Hibernian will aim to extend their unbeaten streak in the Scottish Premiership to six games when they welcome relegation-threatened Kilmarnock to Easter Road on Saturday afternoon.
Following a run of four defeats in five league outings, Killie find themselves just two points clear of the bottom two – 11 points behind fifth-placed Hibs.
Match preview
© Reuters
When Hibernian suffered nine losses in 11 Premiership matches between October and January – picking up two wins along the way – it looked as though the Edinburgh outfit would drop out of the top six.
However, Hibs have rediscovered their early-season form in recent weeks, taking 11 points from a possible 15 to alleviate pressure on manager Lee Johnson.
After beating Motherwell 3-2, Johnson's men drew with Dundee United before thrashing Aberdeen 6-0, and they extended their unbeaten run to five matches with a draw against Ross County and a victory over St Mirren.
It is worth pointing out that much of Hibernian's success has come at Easter Road this season, with only three of their 12 home league games ending in defeat.
Having won six of their previous 10 Premiership matches at home – scoring at least three goals in four of those six victories – Hibs will fancy their chances of heaping more misery on struggling Kilmarnock.
© Reuters
After gaining promotion from the Scottish Championship last season, Kilmarnock are in real danger of making a swift return to the second tier.
The East Ayrshire outfit have lost 14 of their 25 league games this term, while no team in the division has suffered more defeats, meaning that they find themselves three points above bottom club Dundee United.
Not only have Killie lost four of their last five Premiership matches, but they have also lost eight of their previous 13, claiming just three wins in the league since late October.
To make matters worse for Derek McInnes's side, they have failed to pick up a single away league win this season, registering two draws and 11 defeats on their travels.
Having scored a measly five goals on the road this term – conceding 27 in the process – Kilmarnock will struggle to improve their woeful away record when they face in-form Hibs.
Team News
Hibernian currently have seven players sidelined due to injury, with Martin Boyle, Kevin Nisbet, Jake Doyle-Hayes, Mykola Kukharevych, Kyle Magennis, Rocky Bushiri and Mikey Devlin on the treatment table.
That said, Johnson has made the most of his squad of late, with experienced players such as David Marshall and Aiden McGeady coming to the fore.
Young midfielder Josh Campbell will also feature in the starting XI this weekend, having racked up eight goals and five assists across all competitions this season.
With nine goals and seven assists to his name this term, winger Danny Armstrong looks set to play a key role in Kilmarnock's attack on Saturday, supporting Christian Doidge and Kyle Vassell.
Killie will be without the injured trio of Ben Chrisene, Jeriel Dorsett and Innes Cameron for the trip to Easter Road, so McInnes is expected to start Luke Chambers, Lewis Mayo and Joe Wright in defence.
Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Marshall; Egan-Riley, Fish, Hanlon, Stevenson; Newell, Jeggo; McKirdy, Campbell, McGeady; Youan
Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
Walker; Alebiosu, Wright, Mayo, Chambers; Armstrong, Power, Polworth, McKenzie; Doidge, Vassell
We say: Hibernian 2-0 Kilmarnock
Carrying a five-game unbeaten run into Saturday's clash, Hibernian should not struggle to claim all three points against Kilmarnock, who will have to wait for their first away league win of the season.
Only one team has scored fewer goals than Killie this term, while only one side has conceded more, so Hibs are expected to inflict a fifth defeat in six league matches on the East Ayrshire club.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
