Both Hibernian and Hearts have had their European disappointments already this season, but they look to have got their acts together on the domestic front and that bodes well for an entertaining encounter in the first Edinburgh derby of the season.
Hearts came within minutes of winning the Scottish Premiership title last season, only to be denied by Celtic at the death, and have had to pick up the pieces after manager Derek McInnes and star striker Lawrence Shankland left for Rangers.
Hibs were beaten three times by their arch rivals last season, but hopes will be high after consecutive away league wins over the Gers and Motherwell.
Hibernian v Hearts Tips Summary
Best Bet - Over 2.5 goals @ 10/11
Alternative Bet - Martin Boyle to score at any time @ 15/8
Bet Builder - Both teams to score, Claudio Braga to have three or more shots & under five cards @ 21/4
Hibernian v Hearts Prediction
Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals @ 10/11
Both Hibernian and Hearts have had mixed fortunes in the opening weeks of the season, but while there have been disappointments on the European stages, they are looking the part in the Scottish Premiership.
Hearts have had the biggest wake-up call as they have adjusted to life under new Belgian boss Wouter Vrancken after being outclassed in the Champions League and Europa League by Sturm Graz and Benfica.
A penalties win over Rapid Vienna has ensured they are at least in the Conference League, but after a shaky start, they are back in the groove in the Premiership following wins over Dundee United and St Johnstone.
That should ensure they are confident for their trip across Edinburgh, especially as they won three of their four games against Hibs last term, when they came so close to winning the title.
Hibs, meanwhile, have the chance to bounce back from defeat in their last league game at Easter Road against Motherwell, and can contribute to a high-scoring game after having their morale boosted by wins over Rangers and Dundee.
Their Conference League exit to Gent looks to have been cast aside and we can expect a positive performance in a game that generates at least three goals.
Alternative Bet: Martin Boyle to score at any time @ 15/8
Hibs striker Martin Boyle has had a strong start to the campaign and should be backed to grab a derby goal.
He notched in the second leg of the Conference League qualifier against KF Malisheva and was on target in league games against Motherwell and Dundee too.
Boyle’s confidence is plainly high as he had seven attempts on goal in the win over the Dark Blues and it would not be a surprise if he was able to add to his tally this week.
Hibernian v Hearts Bet Builder Tip
Both teams to score
Claudio Braga to have three or more shots
Under five cards
Pays 21/4
The ingredients are there for this one to be an entertaining encounter and both teams have scored in six of the last eight derbies, so that is expected to continue in Thursday’s clash.
Claudio Braga is the darling of the Tynecastle faithful and the forward looks set to make a telling contribution to proceedings.
The Portuguese star scored 14 goals for Hearts last season and while a single strike in the 4-0 win over Dundee United is all he has to show for his efforts this term, he has had at least three shots in five of his nine outings, so he will not be afraid of trying his luck against the Hibs goalkeeper.
Derbies can be feisty affairs, but both Hibs and Hearts have been quite well behaved this term.
Both teams have a total of just three bookings from their opening three matches of the Scottish Premiership campaign, so the final element of the Bet Builder selection is for there to be fewer than five cards in Thursday’s clash.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
Both teams have scored in six of Hearts’ last seven away league matches
Hibernian’s last five home league outings all featured at least three goals
Hearts have scored in seven of their last eight visits to Easter Road
The Jambos have kept two clean sheets in their last 16 games
Hearts won three of the four Edinburgh derbies last season
Hibs have lost one of their last six matches
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
