MX23RW : Saturday, April 27 16:57:39| >> :120:23906:23906:
[monks data]
Hibs logo
Scottish Cup | Fourth Round
Jan 22, 2023 at 2pm UK
Easter Road Stadium
Hearts logo

Hibernian
0 - 3
Hearts


Jeggo (18'), Bushiri (50')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Ginnelly (10'), Shankland (72'), Sibbick (90+6')
McKay (19'), Cochrane (27'), Shankland (50'), Ginnelly (90+7')

Preview: Hibernian vs. Hearts - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Scottish Cup clash between Hibernian and Hearts, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

The latest instalment of the Edinburgh derby takes place at Easter Road when Hibernian play host to rivals Hearts in the fourth round of the Scottish FA Cup on Sunday.

The two teams meet for the second time this month after the Jam Tarts secured a comprehensive 3-0 Premiership win on home soil on January 2.


Match preview

Bristol City boss Lee Johnson on December 22, 2019© Reuters

Since losing the derby against Hearts almost three weeks ago, Hibs have bounced back by accumulating four points from their last two league games against Motherwell and Dundee United.

A Kevin Nisbet hat-trick inspired the Cabbage to a 3-2 away win over Motherwell before Nisbet scored both goals, including a 90th-minute equaliser, to rescue a 2-2 draw at home against Dundee United last weekend.

Lee Johnson's side currently sit sixth in the Premiership table, seven points clear of the drop zone, and they will now shift their focus to the Scottish Cup, a competition that they have won three times in their 147-year history.

Hibs beat Hearts 1-0 on home soil in a fifth-round replay en route to lifting the Scottish Cup in 2015-16, and they have since experienced mixed fortunes against their city rivals at Easter Road, winning, drawing and losing three home games each in all competitions.

The Cabbage will be looking to progress to the quarter-final stage of the Scottish Cup for the fifth successive year with a victory on Sunday, but coming out on top could prove challenging against a Hearts outfit who have been in fine form since the World Cup break.

Hearts' manager Robbie Neilson on January 26, 2022© Reuters

Only Glaswegian giants Celtic and Rangers (16) have accumulated more Premiership points than Hearts (14) since the season resumed in mid-December, with the Jam Tarts heading to Easter Road after winning four of their last five matches.

Robbie Neilson's side followed up a slender 1-0 home victory over St Mirren last Friday with an emphatic 5-0 triumph against Aberdeen in front of their own fans on Wednesday night.

Strikes from Michael Smith, Lawrence Shankland and Josh Ginnelly gave the hosts a commanding lead at half time after Graham Shinnie's own goal had opened the scoring, before Cammy Devlin netted a fifth just after the hour mark to secure their biggest top-flight win since January 2016.

Hearts have now consolidated third place in the Premiership, sitting seven points clear of Livingston in fourth and 11 clear of Hibs, while they are 14 points behind Rangers in second place.

Neilson's men now begin their quest for glory in the Scottish Cup, with the eight-time champions hoping to go all the way and lift the trophy for the first time since the 2011-12 campaign.

The Jam Tarts, who have been losing finalists in the Scottish Cup in three of the last four seasons, will fancy their chances of progressing from the fourth round on Sunday, as they are unbeaten in each of their last eight Edinburgh derby meetings with Hibs.

Hibernian form (all competitions):


Hearts form (all competitions):



Team News

Hibernian's Elias Melkersen in action with Hearts' Toby Sibbick on April 16, 2022© Reuters

Hibs will be without long-term absentees Martin Boyle and Mykola Kukharevych, while Joe Newell is ruled out through suspension which has been carried over from last season's Scottish Cup.

Johnson is hopeful to have Chris Cadden and Paul Hanlon back in the first-team fold on Sunday after spells out with injury, while Jake Doyle-Hayes is doubtful with a knock and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.

In the absence of Newell, Ewan Henderson may start in centre-midfield alongside Kyle Magennis and Josh Campbell, and in-form striker Nisbet could be supported in attack by Aiden McGeady and Elie Youan.

As for Hearts, Liam Boyce, Beni Baningime (both ACL) Craig Gordon (broken leg), Gary Mackay-Steven (foot), Craig Halkett (knee) and Peter Haring (concussion) are all sidelined.

Toby Sibbick should be fit to feature on Sunday after coming off with cramp against Aberdeen, while Stephen Kingsley will be pushing to start his first game since mid-December after a spell out with concussion.

Top scorer Shankland – who has netted 19 goals in all competitions so far this season, 14 more than any of his teammates – is set to be joined in attack by Ginnelly and Barrie McKay.

Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Marshall; Cadden, Porteous, Bushiri, Stevenson; Campbell, Henderson, Magennis; McGeady, Nisbet, Youan

Hearts possible starting lineup:
Clark; Hill, Sibbick, Rowles; Smith, Devlin, Snodgrass, Cochrane; McKay; Ginnelly, Shankland


SM words green background

We say: Hibernian 1-2 Hearts

Hearts head into Sunday's Edinburgh derby as favourites considering their strong run of form and recent head-to-head record against rivals Hibs.

The hosts will hope that Nisbet can continue his scoring run, but the visitors have a goal machine of their own in Shankland and we can see the Jam Tarts coming out on top to progress to the fifth round.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


ID:504718:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect12992:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Hibernian vs Hearts

Hibernian
31.8%
Draw
9.1%
Hearts
59.1%
22
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Celtic players celebrate after the match on May 7, 2022
Read Next:
Rangers travel to Livingston, Celtic host Aberdeen in 2022-23 SPFL opening fixtures
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!