PRESSURE is already mounting on Hibs boss Shaun Maloney and he could hardly have handpicked a bigger potential banana skin than a trip to gusty Gayfield in the middle of February.
Hibs travel to Championship shock troops Arbroath with a place in the Scottish Cup quarter-final at stake with a mounting crisis building in Leith.
They've now gone seven games without a win in 90 minutes – they did beat League One side Cove Rangers after extra time, but that was hardly convincing.
Maloney appears to be incapable of filling a giant Martin Boyle-size hole since his £3million departure to Saudi Arabia and there is a growing belief the former Belgium No.2 is Hibs' answer to the Ian Cathro experiment at Hearts.
They meet Dick Campbell's men who have lost just one game in 17 matches and were last defeated at Fortress Gayfield in July on the first day of the season.
It's never anything other than horrid weather-wise at the notorious Baltic outpost on the edge of the North Sea and Hibs will need all their wits about them if they aren't to be on the end of a Cup exit.
How the bookies view it
Hibs are still favourites and can be backed at odds-against at 23/20 with William Hill. The Red Lichties could see plenty of interest with Boylesports' 11/4 price, while the draw is 11/5 with McBookie.com.
Recent head to heads
Hibs haven't visited Gayfield since 1977 and haven't been in the same league as Arbroath since two years previous to that. The sides played three years ago in the League Cup and Hibs won 3-0.
Here's a taste of what Hibs can expect as Arbroath's recent win against Kilmarnock showed below.
Players to watch
Jack Hamilton should arguably be playing at a higher level, but seems content at Arbroath. He scored a hat-trick in the last round against non-league Darvel and is on five goals in his last four games.
Kevin Nisbet is going through a difficult time for Hibs, with fans not happy at his contribution this term. The Scotland squad member has still got eight goals for the season and is due a goal having gone through a five-game drought.
Anything else catch the eye?
Hibs are just too flaky to back. Their fans are being driven demented by Maloney's insistence on passing from side to side and they lack attacking penetration.
If Hibs maintain their passing-from-the-back mantra at Gayfield, it's car-crash football waiting to happen.
Arbroath just don't know when they are beaten and the 8/11 for the double chance of the draw and the home win with McBookie.com looks a decent insurance cover in case they don't quite get over the line.
Hibs are also struggling defensively at the moment and Arbroath will be on them from kick off against a team lacking in confidence, They are 13/8 to score in the first half with bet365 and they could stun Hibs early.
This Scottish Cup match between Arbroath and Hibernian will be played on Feb 13, 2022 and kick off at 12:30. Check below for our tipsters best Arbroath vs Hibernian prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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