Predicted Hearts XI ahead of crunch Hibs clash

Hearts take on Hibs in the Scottish Premiership on Tuesday evening and have the chance to lift themselves off the bottom of the table with a win.

Daniel Stendel’s side can leapfrog Hamilton by getting three points against their local rivals at Easter Road.

Hibs have been going well under Jack Ross and are unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions having scored 15 goals in the process.

Stendel is looking for his first win over Hibs (Photo by Ewan Bootman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

By contrast, Hearts have been struggling, although a Scottish Cup victory over Rangers on Friday will no doubt have lifted spirits around Tynecastle.

It’s one win each in the two previous meetings between the teams this season and Stendel will be desperate to take three points here.

Here’s how the German could set his side up against the Hibees:

4-4-1-1

Goalkeeper – Pereira

Joel Pereira, on loan from Manchester United, has clocked up 25 appearances so far and could feature once more between the sticks.

Defence – Clare, Halkett, Dikamona, Hickey

With John Souttar having sustained an Achilles injury, a change will be required in the Hearts backline.

Souttar is injured for the foreseeable future (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

Clevid Dikamona should come in to partner Craig Halkett at centre-half, having impressed after coming on to replace Souttar against Rangers.

Midfield – Walker, Irving, Damour, Bozanic

Damour was energetic and tenacious during the 1-0 win over Rangers and would be hard done by to lose his place in central midfield.

The Frenchman could pair with Andy Irving in the engine room, with support from Saturday’s matchwinner Oliver Bozanic and Jamie Walker, who will be fresh after making only a one-minute cameo against the Gers.

Attack – Naismith, Boyce

Stendel has tended to use Steven Naismith just in behind Liam Boyce, and it’s a combination that could pose some problems for a Hibs defence that certainly isn’t as strong as their attack.