Thursday, 7.45, live on Sky Sports 1
THERE is one game tonight and it could be an explosive one between Hearts and Hibs.
The Edinburgh rivals have produced some tasty fare down the years with Hearts enjoying the upperhand in recent campaigns.
Their dominance was highlighted by last season's 5-1 Scottish Cup Final win but Hibs have hit back this campaign and got revenge of sorts when they knocked the Jambos out in their first defence of the trophy.
That was Hibees' first win over their rivals in 13 attempts and three years – and they go into this Tynecastle clash on a high after beating Celtic last weekend.
It was a 1-1 draw at Tynecastle earlier in the seasons and with Hibs six points clear of their rivals any thoughts about an inferiority complex have been wiped out.
Hibs will feel this is their best chance in ages of winning in their neighbours' backyard. Certainly they possess a weapon Hearts don't have – a matchwinner in the shape of Leigh Griffiths.
The on-loan Wolves hitman netted a cracking winner against Celtic to take his season's tally to 14 in the SPL – joint top woth Billy McKay.
Griffiths will be the one Hearts have to watch and dyed-in-the-wool Hibee will be desperate to net against the Jambos before possibly signing out of Easter Road.
The Scotland cap is 13-2 at BetVictor and Coral to bag the opener and 2-1 at Betfred to net at any time.
John Sutton will be Hearts' main threat up front and he is 6-1 (various) first and 11-5 at Betfred anytime. Ryan Stevenson, the penalty taker, has been in the goals recently and is 9-1 (bet365, BetVictor) and 10-3 (Betfred) respectively.
For the match itself Hearts are 11-10 favourites at Coral and Ladbrokes and it looks a bit short to me.
Hibs are as big as 11-4 with the likes of BetVictor while the draw pays 12-5 (various).
A read an interesting stat that Hibs hadn't lost a New Year derby played on a Thursday since 1903 and that makes me wonder whether it will be their night.
You'll be gathering that I find this, and it's often the case in derbies, really tough to call but I've a feeling Hibs won't lose. Whether I'm brave enough to take them I don't know but for sure I'll be on draw no bet at 13-8 with Paddy Power.
There is always a possibility of a red card in this game but William Hill go no bigger than 9-4 so instead consider the first booking between 16-30 minutes with the same firm at 8-5.
A few cards are likely to be flashed but hopefully the ref will resist the temptation to reach into his pocked in the first 15 minutes.
Recommendations
Griffiths to score
(2-1, Betfred)
Hibs draw no bet
(13-8, Paddy Power)
First booking 16-30mins
(8-5, William Hill)
In December 2020 we sadly 
Draw no Bet would be very appealing to those who bet big – the fact risk has been reduced too. I fancy hibs, but Hearts are so hit and miss. Here hoping to a good game nonetheless
Seamus, I hope my doubts over the game came across. It’s pretty tough to call and if I wasn’t watching the game I’d probably do no bet.
Sure is tough to call. Am going £10, hibs win @ 5/2 with paddy power. Hopefully get home from work in time to watch it :)
I was looking at Griffiths which is a good price but find it strange why he is 2/1 with Betfred and only 11/8 with Tote (same company).
Chris, I’ve noticed their prices in some markets vary so I’m assuming totesport retained some of their own compilers and do some of their own online odds.
Didn’t even realise there was any football on tonight. I just went into Betfred and prices the same as online. Sutton @ 11/5 and Griffiths @ 2/1 is too big in my opinion especially when the they are 5/1 with Betfred to score first. Ladbrokes, Hills and many others have them @ 11/8 which is prob about right but hey who’s complaining. I just stuck on £50 on each player for anytime. I expect at least one of these players to get on the score sheet.
2-1 to the jam tarts.
2-2 draw 14/1 for me 10 pound.
USA man, a draw has a chance. I think I’ll be on Hibs draw no bet and might go Griffiths to score and score first once I see the line-ups.
Uve got the bets right here. Hearts are woefully short in the betting and McGowan will be a huge Loss. I’ve no idea why theres been so much money for hearts. Must be the addicts coming out to play as its the only game on! I’m a hibs fan home and away and I never bet us but I cant refuse tonight just cant see us losing! Famous last words I know :)
Craig, I hoped I’ve called it right. You must take some ribbing from fellow Hibees with that moniker!
Paul I have an acct with 365 and the only card times market they do is 5/6 each of 2, 27 mins or before/27 mins after for time of 1st card.would u take 5/6 as an alternative to your card market selection?
Paul, 5-6 27 minutes or before would be my choice and must have a chance.
me two mr fix it. yes sir for sure.
Is this game likely to have a few goals? Over 1.5, 2.5? Or is it risky? Cheers
Robbie, I think it’s risky going for goals but may get a better idea once it starts for an inrunning bet.
Come on the hearts.
Anton, USA man, sorry hit the wrong button. Set it up to remind the game was on tomorrow.
Paddy power enhancing an anytime wincast on Griffiths anytime and him win 11/2 worth a shout …
scorecast
zaliukas and 1-1 70-1 with coral £5 on then checked willie hills and its 140-1.i will not be betting in corals again.
James, always best to compare. Sometimes Coral will be bigger, sometimes it will be Hills. It always varies.
Grifiths 1st gl and hibs win for me 9/1 £5 free bet
Thanks paul. Going to have £15 on.those asking about goals, me personally I think 2-2.racing post tips under 2.5
Paul, you know what it’s like, an early goal can change everything. There have been more under games than over recently between the two but anything goes in a New Year derby. Players will give their all before the SPL takes a two-week break.
in ladbrokes there returning correct scores bets if there is a red card in the game 2-2 draw not bad then . good luck all.
Fancy Hearts tonight. Recent form better, their record in recent derbies hard to ignore along with home advantage. Took Hearts single along with a wee touch on them -1. Good chance of red card usa man – always is in derbies. Fans will be pumped up and will fire players up – price for red card just too short for me tho.
???? Am lost, fellow hibees hahaha
Hearts to win 1-0 6/1
£1 singles on 2-2 14/1,hearts/hibs 33/1 & hibs/hearts 25/1
50p anytime scorcasts – griffiths 2-2 25/1 & sutton 2-2 22/1
Zaliuskas 1st gl 3-2 hibs 460/1
Hanlon 1st gl 3-2 hearts 550/1
Fiver on lets hope for suhin back, wee scorecast would go down a treat
After seeing the hearts team a will go for 1-1 or 2-1 to hibs
Teams: Hearts – MacDonald, Barr, D McGowan, Zaliukas, McHattie, Driver, Stevenson, Robinson, Taouil, Novikovas, Sutton.
Hibs – Williams, Clancy, McPake, Hanlon, McGivern, Deegan Taiwo, Claros, Cairney, Doyle, Griffiths.
btts?
Chris, not sure to be honest but probably.
Driver Sutton Griffiths all to score
i still like 2-2 each BUT BONKERS BET HIBS 3-1 22/1 LADBROKES.let win some money money.good luck
If its a probable btts, does that mean u fancy over 1.5 now that the lineups r out? cheers
Robbie, should be two goals. It’s a 1-1 or 2-1 Hibs for me.
I like the hibs draw no bet at 13/8 plus I think both teams will score at 4/6
3-1 hearts final prediction. Stronger midfield home fans behind them
Hearts have started better but not made a chance.
I really hope this is not a boring 0-0 game. Nothing worse when you have goalscorers on
Chris, it’s been utter mince, really has. I never see a game as bad as that in the juniors. I warned it could be a low scorer but hoped it wouldn’t be. 0-0 is always a possibility and there’s been a couple recently between Hibs and Hearts. Hopefully something will happen second half to spark it into life.
Chris, 0-0 is now 11-10. Shows you what bookies think is going to happen. Nothing.
If you put bets on at bet365 you’ll get refunded on ht/ft correct score and scorecast, no 1st scorers tho.
Still hopeful of griffiths/hibs
A goal one thinks
Nobody seems to want it much for a derby game! Need a goal to light the game up, as I am writing topper of a miss by Stevenson lol
Hearts look the likely scorers at the min
1plus2, I’d take any goal right now. Has 0-0 written all over it and I hope I’ve now sparked a goal.
Hearts will score here m8 they are looking the most likely as i said 25 mins to go deffo score
1plus2, Hearts have been by far the better side with Hibs playing for a draw but a goal would still surprise me.
Willie Collumm has been to lenient as well so there may even be a penalty watch this space !
Absolute abysmal beyond belief
Coming to life now – here’s to an exciting last ten mins hopefully
Should have scored there
1plus2, decent last 10 minutes and you nearly got your Hearts goal with Sutton but game had 0-0 tag from not long after it started.
Couldn’t write that maye
Mr chris guy – griffiths and Sutton? Now that’s unbelievable hard lines. Both should have scored.
Like i said had draw written all over it ;-)
Came to life near the end but with they two chance with Sutton griffiths, that tells you it’s a draw! All in all tho, poor game tbh! Maybe had to high an expectation for the game.
Seamus, there have been some good ones down the years but Hibs spoiled this one by being too cautious. Felt it was going to be 0-0 from early on as I said. Can’t wait for Walsall v Portsmouth tomorrow!
Couldn’t agree more, but you would think with fire power in griffiths and Doyle they would have went for it, collectively as a team too! Sat to deep and failed on any counter attacks. But fair play too hearts, they where the better team all in all! Bring on the weekend in general – I’m off. No Celtic game to go to unfortunately, so look forward to jeff sterlings patter and a winning coupon too lol
Second half better than first. Thot Hearts were the better team and shuda won but thats the way it goes. Worse still its cup games this weekend :(
Had a small bet on Freamunde in the portuguese second division, 2nd from bottom but 3 wins from the last 5, hit 1O goals in the last 6 games, got 3/1 for them to hit 2 and they got 3 which was 12/1, keep an eye on them guys because the bookies will
Got a doing tonight on btts. Boring game as well.
Never mind, tomorrow is another day.
What does everyone fancy in Walsall Portsmouth game. Tempted with a single bet to win money for weekend
Leigh, I’ll put up some tips later. Portsmouth have gone 12 without a win but will have a few players back who’ve been missing.
Cheers mr F. Thinking of putting last £30 from account on Walsall, would get £55.50 back on hills, would cover bets for Saturday/Sunday
Leigh, I’ll be putting something on Walsall soon. It’s a bit like Hearts v Hibs and certainly not clear-cut. Walsall might shade but again if I wasn’t watching it I wouldn’t have a bet.
Also think your slightly harsh on Hibs Paul, had better clear cut chances than hearts, felt they were more likely to nick it albeit draw seemed likely from 25 mins in. Although I think if they had pushed Doyle up closer to griffiths and played wotherspoon wide right with one of the centre mids dropping out(CLAROS!) think they would have won. Hearts are a poor team
Leigh, as a neutral I don’t agree about Hibs having better chances. The Doyle one is the only one I recall while Stevenson missed from a yard, Holt had one cleared off the line and Sutton hit the bar. That’s 3-1 on clearcut chances.
Griffiths was unlucky near the end when McGowan blocked it, although Sutton hit the bar was unlucky wouldnt class a clear cut chance where u expect him to score
Leigh, we’ll need to disagree to be honest especially if you don’t regard a header from six yards that hits the bar as not a clearcut chance. At the end of the day it was 0-0 and whatever we say won’t change that.