31-12-2014, 23:09
The long awaited New Year Derby will be here on Saturday afternoon. Hibs will be playing in their second early kick-off in a week and if they can get off to the same start as they did against Rangers, then they'll be hard to beat. Unbeaten Hearts at home will be slight favourites, but Hibs have certainly narrowed the gap, both in play and confidence. The Jambos will undoubtedly be a tough nut to crack, unlike Rangers who were swept aside by Hibs, and Hearts have a difficult choice to make. Take Hibs on in a passing game, where Hearts could find themselves outplayed, or try to do a Rangers and hack Hibs out of the game in a vain attempt to intimidate the men in green. Either way, Hearts will know they've been in a game and would be delighted (and relieved) to preserve their unbeaten record, just as they were in the last derby at Easter Road.
As for Hibs - same again, please. The Hibees have nothing to lose and will love to once again have the chance of being the first to take 3 points off Hearts. At Tynecastle, such a victory would be even sweeter. If we get a Hibs' display similar to last week, I'd fancy a Hibs' victory by one or even two goals.
Barring injuries, the team should be along these lines:-
Oxley,
Gray, Fontaine, Hanlon, Stevenson,
Handling, Craig, McGeouch, Robertson, Allan,
Malonga.
Subs - Booth (only if required), Stanton, Cummings, Kennedy.
As for Hibs - same again, please. The Hibees have nothing to lose and will love to once again have the chance of being the first to take 3 points off Hearts. At Tynecastle, such a victory would be even sweeter. If we get a Hibs' display similar to last week, I'd fancy a Hibs' victory by one or even two goals.
Barring injuries, the team should be along these lines:-
Oxley,
Gray, Fontaine, Hanlon, Stevenson,
Handling, Craig, McGeouch, Robertson, Allan,
Malonga.
Subs - Booth (only if required), Stanton, Cummings, Kennedy.
Cabbage is still good for you