Hibs vs Hearts Prediction: The most exciting Edinburgh derby in years

The Edinburgh derby has everything on the line as Hearts visit bitter rivals Hibernian (16:30 BST, Sky Sports Football. The hosts currently top the Scottish Premiership, one point ahead of Glasgow giants Rangers as we go to press. Meanwhile, Hibs are gunning for a top-four finish as they target fourth-placed Motherwell three points above them.

Keep reading for my Hibernian vs Hearts predictions ahead of this double-H humdinger.

Team News

Hearts will have midfield loanee Marc Leonard back from suspension, but Grant Hanley continues to serve his ban after being sent off against Aberdeen a fortnight ago.

Derek McInnes will have to do without Oisin McEntee, who is out for the remainder of the season. In addition, Scotland international keeper Craig Gordon is out with a shoulder injury.

Football Odds

The table-toppers also have Josh Mulligan (ankle) and Tomas Magnusson (thigh) sidelined, while Cammy Devlin and Harry Milne are doubts.

Hibs must make do without the services of forward Rudi Molotnikov due to an ankle issue. Munashe Garananga is touch-and-go but expected to be in the squad.

Hibernian vs Hearts Odds

This is a tight one, with Hearts priced at 7/5 while their hosts are on the market at 7/4. The draw is rated as a 5/2 shot.

Both teams to score is available for an 8/11 price while over 2.5 total goals is up at 4/5.

Draw @ 5/2

Derbies are at their best when they are a close-run thing between two thriving sides. Both Hibernian and Hearts are chasing something tangible as the season reaches the business end.

After finishing seventh last term, nobody expected Hearts to lead the league with the end in sight. Their one-point advantage over Celtic is a slender one and might even have evaporated by the time you read this. But the title is on in a way nobody expected from last season’s seventh-placed side.

Hibs won’t like that, but their disruption is not just fuelled by local historic enmity. Hibernian are aiming to supplant Motherwell and gatecrash the top four, having finished third last term behind the Glasgow giants of Celtic and Rangers.

Plenty to play for and that can breed caution. Hearts aren’t the best away from home, failing to win on their travels in their last four attempts. But Hibs have notched one win, one loss and a trio of stalemates in their last five league outings. I reckon we will get another draw in this match.

Claudio Braga to score anytime @ 7/4

Braga is riding the crest of a wave, netting in his last two outings and solidifying his position as one of the league’s outstanding strikers this season. The Portuguese marksman has struck 14 times in 32 games in his debut season in Scotland.

Will the summer signing endear himself further with a title medal around his neck? That remains to be seen. But in a game of fine margins, I’m backing the 26-year-old to keep the goals coming.

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