Preview: Hibernian vs. St Johnstone - prediction, team news, lineups

Two teams fresh from reaching the semi-final of the Scottish League Cup will face each other on Sunday when Hibernian play St Johnstone in league action.

The hosts are currently second in the table, just one point behind Rangers, while the Saints are only three ahead of the relegation zone.

Match preview

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Hibernian have made an undefeated start to their Scottish Premiership campaign, with a trio of victories and draws in their opening six matches.

They have proven themselves to be a strong unit so far and they are flying high with confidence at the moment, having not lost a match since August when they were knocked out of the Europa Conference League.

Despite that, they have thrived in the Scottish League Cup, which is the competition they most recently played in on Thursday when they were able to progress to the semi-final.

The Hibbies defeated Dundee United 3-1 away from home, after a blistering first half that saw them score three times with Joe Newell setting the tone in the third minute, before Scott Allan and Martin Boyle put the game beyond the Tangerines.

It was a welcome result for Jack Ross who had witnessed his team draw their previous two matches, which took place in the league, with the returning to winning ways being what his squad needed.

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Their previous fixture in the Scottish Premiership took place against St Mirren, where they were left disappointed after conceding in the 88th minute to share the points as the game finished 2-2.

This particular contest has the potential to be a preview of the Scottish League Cup final as St Johnstone also made it through, but they were not drawn against each other, meaning they could compete in the last game if they get to that stage.

The Saints defeated Dundee to reach the semi-final with goals from Shaun Rooney and Ali Crawford late in the second half helping to secure the victory.

Callum Davidson has now seen his team win consecutive games for the first time this season, keeping two clean sheets in the process to provide the perfect scenario.

St Johnstone defeated Aberdeen last weekend to secure their first victory in the league, with a 1-0 win courtesy of an 84th-minute goal from Stevie May.

After a difficult start to the campaign that saw them draw three times, lose twice and be knocked out of the Europa Conference League, it appears that the Saints have found some momentum which they will be hoping to continue this Sunday.

Team News

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After overcoming an illness, Hibernian were able to welcome back James Scott for the cup game on Thursday as he made an appearance from the bench to get some minutes under his belt.

Ross also brought Allan and Lewis Stevenson into the team against Dundee United, and considering that the midfielder was able to get on the scoresheet, he could have done enough to keep his place for this weekend.

There is still a group of players unavailable to the Hibbies due to injuries as Christian Doidge, Jamie Murphy, Melker Hallberg and Sean Mackie all missed out in midweek.

Both Liam Craig and Crawford were brought into the starting XI for the Saints against Dundee, with the latter rewarding his manager by finding the back of the net in the game, putting a perfect advert for himself ahead of Sunday.

Craig Bryson was not involved in the squad on Thursday evening, despite the fact that he has been back running recently following his injury, but his return to the team should be imminent.

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

St Johnstone possible starting lineup:
Clark; Brown, Ambrose, McCart; Rooney, Wotherspoon, Davidson, Booth; Middleton, Crawford, Kane

We say: Hibernian 2-1 St Johnstone

Both teams will be riding the momentum of their cup successes, but when it comes to the strength and quality of their squads, it is Hibernian who have the advantage.

Having been undefeated so far this season, the Hibbies are going to be very difficult to defeat on Sunday, with their defensive structure and attacking qualities likely being too much in this game.