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Hearts logo
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 5
Sep 12, 2021 at 12pm UK
Tynecastle
Hibs logo

Hearts
0 - 0
Hibernian


Cochrane (47')
FT

Newell (56')

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

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

Hearts and Hibernian head into the next weekend of the season sitting in the top two places of the Scottish Premiership standings.

Both Edinburgh clubs have collected 10 points from their opening four fixtures, upping the stakes as they bid to extend their respective unbeaten records.


Match preview

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson pictured on October 31, 2020© Reuters

Given Rangers' dominance during 2020-21, it felt a relatively safe prediction that Steven Gerrard's side would once again be sitting in first place before the international break.

However, Hearts and Hibs have upstaged the champions, each of the capital sides posting three wins and a draw during the first month of the season.

After earning promotion from the Scottish Championship, Hearts set the tone with a 2-1 triumph over Celtic on July 31, taking advantage of a new era beginning at their opponents.

Robbie Neilson's side have kicked on since that fixture, recording victories at St Mirren and Dundee United either side of a draw with Aberdeen.

Liam Boyce has emerged as the club's star man, scoring three times in four outings, while Tynecastle appears to be the ideal place for Liverpool loanee Ben Woodburn to relaunch his career.

Hibernian manager Jack Ross pictured in October 2020© Reuters

Having scored three times fewer than their fierce rivals, Hearts find themselves behind early pacesetters Hibs on goal difference.

The fixture schedule has been kinder to Jack Ross and his squad, but netting 10 goals and keeping two clean sheets has laid down a marker to the teams below them.

While the long-term injury suffered by Christian Doidge came as a considerable blow, adding Middlesbrough youngster Nathan Wood to the squad could prove to be a shrewd piece of business.

Leading marksman Martin Boyle will be looking to score in his fifth successive league fixture on Sunday afternoon.

Hearts Scottish Premiership form:
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W

Hearts form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • W

Hibernian Scottish Premiership form:
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W

Hibernian form (all competitions):
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • W



Team News

Ben Woodburn celebrates after scoring for Wales on March 20, 2019© Reuters

Woodburn will hope to retain his place in the Hearts XI after improving his match sharpness while on international duty with Wales.

Armand Gnanduillet is expected to remain on the substitutes' bench despite scoring last time out, and he could be joined by new arrival Barrie McKay.

Hibs winger Jamie Murphy will be assessed ahead of this game after sustaining a hamstring injury two weeks ago.

Scott Allan replaced the winger at half time against Livingston, later providing an assist as Hibs prevailed 2-0.

The midfielder is in line to deputise for Murphy if required, but Wood will be restricted to a place on the bench at best.

Hearts possible starting lineup:
Gordon; Souttar, Halkett, Cochrane; Smith, Baningime, Haring, Halliday; Woodburn, Mackay-Steven; Boyce

Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Macey; McGinn, Porteous, McGregor, Doig; Doyle-Hayes, Magennis; Boyle, Allan, Scott; Nisbet


SM words green background

We say: Hearts 1-1 Hibernian

Despite the 2021-22 campaign still being in its infancy, this feels like one of the most significant Edinburgh derbies in years. With that in mind, we expect a full-bloodied encounter, one which could end in a share of the spoils.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win 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.Home/Away:data



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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Hibernian win with a probability of 40.32%. A win for Hearts had a probability of 32% and a draw had a probability of 27.7%.

The most likely scoreline for a Hibernian win was 0-1 with a probability of 11.81%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-2 (8.31%) and 0-2 (7.53%). The likeliest Hearts win was 1-0 (10.23%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (13.04%). The actual scoreline of 0-0 was predicted with a 9.3% likelihood.


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Game History

How you voted: Hearts vs Hibernian

Hearts
61.5%
Draw
18.5%
Hibernian
20.0%
65
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Barrie McKay in action for Nottingham Forest on October 15, 2017
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic30225371234871
2RangersRangers29231564164870
3Hearts3017493930955
4Kilmarnock30111183933644
5St Mirren30126123637-142
6Hibernian30911104145-438
7Dundee2999114050-1036
8Motherwell30711124147-632
9Aberdeen3079143348-1530
10St Johnstone30610142141-2028
11Ross County3069152851-2327
12Livingston3038192052-3217


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