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

Hearts and Hibernian head into the next weekend of the season sitting in the top two places of the Scottish Premiership standings.

Both Edinburgh clubs have collected 10 points from their opening four fixtures, upping the stakes as they bid to extend their respective unbeaten records.

Match preview

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Given Rangers' dominance during 2020-21, it felt a relatively safe prediction that Steven Gerrard's side would once again be sitting in first place before the international break.

However, Hearts and Hibs have upstaged the champions, each of the capital sides posting three wins and a draw during the first month of the season.

After earning promotion from the Scottish Championship, Hearts set the tone with a 2-1 triumph over Celtic on July 31, taking advantage of a new era beginning at their opponents.

Robbie Neilson's side have kicked on since that fixture, recording victories at St Mirren and Dundee United either side of a draw with Aberdeen.

Liam Boyce has emerged as the club's star man, scoring three times in four outings, while Tynecastle appears to be the ideal place for Liverpool loanee Ben Woodburn to relaunch his career.

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Having scored three times fewer than their fierce rivals, Hearts find themselves behind early pacesetters Hibs on goal difference.

The fixture schedule has been kinder to Jack Ross and his squad, but netting 10 goals and keeping two clean sheets has laid down a marker to the teams below them.

While the long-term injury suffered by Christian Doidge came as a considerable blow, adding Middlesbrough youngster Nathan Wood to the squad could prove to be a shrewd piece of business.

Leading marksman Martin Boyle will be looking to score in his fifth successive league fixture on Sunday afternoon.

Team News

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Woodburn will hope to retain his place in the Hearts XI after improving his match sharpness while on international duty with Wales.

Armand Gnanduillet is expected to remain on the substitutes' bench despite scoring last time out, and he could be joined by new arrival Barrie McKay.

Hibs winger Jamie Murphy will be assessed ahead of this game after sustaining a hamstring injury two weeks ago.

Scott Allan replaced the winger at half time against Livingston, later providing an assist as Hibs prevailed 2-0.

The midfielder is in line to deputise for Murphy if required, but Wood will be restricted to a place on the bench at best.

Hearts possible starting lineup:
Gordon; Souttar, Halkett, Cochrane; Smith, Baningime, Haring, Halliday; Woodburn, Mackay-Steven; Boyce

Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Macey; McGinn, Porteous, McGregor, Doig; Doyle-Hayes, Magennis; Boyle, Allan, Scott; Nisbet

We say: Hearts 1-1 Hibernian

Despite the 2021-22 campaign still being in its infancy, this feels like one of the most significant Edinburgh derbies in years. With that in mind, we expect a full-bloodied encounter, one which could end in a share of the spoils.