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Hibs logo
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 32
Apr 15, 2023 at 12.30pm UK
Easter Road
Hearts logo

Hibernian
1 - 0
Hearts

Nisbet (67')
Egan Riley (10'), Johnson (11'), Doyle-Hayes (21'), Cadden (61'), Newell (78'), Campbell (90+1'), Hanlon (90+1')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Naismith (0'), Devlin (20'), Atkinson (77'), Kingsley (89'), Sibbick (90+2')

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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Scottish Premiership clash between Hibernian and Hearts, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Edinburgh rivals Hibernian and Hearts will lock horns at Easter Road on Saturday, with interim manager Steven Naismith leading the visitors for the first time since Robbie Neilson's sacking.

Both Hibs and Hearts have lost each of their last four Scottish Premiership matches, giving the old foes extra motivation to claim the Auld Reekie bragging rights this weekend.


Match preview

Hibernian manager Lee Johnson during the match on December 15, 2022© Reuters

Hibernian endured a run of nine defeats in 11 league outings between October and January before going seven games unbeaten, but Lee Johnson's men have fallen back into old habits of late.

Indeed, Hibs have lost each of their last four matches, conceding 11 goals along the way, with expected failures against Rangers and Celtic preceding disappointing defeats to Motherwell and Dundee United.

After suffering a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Rangers and a 3-1 defeat to Celtic, Lee Johnson's men lost 3-1 against Motherwell before losing 2-1 at Dundee United last time out, despite dominating proceedings at Tannadice.

The Hibbies registered 15 shots while enjoying the lion's share of possession against Dundee United, but a 90th-minute penalty from Jamie McGrath saw the hosts snatch all three points.

Occupying sixth place in the Scottish Premiership table – five points behind fourth-placed Hearts – Hibs will be desperate to return to winning ways and reignite their bid for European football.

Hearts Josh Ginnelly celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on March 8, 2023© Reuters

Robbie Neilson was sacked as Hearts manager following last weekend's 2-0 defeat to St Mirren, opening the door for Steven Naismith to take charge of the team on an interim basis.

It is fair to say that Naismith will need to hit the ground running in his new role if the Jam Tarts are to secure European football for next season, as the Tynecastle outfit have slipped down the standings in recent weeks.

Like Hibernian, Hearts have lost each of their last four Premiership encounters, with last month's Scottish Cup defeat to Celtic extending the club's winless run to five games across all competitions.

To make matters worse for Hearts, they have lost six of their previous eight league matches, conceding at least two goals in each of those defeats while failing to score on four occasions.

It is also worth pointing out that Hearts hold one of the worst away records in the division, having won just three of their 16 games on the road this season, with two draws and four losses coming in their last six away outings.

Hibernian Scottish Premiership form:

Hearts Scottish Premiership form:


Hearts form (all competitions):



Team News

Hearts' Andy Halliday celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates on October 27, 2022© Reuters

Hibernian will be without veteran winger Aiden McGeady for the foreseeable future as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury, while fellow winger Martin Boyle is sidelined with a knee problem.

The hosts will also need to make do without Kyle Magennis and Rocky Bushiri, with the latter having sustained a broken ankle earlier this year.

Having racked up nine goals and five goals in all competitions this season, John Campbell will continue to support lone striker Kevin Nisbet, who has scored nine goals in 12 league appearances since returning from injury.

Hearts, on the other hand, will be without the suspended Robert Snodgrass this weekend, as the 35-year-old picked up a red card in last weekend's defeat to St Mirren.

On top of that, Beni Baningime, Liam Boyce and Craig Halkett are all sidelined with knee issues, while goalkeeper Craig Gordon and winger Gary Mackay-Steven are also out injured.

Ross Stewart is expected to keep his place between the sticks, although Steven Naismith will be tempted to shake things up as he attempts to find a winning formula.

Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Marshall; Cadden, Fish, Egan-Riley, Cabraja; Jeggo, Newell; McKirdy, Campbell, Youan; Nisbet

Hearts possible starting lineup:
Stewart; Smith, Hill, Rowels, Kingsley; Devlin, Halliday; Forrest, Humphrys, Grant; Shankland


SM words green background

We say: Hibernian 2-2 Hearts

Having both lost each of their last four league games, Hibernian and Hearts will be eager to stop the rot this weekend, so we can see the arch-rivals sharing the points in an entertaining Edinburgh derby.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


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Written by
Ben Morris

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How you voted: Hibernian vs Hearts

Hibernian
20.0%
Draw
50.0%
Hearts
30.0%
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Rangers manager Michael Beale before the match on February 26, 2023
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1312104043637
2Aberdeen14103129161333
3RangersRangers13823189926
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd146532114723
5Motherwell136161619-319
6St Mirren155371925-618
7Dundee144462326-316
8Ross County153661227-1515
9St Johnstone1541101728-1113
10Kilmarnock143471627-1113
11Hibernian152671825-712
12Hearts152491625-910


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