Hibs v Hearts
Scottish Premiership, Saturday, December 29. KO 5.30pm. Live on Sky Sports
IT really is a Super Saturday in Scotland before the top-flight sides head off for a winter break.
The action starts at 12.30pm with the live showdown between Rangers and Celtic and at 5.30pm armchair fans will be treated to Hibs v Hearts – or they may choose to watch fewer bones being crunched in Liverpool v Arsenal.
An Edinburgh derby isn't for the faint-hearted and it's usually too frenetic for silky football. But that doesn't mean it won't be entertaining especially if you like the rawer aspects of football and an electric atmosphere.
Picking a winner isn't easy though. Hibs have shown signs of returning to their best with victory against Celtic and two draws with Rangers while Hearts look back on track having eased their injury list.
Hibs have won five in a row at home to their Edinburgh rivals but have plenty of selection of problems with Lewis Stevenson injured and Aussie trio Mark Milligan, Martin Boyle and Jamie Maclaren called up for the Asian Cup.
Boss Neil Lennon also has doubts about players such as Marvin Bartley and Ryan Porteous so it's a squad stretched to the limit.
Hearts know what it's like to lose players but have star man Steven Naismith back and that gave them a huge boost against Hamilton at the weekend with a comfortable win.
Can't see Hibs taking three points with so many players out so going Hearts draw no bet at 33-20 with 888sport.
Scotland star Naisy marked his comeback with a goal against Accies and is 14-5 at 888sport to strike again. With Boyle and Maclaren on international duty Hibs' best bet of a goal will come from Flo Kamberi who is 33-20.
Five of the last six meetings have gone under 2.5 goals and that looks the call again at 3-4 with 188BET.
Like the Old Firm game there is always the potential of a sending off especially with Kevin Clancy in charge. He has reffed 11 Premiership games this season and shown five reds.
Clancy has taken charge of a Hibs league game this season but in two Hearts games has booked an incredible 16 players.
A red card at Easter Road pays 11-4 and keep an eye on bookings markets when they go up – back overs if the line is set below five.
Recommended Bets
- Hearts draw no bet (33-20)
- Naismith to score (14-5)
- Under 2.5 match goals (3-4)
- Red card in match (11-4)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
5years since jambos won at the san giro. Surely due one. Many late winners over the years so im trying a hearts goal after 85 mins. Also consider penalty miss . About to check skybet for odds
Just checked. 1st goal 86+ 11/1. Hearts to miss penalty 28/1. Also hearts to take penalty 7/1