Hibs will look to bounce back from their Scottish Cup exit last weekend as they travel to Rugby Park to take on 10th-placed Kilmarnock in the Premiership on Saturday.
Hibs saw their 15-match unbeaten run and their Scottish Cup hopes come to an end last week as they lost 2-0 away at holders Celtic on an afternoon where our man Mark correctly backed Celtic half time/full time.
Nevertheless, David Gray’s visitors are still on a 13-match unbeaten run in the Scottish Premiership, winning nine of those (W9-D4-L0) – including their last three away at Dundee United and at home to Hearts and Celtic – to move them up into third position.
Whilst Hibs have won their last three in the Premiership, Kilmarnock have lost their past three following their 1-0 loss at Ross County last time out, leaving them just six points clear of bottom side St Johnstone.
However, Derek McInnes will be happy to see his side be back on their plastic pitch, with Killie losing just three of their last 13 Premiership matches in front of their supporters, winning four of their past seven (W4-D1-L2).
How the bookies view it: Hibs surprise underdogs
Despite being in the midst of a 13-match unbeaten run in the Scottish top flight, BoyleSports have priced The Hibees at 17/10 to leave Ayrshire with all three points.
The same firm has Kilmarnock at 7/5 to get back to winning ways, whilst the draw is 21/10.
Head to head: Hibs tough opponents for Killie
David Gray’s visitors are unbeaten in each of their previous six meetings with Kilmarnock (W3-D3-L0).
However, the last three at Rugby Park have ended in draws, with Both Teams to Score landing on each occasion.
Players to watch: Boyle to bag again?
Hibernian’s talisman Martin Boyle is their leading scorer in the Premiership with eight goals and scored the opener in their derby win over Hearts in their last league outing.
Young Scottish striker Bobby Wales has had a breakthrough year for Kilmarnock and comes into this match in decent form, with the 19-year-old scoring three goals in his last seven appearances.
Probable line-ups
Kilmarnock will be without defender Stuart Findlay and club captain Kyle Vassell.
Nicky Cadden will miss the match due to a hamstring injury picked up at Celtic Park last week, whilst their club captain Joe Newell will also be absent due to injury.
Kilmarnock: O’Hara, Lyons, Wright, Mayo, Deas, Armstrong, Polworth, Watson, Murray, Watkins, Wales
Hibernian: Smith, Miller, Bushiri, Iredale, Cadden, Moriah-Welsh, Triantis, Campbell, Obita, Bowie, Boyle
Anything else catch the eye?
Goals has been a feature of Hibs’s matches in recent months, with their last 19 Premiership contests averaging 3.16 goals per game, with Both Teams to Score banking in 14 (74%) of them, including in 10 of their previous 13.
Over 2.5 Goals has also paid out in 13 of their previous 18, and whilst Kilmarnock’s home matches haven’t been great for goals, their last two at Rugby Park have produced 10 goals, including a 2-4 loss against Rangers on an evening where both my selections cruised in.
As alluded to above, the last three meetings between the pair have ended score draws, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw a similar outcome in Ayrshire on Saturday.
This Scottish Premiership match between Kilmarnock and Hibernian will be played on and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Kilmarnock vs Hibernian prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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