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

Hibernian and Kilmarnock meet at Easter Road on Saturday afternoon in a Scottish Premiership clash that could have significant implications at both ends of the table.

Hibs are unbeaten in their last five matches but have drawn their last three, most recently playing out a goalless stalemate with Motherwell, while Kilmarnock arrive on the back of consecutive victories after a 2-0 win over bottom side Livingston.

Match preview

After securing a third-place finish in the Scottish Premiership last season, David Gray and his Hibernian side would have been targeting further progress, particularly with Scotland’s traditional top two showing signs of struggle.

However, after 31 league outings, they sit in fifth place, having earned 48 points from 12 wins, 12 draws and seven losses.

Only one team in the division has recorded more draws than Hibs, and that lack of cutting edge has played a major role in them falling 13 points short of where they finished last season.

Although they are unbeaten in five, with a huge win at home to Celtic coming in that run, they have drawn three games in a row and have failed to close the gap between themselves and the top four in recent weeks.

Defensively, Hibs have been strong, keeping clean sheets in all of their matches in March, but a lack of goals at the other end has become a concern.

While they remain comfortably clear of the relegation phase with an 11-point cushion, their current form shows there is a risk of them slipping further down the table.

As for Kilmarnock, they have also declined slightly since last season and sit second-bottom and two places below where they ended the last campaign.

After 31 Scottish Premiership outings, Neil McCann's side have picked up just 27 points, after earning six wins, nine draws and 16 losses.

Only Livingston have accumulated fewer points, but Killie showed their quality, and boosted their survival hopes, with a 2-0 victory over the division’s bottom side in the final game before the international break.

Goals from Joe Hugill and Findlay Curtis, along with a second consecutive clean sheet, secured their second win in a row and now puts them 12 points clear of bottom place.

Given the nature of the Scottish Premiership, a few more positive results could quickly lift Kilmarnock further up the table, and they could even draw level on points with ninth-placed Aberdeen with a win and results going their way.

The sides have already shared entertaining encounters this season, drawing 2-2 in August before Hibs claimed a 3-1 victory away from home over the New Year period.

Hibernian Scottish Premiership form:

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Kilmarnock Scottish Premiership form:

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Team News

Jordan Obita, Grant Hanley and Josh Mulligan all remain out for Gray's side, although they came away from their last clash with no further injuries.

After a month of defensive solidity, Gray is unlikely to make changes at the back, but switches in attack are possible following a goalless March.

Dane Scarlett could be one change Gray opts for up top, although the Tottenham loanee is still searching for his first goal in Hibs colours.

McCann has the luxury of naming the same XI once again and may be tempted to do so after back-to-back wins.

They will still be without Tyreece John-Jules, Kyle Magennis, Djenairo Daniels and Matthew Kennedy due to injury, while Lewis Mayo has recently returned to the bench.

Curtis is expected to retain his place after marking his recent goal with an international call-up.

Hibernian possible starting lineup:

Sallinger; O'Hora, Bushiri, Obita; Passlach, Barlaser, Chaiwa, N. Cadeen; Boyle, McGrath, Suto

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:

Roos; Brandon, Stanger, Deas, Schjonning-Larsen; Polworth, Tshibola, Curtis; Watkins, Kiltie, Hugill