Preview: Falkirk vs Hibernian - prediction, team news, lineups

Falkirk welcome Hibernian to Falkirk Stadium on Saturday afternoon for round 23 of the 2025-26 Scottish Premiership campaign.

The Bairns lost at home to Celtic in their previous league match, while Hibs drew 1-1 against Motherwell at Easter Road.

Match preview

Since being promoted as league champions from the Scottish Championship last season, Falkirk have certainly exceeded expectations in Scotland's top division.

John McGlynn's side currently sit sixth in the table and inside the division's Championship Group places, with 30 points from their 22 matches so far.

In their most recent match, the Bairns impressively knocked league leaders Hearts out of the Scottish Cup on penalties at Tynecastle Park, setting up a round of 16 tie away at Stenhousemuir.

Although they have experienced a fine season so far, Falkirk have struggled at home recently, having won only one of their previous five matches at Falkirk Stadium.

The Bairns have also failed to beat Hibernian in either of the two meetings between the sides so far this season, drawing 2-2 in round three and falling to a 3-0 defeat at Easter Road on December 6.

After finishing third in last year's Scottish Premiership campaign, Hibernian fans could perhaps be forgiven for wanting more from their team this season.

David Gray's side are currently fifth in the league table but find themselves a huge 15 points behind Hearts in top spot after only 22 matches.

Hibs also waved goodbye to their only realistic chance of silverware this season when they were defeated 1-0 by Scottish Championship side Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup last weekend.

Besides their cup exit, Hibernian have been on a promising run of form, going unbeaten in their previous five league fixtures and scoring 10 goals over that period.

If they were to claim victory on Saturday afternoon at Falkirk Stadium, where they have only lost on one of their previous seven visits, Hibernian would open the gap between the two sides to eight points in the league table.

Falkirk Scottish Premiership form:

Falkirk form (all competitions):

Hibernian Scottish Premiership form:

Hibernian form (all competitions):

Team News

Falkirk defender Tom Lang is still yet to return from a foot injury that was sustained only one month into the season.

McGlynn also continues to be without Lewis Neilson and Gary Oliver who are both sidelined with long-term injuries.

However, Falkirk did welcome Louie Marsh back to the starting lineup last weekend after the forward spent the first half of the season on loan at Sheffield United.

Despite the defeat to Dunfermline, Hibernian will take positives in that both forward Martin Boyle and midfielder Nicky Cadden returned to the pitch following injury.

Gray continues to be without midfielder Josh Campbell, who sustained an impact injury before the start of the year.

Although he was rested last weekend, defender Grant Hanley is expected to return to the starting lineup for Hibs on Saturday, having completed 90 minutes in each of his previous six league matches.

Falkirk possible starting lineup:

Bain; Lissah, Allan, Henderson, McCann; Yeats, Cartwright, Spencer; Tait, Stewart, Miller

Hibernian possible starting lineup:

Sallinger; O'Hora, Hanley, Iredale; Megwa, McGrath, Chaiwa, Barlaser, Obita; Youan, Bowie

We say: Falkirk 2-1 Hibernian

Coming off the back of an imposing cup win last weekend, Falkirk will no doubt be looking to dump further misery on Hibernian this Saturday afternoon.

Although the home side do not have the most convincing record at Falkirk Stadium, we see them putting in an inspired performance against Gray's side and cutting the gap between the teams in the league table to only two points.

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