, Tremarco; Paton, Andreu, Draper, Hylton; White, Shaw

Hibernian possible starting lineup:

Marciano; McGinn, McGregor, Hanlon; Cadden, Gogic, Irvine, Doig; Murphy; Doidge, Boyle

We say: Ross County 1-2 Hibernian

Hibs have failed to score in both of their previous meetings with Ross County this season, however with the visitors returning to form we can see Jack Ross's men securing all three points at Victoria Park, in what is expected to be a tight encounter.

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