Hibernian vs Hearts Predictions

• Over 2.5 goals have been scored in three of Hibs’ last four home Premiership games
• Over 2.5 goals have been scored in Hearts’ last five league matches
• Both teams have scored in five of the last six Edinburgh derbies

In-form sides clash at Easter Road

Two in-form Scottish Premiership clubs clash on Sunday when visitors Hearts will attempt to reel in city rivals Hibernian in the third Edinburgh Derby of the season. The last time these sides met at Easter Road at the end of October, they occupied the two bottom places in the table.

But both are now in the top six and vying with Aberdeen and Dundee United for third spot. Sixth-placed Hearts overcame the disappointment of a 2-1 Boxing Day derby defeat at Tynecastle and have won six and drawn two of their next nine league games.

Neil Critchley’s men will fancy their chances of putting a dent in Hibs’ 14-match unbeaten run and closing the gap to their fourth-placed rivals. The underlying stats from the nine league games each club has played since the last meeting suggest there is nothing between them in terms of defence and attack.

Potent attacks should see both teams score 

Hibs have won five and drawn four of their subsequent Premiership matches against clubs that had an average league placing of 5.88 while Hearts’ six wins and two draws have come against teams with an average placing of 6.67. David Gray’s side scored 16 goals and conceded eight while Critchley’s men scored 19 and shipped only seven.

Both teams are now outpacing the Old Firm in terms of shot conversion rate since their last clash, which suggests we could see the rare occurrence of a high-scoring Edinburgh derby. Hibs scored 18% of their shots, and almost 16% of Hearts’ efforts hit the back of the net, so there is a good chance of goals at both ends on Sunday.

The odds for over 2.5 goals being scored look the tastiest of all on offer here with Hibs just favoured to repeat their 2-1 victory from Boxing Day and fit-again striker Kieron Bowie worth siding with as an anytime goalscorer after his sharp displays in the last couple of weeks.