Hibernian will attempt to extend their 100% record in the Scottish Premiership to three matches when they face Dundee on Sunday afternoon.
While Hibs make the trip to Dens Park in high spirits, the same cannot be said of their hosts who are still searching for their first league win of the season.
Match preview
© Reuters
Everyone associated with Hibs were naturally disappointed by the outcome of their Europa Conference League tie with Rijeka earlier this month, the Croatian side prevailing 5-2 on aggregate.
Nevertheless, Jack Ross's side have been perfect on the domestic front, netting eight goals in games against Motherwell, Ross County and Kilmarnock.
Hibs are realistically competing to be the best of the rest behind Rangers and Celtic, but Ross will stress to his players that there is an opportunity to aim higher with their more illustrious rivals having endured a less-than-perfect start to the campaign.
That said, Ross will want his squad to focus on one match at a time, particular with a game with either of the big two not due until October 2.
Christian Doidge, Kyle Magennis and Martin Boyle have each contributed two goals apiece during the league triumphs over Motherwell and Ross County.
Having posted five wins in the League Cup this season, Dundee boss James McPake cannot be too negative about his team's start to the Scottish Premiership.
The 6-0 reverse at Celtic left this group of players with plenty of soul-searching to do, but they responded in perfect fashion against Motherwell in the cup.
A clean sheet and late winner meant that everything went to plan for the Dark Blues, who now play host to St Johnstone in the quarter-finals.
However, Dundee need to build some momentum in the top flight and Jason Cummings will be expected to build on his fourth goals in all competitions.
- D
- L
- W
- W
- W
- D
- L
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- D
- W
- L
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Hibs were handed a blow earlier this month with the news that Doidge will miss a number of months due to an Achilles issue.
Kevin Nisbet will line up down the middle of the attack, while Paul Hanlon should replace Darren McGregor in defence after a head injury.
Boyle, who has just penned a new contract at Easter Road, will continue down the right flank.
Having made changes for the League Cup tie over Motherwell, McPake is expected to select the majority of the Dundee players who featured in that match.
However, youngster Corey Panter may be called upon to replace Jordan Marshall, who was sent off in the defeat at Celtic.
Dundee possible starting lineup:
Legzdins; Elliott, Ashcroft, Fontaine, Panter; McGhee, Byrne, Adam; McMullan, Cummings, McGowan
Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Macey; McGinn, Hanlon, Porteous, Doig; Doyle-Hayes, Newell; Boyle, Magennis, Murphy; Nisbet
We say: Dundee 1-2 Hibernian
Despite their capitulation last weekend, we still expect Dundee to respond with a much-improved performance in front of their own supporters. That said, they may struggle to see out a result against Hibs, who are playing with confidence in the final third.
Top tip
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 41.81%. A win for Dundee had a probability of 32.68% and a draw had a probability of 25.5%.
The most likely scoreline for a Hibernian win was 0-1 with a probability of 9.55%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-2 (8.85%) and 0-2 (7%). The likeliest Dundee win was 1-0 (8.25%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.08%). The actual scoreline of 2-2 was predicted with a 5.6% likelihood.
