Hibs welcome Partick Thistle to Easter Road in a clash vital to both team’s hopes of avoiding the dreaded Scottish Premiership relegation play off against the Championship runners up.
Both sides are equal on points heading into the match with Hibs slightly superior goal difference seeing them sitting in 8th with the visitors in tenth spot.
With only two points separating 5 teams at the wrong end of the table both sides know a victory will significantly boost their chances of survival.
Hibs appear to be in a state of disarray and following last weekend’s 2-1 home loss to Hearts have lost six on the bounce in the league and have picked up only two victories in the SPL this calendar year.
Thistle meanwhile have picked up 4 points in their last 2 matches – defeating Kilmarnock at Rugby Park then drawing 1-1 with St Mirren last Friday.
Vital Quotes:
Terry Butcher – ‘Normally if you lose a derby match it is all doom and gloom but I didn’t see it that way.
‘The way we played gives us great hope and optimism starting for the final three games.
‘There were lots of bright spells against Hearts, the second half in particular when it was just wave after wave of attack. How we didn’t get anything from the game I don’t know.
‘But at least we got a goal and we certainly got stuck in. The foul count was two to one in our favour, which is what our crowd wants.
‘The way things have been going, any chink of light we have to grab hold of and nurture. In the sea of despondency a lot of people say we are in, but I don’t, it certainly gives us optimism.’
Hibernian Team News:
Hibs could welcome James McPake back to the starting line up with Jordan Forster suspended for the visit of the Jags.
Scott Robertson and Kevin Thomson should continue in the centre of the park after Terry Butcher admitted he was impressed with the pair last week.
Two Paul’s – Heffernan and Hanlon are both ruled out for the season through injury.
Player to watch: Alex Harris
Youngster showed glimpses of the form he is capable of in last weekend’s Edinburgh Derby having largely failed to impressed since his return from long term injury.
A potential match winner should he continue his recent improvement.
Partick Thistle Team News:
Thistle are without any major injury concerns for the trip to Easter Road.
Player to watch: Kallum Higginbotham
The ex Falkirk player signed a two year deal at Firhill in the summer and the wide man has chipped in with 7 goals so far this season and when on form can cause any side problems.
Match Facts & Stats
Honours are even between the sides so far this season with a win and a draw apiece.
Hibs had a fortunate 1-0 win at Firhill back in October courtesy of a fine Liam Craig sides before the two shared a one each draw at Easter Road exactly a month later.
The return match in Glasgow saw Thistle run out comfortable 3-1 winners back in March which remarkably was Hibs last goal scored prior to Jordan Forster netting against Hearts last week.
George Best also made his home debut for Hibs back in December 1979 against Thistle with the Hibees recording a 2-1 victory over the Glasgow side.
Match Prediction:
A must win clash for both times but surely it’s about time put an end to this woeful run of form.
A nervy 1-0 home victory is on the cards.
Next Fixtures:
Hibs travel to Ross County to face the Dingwall outfit on Tuesday night – kick off is 7:45pm
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