Hibs welcome Rangers to Easter Road on Saturday afternoon in the last match of their Premiership campaign in what is effectively a dead rubber for both.
David Gray’s visitors raced into a two-goal lead after just 10 minutes in Paisley on Wednesday night, but could only draw 2-2 with St Mirren on an evening where two of my three selections cruised in.
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Nevertheless, that draw, coupled with Aberdeen’s heavy defeat at home to Celtic, ensured that The Hibees sealed third position in the Scottish Premiership table, qualifying them for Europe next season.
Second place has been sealed for months for Rangers in the Premiership this season, but they do travel to the capital off the back of successive home wins over Aberdeen and Dundee United.
On Wednesday night, Barry Ferguson’s men came from a goal down to win 3-1 against Dundee United on an evening where two of my three selections also landed.
How the bookies view it: Another home success for Hibs?
BoyleSports make Rangers 10/11 favourites to make it three victories in the space of a week for the Ibrox side.
The same firm has Hibs as 2/1 underdogs which does look like value, whilst the draw is 11/4.
Head to head: Tight tussles this term
These sides have met three times in the Premiership this season, with both recording a win at Ibrox, whilst they played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in their last clash at Easter Road.
Players to watch: Boyle to bag again?
Hibernian’s talisman, Martin Boyle, is their leading scorer in the Premiership with 14 goals and has scored in seven of his last nine Premiership appearances.
Hamza Igamane has scored 12 goals for Rangers in the Premiership this season, including a memorable hat-trick when the sides last faced off at Easter Road.
Probable line-ups
Hibs are once again expected to be without club captain Joe Newell and on-loan Celtic midfielder Kwon Hyeok-Kyu.
Rangers will once again be without defenders Ridvan Yilmaz, Rafael Fernandes and Dujon Sterling, as well as Romanian Ianis Hagi.
Hibernian: Smith, Miller, Bushiri, Iredale, Cadden, Levitt, Triantis, Obita, Campbell, Kukharevych, Boyle
Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Balogun, Souttar, Jefte, Raskin, Barron, Diomande, Cerny, Igamane, Dessers
Anything else catch the eye?
As alluded to above, these two sides played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in their last clash at Easter Road, and whilst this is a dead rubber for both, I’m still expecting plenty of entertainment.
The Teddy Bears’ previous 12 Premiership matches on the road have averaged a whopping 4.33 goals per game, with Over 2.5 Goals landing in 11 (92%) of them, whilst each of the last 11 have produced goals at both ends.
The Hibees’ last 12 Premiership encounters at Easter Road have averaged an eye-catching 3.58 goals per game, with Over 2.5 Goals paying out in nine (75%) of them, whilst 11 of their last 15 have seen both teams get on the scoresheet.
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