Two of the biggest names in Scottish football meet on Tuesday night for the first Edinburgh Derby of the season at Easter Road. Both teams are famed for their distain towards one and other and after a few seasons in the doldrums, it promises to be a real ding-dong battle in a hostile atmosphere.
Scotland – Betfred Cup – Hampden Park, Glasgow – Saturday 21st October – 12:15 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 21/10 at Betfair |
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Hibernian
HeartsHibernian
Neil Lennon’s men sit in a comfortable 6th place in the SPFL with 13 points to their name from their opening 9 games. Consistency has been the issue for Hibs with 3 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses to their name since their promotion back to the top division in Scottish football. Anthony Stokes has provided 4 of their 14 league goals this term and how he’d dearly love to score against arch rivals Hearts here.
Hearts
Craig Levein was brought in to the steady the ship earlier this season following the departure of Ian Cathro. Their only defeat since Levein’s arrival was a 2-1 turnover at Dundee in September and they claimed their first away win of the campaign last time out against Ross County. Despite their troubled start to the season, Hearts only sit one point and one place behind Hibs in 7th place. Kyle Lafferty looks to have put his off field problems behind him and has notched 3 goals for Hearts already this season.
Head to Head
One of the bitterest rivalries in British football will be re-ignited on Tuesday with Hearts holding a dominant lead in the head to head record between the two sides. Hearts have recorded 138 wins to Hibernian’s 82 with another 92 draws taking place between the Edinburgh rivals. Hibernian belied their lower league status last term by beating Hearts 3-1 in a Scottish FA Cup replay at Easter Road after the first game at Tynecastle ended in a 0-0 stalemate. Jason Cummings, Grant Holt and Andrew Shinnie were the heroes as Hibs progressed to the semi-finals.
Odds and Predictions
This should be a phenomenal atmosphere with both teams looking to get the city’s bragging rights.
Both teams to score – YES – is a solid punt at 4/7 with Bet 365.
Anthony Stokes has made a heroes return to Hibs and would love to score against the old enemy.
Anthony Stokes to score anytime looks good value at 17/10 with Paddy Power.
The atmosphere in derby games can get the better of some players and tensions can boil over.
A red card in the match is a shrewd punt at 5/2 with William Hill.
Both teams could even each other out in such a high profile match.
The match to finish as a draw looks a sensible bet at 5/2 with Sporting Bet.
Score Prediction
Hibernian 1 – 1 Hearts – 6/1 with Bet Victor.
Top Betting Tip
This is the first SPFL Edinburgh Derby for 3 seasons and it promises to be a fire-cracker between two evenly matched teams.
The match to end as a draw and both teams to score is a good bet at 3/1 with Betfair.