Hibs take on St Mirren at Easter Road in their first Premiership clash of the season.
Paul Heckingbottom’s side are in good form ahead of the new league campaign. They have impressed in most of their League Cup group stage matches, coasting safely into the last 16.
Now Heckingbottom will hope they continue that form against a Buddies side who have just been eliminated from the League Cup competition.
Here’s how we think the Hibees’ starting XI at Easter Road will look like.
The starting XI
Chris Maxwell and Ofir Marciano have started two League Cup games each, but it’ll be the latter who’ll be between the sticks against St Mirren.
In the full-back positions will be Steven Whittaker and Tom James respectively.
Central defence will be occupied by the ever-reliable duo of Paul Hanlon and Darren McGregor. The game probably comes too soon for the returning Ryan Porteous.
Daryl Horgan and Joe Newell will be on the right and left flanks. It’ll be a central midfield three, with one player playing as a number ten.
Josh Vela and Stevie Mallan will occupy the two central midfield spots, with Scott Allan playing as the attacking midfielder. He has been in fine form so far this term, scoring two goals on League Cup duty.
Heckingbottom’s big decision is up front. Who does he go for, Florian Kamberi or Christian Doidge?
We think it’ll be the Swiss talisman. He’s looked brilliant in the League Cup clashes, and with Allan behind him, there’s real potential for him to hit top form.
That’s how we think Hibs will start the match. It’ll be a 4-2-3-1 style formation, or it could possibly look more like a 4-4-1-1, depending on how Heckingbottom wants to play his central midfielder options.
Here’s our Hibs starting XI in list form.