Neither Hearts or Hibs would have been expecting to head into the first Edinburgh derby of the season as the league’s bottom two.
At least, from a Jambos point of view, they know they’re not the ones right at the bottom after managing to leapfrog their rivals with victory over St Mirren last weekend.
And after a terrific Europa Conference League win over Omonoia on Thursday, that makes them the team with plenty of momentum going into the capital clash. As we know in these games though, it could mean nothing on the day.
Neil Critchley was beaming ear to ear after disposing of the Cypriot outfit and he’ll make himself a Hearts hero after only a few games in the job if victory can be secured in Leith.
Critchley doesn’t appear to have any fresh selection headaches going into derby. Midfielder Beni Baningime was ill so missed the Euro win but could be back in the starting XI.
Changes will be expected though given the short turnaround with the likes of Daniel Oyegoke, James Penrice and Yan Dhanda predicted to come back into the fold.
Here’s Not The Old Firm’s predicted Hearts XI:
Hearts predicted XI to face Hibs
GK – Craig Gordon
RB – Daniel Oyegoke
CB – Frankie Kent
CB – Kye Rowles
LB – James Penrice
CM – Beni Baningime
CM – Malachi Boateng
LW – Blair Spittal
RW – Alan Forrest
ST – Kenneth Vargas
ST – Lawrence Shankland
Hibs predicted XI for Hearts meeting
As for Hibs, David Gray insists the initial disappointment after their collapse against Dundee United has morphed into a determination to put things right at Easter Road on Sunday.
He says training had more of an edge to it than normal with players fighting to earn starting jerseys against the Jambos.
Hibs have Nectar Triantis back available after his suspension but Joe Newell replaces him on the sidelines after his own red card against the Arabs.
Chris and Nicky Cadden are both doubts for the Hearts encounter but Gray did not rule them out entirely.
Here’s Not The Old Firm’s predicted Hibs XI:
GK – Josef Bursik
RB – Lewis Miller
CB – Marvin Ekpiteta
CB – Warren O’Hora
LB – Jordan Obita
CM – Kwon Hyeok-kyu
CM – Nectar Triantis
CAM – Josh Campbell
RW – Martin Boyle
LW – Junior Hoilett
ST – Dwight Gayle