PAUL HECKINGBOTTOM did a sterling job last season after taking over from Neil Lennon, steering Hibs into the top six and transforming morale.
Their form tailed off after the league split, drawing two and losing three of their five fixtures, but the Hibees should push on in the new campaign.
As well as fighting for Europe, Heckingbottom will be targeting some silverware and victory at Elgin will seal a place in the League Cup last 16.
Hibs were handed a kind draw as the only Premiership side in Group C but didn't get off to the best of starts, drawing 1-1 at Stirling before claiming the bonus point with a shoot-out triumph.
They have picked up since then, beating Alloa 2-0 at Easter Road then defeating Arbroath 3-0 in the capital, and should have little trouble seeing off League Two Elgin.
These sides faced off in the Scottish Cup back in January and it ended in a 4-0 victory for the Edinburgh side, even though that game was held at Easter Road.
I don't think this game will be quite so comfortable as Elgin have been pretty impressive so far in the group. Only a last-minute goal saw them lose 2-1 at Arbroath in the opener and they then held Alloa to a 3-3 draw before winning the shootout.
In their last outing City thrashed Stirling 3-0, leaving them just a point behind second-placed Arbroath and only three behind Hibs.
A shock victory here would probably be enough to guarantee a place in the last 16 as one of the best-placed runners up at least but I can't see that happening.
Elgin have scored in every game so far so the smart bet might be a Hibs win with both teams to score, which is 8/5 with Bet365.
Winger Daryl Horgan scored twice in that Scottish Cup win last season so try backing the Irishman again here. He's 19/10 with William Hill for anytime scorer.
Playmaker Scott Allan has eased back into the Hibs side after completing his move from Celtic and has scored two penalties already in the group. The midfielder is another decent option for anytime scorer at 27/10 with William Hill.
Elgin hitman Zander Sutherland has started the season on fire and boasts four goals from three games. If City grab a goal then it's likely to come from him and he's 23/10 with William Hill for anytime scorer.
Willie Collum is our referee and the whistler loves to flash the cards about. That makes over 2.5 cards appealing at 4/7 with Bet365 while a sending off is 6/1 with Skybet.
William Hill are also offering 6/5 on over 2 Hibs corners in each half and that looks a decent option given they should be attacking for most of the game.
This Scottish League Cup match between Elgin City and Hibernian will be played on Jul 26, 2019 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Elgin City vs Hibernian prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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