[ritchiebaby]

The last Edinburgh derby arrives on Sunday at 2.15pm. The game is live on Sky Sports for those of you lucky (?) enough to be giving your hard-earned cash to Rupert. Hibs have one more chance to take 3 points off Hearts and lift their haul against them to 5 points, which would be fully deserved over the play in the 3 games so far.

Hearts had a slight wobble against Rangers, but got back on track last night against Alloa. They are still the team to measure yourself against and Hibs have done well against them so far, probably deserving better results than they got. The Jambos will be fired up for this one, as they should be, and have the players to damage a fragile defence.

Hibs defence have been reasonably good, but have the ability to do something stupid, usually through a lack of concentration. Oxley can be suspect under pressure and I'm certain Hearts will be bombarding him at free-kicks and corners. Hibs biggest problem recently has been the midfield being outnumbered and outfought. Subsequently our attack has been under pressure and although there has been numerous goal attempts, all our potential scorers have struggled to find the target.

The other top six teams also play against each other on Sunday, so there's plenty of room for more upsets - thrills and spills all the way to the end of the season. Queen of the South play Falkirk and Rangers play Raith Rovers.

My Hibs team for a game that might be vital to Hibs play-off place chances:-

Cerny (although I think Alan Stubbs will stick with Oxley)
Forster, Hanlon, Fontaine, Stevenson,
Stanton, McGeouch, Robertson, Allan,
Cummings, El Alagui

Subs - Watson, Fyvie, Dja Djedje.

Malonga might be fine for Dumbarton away, but not for a home derby. He would be odds on to attract all the boos after any slight mistake and that must be bad for the team, as Hearts would thrive on the negativity.

[St Charles Owl]

A win would set you up nicely for the playoffs and be a good boost to the confidence irrespective of which position you ultimately end up in. I imagine Tynie is going mental with his hatred of the Jambos on the other forum, it must be killing him to see them succeed this season, I am glad you are more level headed about the intercity rivalry!!!

[ritchiebaby]

SCO, tynie (or 0-7 as I usually call him) is a Hibby through and through like me, just a different style. Any good team needs a mix of different attitudes and attributes, so we complement each other.  

Hibs have another chance to put Rangers under a bit of pressure, so let's do it. This is no time for niceties during the game and we've got to become ruthless to achieve our aims. We have a good chance to be second and an excellent chance to be in a play-off spot at the end of the league. It's all up to us after that.

[Fredstersafool]

Tynie compliments nothing the man is a bigot,as pointed out by SCO his hatred of hearts has consumed him,the other posters are very much banter orientated but he post nothing but bile when it comes to us,all season I have hoped we'd both come up and nothing has changed that attitude I'm 100% certain if hibs had win the championship Tynie would be on his knees praying for hearts to stay down

[ritchiebaby]

Fred, all my life I've taken the attitude that I try to find the best in people. Until experience teaches me otherwise, that is. My late mother taught me this little ditty which I've tried to follow, not always successfully I might add.

"There's so much good in the worst of us
and so much bad in the best of us,
that it ill becomes any of us
to speak about the rest of us."

As far as the derby is concerned, I'll have respect for Hearts before the game, during the game and after the game, but I'll still want to send them home with nothing. You obviously feel the same way towards Hibs and I can have no problem with that.

Now that's enough of this peace and love nonsense. Let's get stuck in and give both sets of fans a committed, skilful and exciting game.

[Fredstersafool]

Ritchie ditto from me

[ritchiebaby]

Well, I got my wish today. After another derby match where Hibs started out the more positive team and only had one goal to show for it from Jason Cummings, it could have gone all wrong. As well as scoring, Hibs hit the bar twice in a dominant first half. When Hearts eventually altered their failed stifling tactics, they actually came back into  the game a little bit, but the Hibs players were so committed that they were still in control. They even had a few chances to extend their lead before El Alagui scored a late goal after a Hibs break-out, after yet another failed Hearts attack.

Hibs are obviously the better Edinburgh team this season despite Hearts running away with the league title. A win and 2 draws makes 5 points each, but Hibs have +1 goal difference and Hearts are on -1. Can you tell I enjoyed today's result?

[Fredstersafool]

Naw you've had the better of the last 3 derbies,Hearts are by miles the best team in the league ritchie winning the title proves that,nice try though sir lol.

I defo can tell you enjoyed that and so you should you don't get many opportunities.

[ritchiebaby]

Can't argue against anything you say there, fred. Just a bad day at the office for you guys.

[St Charles Owl]

Still, bragging rights are always nice to have on at least some level!!! Of course if Hibs don't get promoted the ultimate bragging rights will belong to Fred and the Rangers guys for at least a season, so you had better keep this form up if you want to at least have something to brag about!!