Hibernian, looking to climb from the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table, are set to host Ross County at Easter Road Stadium on Saturday afternoon for matchday 17 of the season.
The hosts are at the foot of the table with 12 points from their opening 16 fixtures, while the visitors are eighth in the standings with 15 points after their 16 games.
Match preview
![Hibernian Manager David Gray during the Premier Sports Cup Group C match at Easter Road, Edinburgh UK against Peterhead on July 27, 2024 [on August 2, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/31/david-gray.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Hibernian Manager David Gray during the Premier Sports Cup Group C match at Easter Road, Edinburgh UK against Peterhead on July 27, 2024 [on August 2, 2024]")
© Imago
Hibernian have endured a miserable start to the 2024-25 season, sitting bottom of the Scottish Premiership table with just 12 points after 16 matches, from two wins, six draws and eight defeats.
David Gray's men initially had a strong start with three wins from their first four Scottish League Cup group stage games, losing the remaining match to Kelty Hearts, but have since secured only two victories in their next 17 outings across all competitions.
They failed to win any of their first four league fixtures, losing two and drawing two, before finally defeating St Johnstone (2-0) on matchday five, but they were unable to build on that result in the subsequent games.
Hibs proceeded to go nine matches without a win, suffering five losses and four draws in that time, before securing a superb 3-0 victory against Motherwell at the end of last month.
Gray's side were once again unable to build momentum following that triumph, losing 3-0 to Celtic last time out, and the manager will be desperate to avoid another winless streak.
A victory could see Hibs rise from the bottom of the standings to as high as eighth depending on results elsewhere, as they trail Ross County by just three points.
Ross County are also suffering a difficult period heading into this one, having recorded just one win in their last six outings, losing three and drawing two.
That type of form has summed up Ross County's season thus far, with the Staggies only managing three wins in the opening 16 fixtures of the Scottish Premiership season, alongside six draws and seven defeats.
Those results leave Don Cowie's men sitting eighth in the table with 15 points, just three above Saturday's opponents, though they also trail sixth-placed Dundee by only four points.
That position will surely please Cowie, as Ross County's primary aim heading into this season would have been to avoid a third consecutive appearance in the relegation playoff final.
Team News
© Imago
Hibs are without both Kieron Bowie and Rudi Molotnikov for this match with the pair unlikely to return to action until later this month or early next due to ongoing injury concerns.
Mykola Kukharevych was forced off in the 27th minute of their defeat to Celtic, meaning Dwight Gayle could be in line to make just his second league start of the season.
Nicky Cadden has been in excellent form for Hibernian recently, with three goals and an assist in his last five appearances, and he will look to maintain that momentum to help lead Hibs to victory here.
As for Ross County, Kacper Lopata, Ross Laidlaw and Will Nightingale are all unlikely to feature until later this month or early next due to injuries.
Ronan Hale is Ross County's top scorer this season with five league goals in 16 appearances, and the visitors will be hoping he can make the difference here.
Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Smith; Miller, O'Hora, Kiranga, Iredale, Obita; Youan, Triantis, Newell, Cadden; Gayle
Ross County possible starting lineup:
Hamilton; Wright, Allardice, Campbell; Efete, Randall, Nisbet, Harmon; Chilvers, Hale, Samuel
We say: Hibernian 1-1 Ross County
Both teams have endured challenging starts to the season, and with six draws each in 16 league games, the joint most in the league, we predict this match will end in a stalemate.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
