There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Hearts's last 4 games (Premiership). Hearts are undefeated in their last 6 matches against Hibernian in all competitions. Hearts have conceded at least 2 goals in their last 3 away matches (Premiership).
Lee Johnson takes charge of his first Edinburgh derby, with Hibernian having snuck past St Johnstone 1-0 in Perth courtesy of a last-gasp goal from substitute Josh Campbell at McDiarmid Park. Left-back Marijan Čabraja made his debut for the Hibees after his work permit was approved during the week leading up to the match. Chris Cadden recovered from a knock to start at right-back. Jake Doyle-Hayes and Demetri Mitchell have recovered from injury, both among the substitutes against Saints. Jair Tavares made his first start for Hibs, as did striker Elie Youan who, like Čabraja, had to wait on his work permit completion. Hearts squeezed past Ross County 2-1 at Tynecastle in their Scottish Premiership opener, and head into the Edinburgh derby knowing that they can't start as poorly as they did against the Staggies in Gorgie. The most notable Jambo absentee was Stephen Kingsley, a mainstay in the men in maroon's back three. He was replaced by Toby Sibbick as Craig Halkett moved into the centre to cover for Kingsley. Goals came from both flanks, Alan Forrest marking his competitive debut with the opener before Barrie McKay put Hearts two to the good. Both played in support of lone striker Lawrence Shankland as Liam Boyce came off the bench.
Three league meetings and a Scottish Cup semi-final brought just seven goals in four matches between Hibernian and Heart of Midlothian in last season's Edinburgh derbies. The Hibees were consigned to the bottom six by their nearby neighbours, the week before they lost to Hearts at Hampden, which ultimately cost Shaun Maloney his job. Since then, there's a new man in the dugout with a plethora of new players that are tasked with re-establishing Hibernian's reputation and trying to haul the club back into the spots for European qualification. A victory in the derby, coupled with last week's win against St Johnstone, would be a superb start to the league season. As for the Jambos, they were the 'best of the rest' in Scotland's top tier last year and are looking to repeat the feat while competing in European competition. Hearts have learned that they'll play Northern Ireland's Linfield or, most likely, FC Zurich of Switzerland in their Europa League playoff tie so will want to build some momentum to give themselves the best possible chance of playing in the Europa League group stage as opposed to the Europa Conference League. Two of the three league meetings last season ended in goalless draws, but surely the scoreline will differ even if the outcome may be the same as what we saw in half of the derbies played last season. 1:1