Hearts v Hibs Prediction: Goals could flow in Edinburgh derby

Hearts and Hibs clash in the third Edinburgh derby of the season and it’s a chance for the visitors to win their first game against the Jambos this term.

The spoils were shared in a 2-2 Tynecastle draw earlier in the campaign and Hearts were 1-0 winners at Easter Road in December.

Steven Naismith’s men can cement their top-three position in the SPL table with a win over their Edinburgh rivals, while Hibs are desperate for points to climb into the top six.

Team news
Craig Halkett, Liam Boyce, Barrie McKay and Peter Haring all missed the weekend’s clash with Rangers through injury and are not expected to feature against Hibs.

Loan signing Owen Bevan has returned to Bournemouth, Josh Campbell is a long-term absentee and he is joined on the sidelines by Jake Doyle-Hayes.

Over 3.5 goals @ 2/1

Hearts had been on a good run, winning eight straight matches, until they were hammered 5-0 by Rangers on Saturday and that has raised a few questions when they host Hibs in the Edinburgh derby on Wednesday night.

Clearly, the Jambos aren’t facing a side of the class and attacking threat of the Gers at Tynecastle on Wednesday night, but it’s a swift turnaround from that heavy defeat and there may be a little hangover in play.

Steven Naismith’s men have a comfortable 11-point cushion on Kilmarnock in the battle for third place, but Hibs need the points to make ground in the race for the top six.

The Hibees have slipped two points off Dundee, who occupy the final cut-off spot and that is the least of the expectations on Nick Montgomery’s men.

The Leith outfit signed seven players in the January transfer window, but Montgomery’s men have won only three of their last 11 games. However, Hibs have won two of their last three matches, they have scored eight goals in their last four contests and the goals could flow in the Edinburgh clash.

Hearts have seen 35 goals scored in their last ten matches, the first Tynecastle Edinburgh derby of the season finished in a 2-2 draw and backing over 3.5 goals looks the bet on Wednesday night.

Lawrence Shankland to score @ 5/6

If the goals do flow at Tynecastle then you can expect Lawrence Shankland to make the net bulge. The Scotland international has scored 14 goals in his last 13 appearances for Hearts. He has found the net in 11 of his last 13 starts and the 28-year-old's expected goals numbers are excellent.

At 5/6, Shankland looks excellent value to find the net against Hibs.

Match Odds

Hearts are odds-on at 10/11 to win the third Edinburgh derby of the season, Hibs are 11/4 to take three much-needed points at Tynecastle and the draw is a 13/5 chance.

Football betting tips from Betfred Insights.