Hearts v Hibernian
Football: Scottish Premier League
Saturday 20th March 2010 - Kick Off 12.15pm

---

Hearts (6th) - Home Record W7 D3 L3
Hibernian (5th) - Away Record W4 D4 L5

---

Hearts were beaten 3-1 last week at Mothwerwell, not the ideal preparation for Saturdays big derby encounter with rival Hibs. Manager Jim Jeffries was outraged at his sides display early in the game as they went 2-0 down early on and eventually went on to lose 3-1 at the in form Fir Park side. Hearts are in 6th position now but only 3 points ahead of St Johnstone who have 2 games in hand and last years third place team now face a battle just to make the top 6 before the split.

However Hearts have been solid enough at Tynecastle and have only conceded 11 goals there and lost only 3 times. But scoring goals has been a big problem for the Jambos with Midfielder Michael Stewart the top scorer with 5 goals and a host of players on only 3 goals. Their cause has not been helped this season with a huge injury list at times, and that list looks very bad for the visit of Hibs.

Hearts have major worries with Michael Stewart, Marius Zaliuskas, Ismael Bouzid, Marian Kello, Ian Black, Ruben Palazeulos, Johnny Stewart and Ryan Wallace all remain out while there are fresh doubts over Jose Concalves and Calum Elliot. Jeffries may be forced to use Andrew Driver, Scott Robinson or Craig Thomson despit all only returning from injury and not being fully fit.

Hibs excellent season took a turn for the worst in recent weeks with them losing 3 important games in the space of one week a few weeks back, including a 5-1 hammering at St Johnstone. A four SPL game run without a win came to an end in their last league meeting when they beat Kilmarnock 1-0 at Easter Road. This run has affected their battle for third spot but they are only 1 point behind Dundee United and Motherwell in fourth and they have 2 games in hand on Motherwell.

Hibs were also forced to a replay in the Scottish Cup Quarter Final after Ross County got a late equaliser at Easter Road last week in a 2-2 draw. Boss John Hughes was disappointed and felt his side should have killed the game off while winning 2-1. They now face a tricky replay on Tuesday night. This is a huge week for the Easter Road club but they will have to do without striker Colin Nish on Saturday who serves the third of a 3 match ban and also Alan Gow and Kevin McCann remain sidelined through injury. John Hughes will be hoping to have Sol Bamba, Merouanne Zemmama and Lewis Stevenson back as the trio missed last weeks cup clash through injury. Bamba and Zemmama in particular would be big losses if they cant play.

HEARTS LAST 5 MATCHES
Motherwell 3-1 Hearts
Dundee United 1-0 Hearts
Aberdeen 0-1 Hearts
Hearts 2-0 Hamilton
Hearts 3-2 Falkirk

HIBERNIAN LAST 5 MATCHES
Hibernian 2-2 Ross County (Scottish Cup)
Hibernian 1-0 Kilmarnock
Hibernian 1-1 St Johnstone
Motherwell 1-0 Hibernian
St Johnstone 5-1 Hibernian

BETTING VERDICT

A low scoring game could be on the cards here, Hearts are missing several players but have been quite good at home while Hibs have been looking a little shaky of late.

The last 11 of these derbies have finished with only 2 or less goals scored. UNDER 2.5 GOALS at 4/6 as main bet.

Also look at one of the sides to win 1-0, available at around 7/1.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take UNDER 2.5 GOALS on this match. (main bet)