Hibernian v Hearts
Sunday 23rd September 1500hrs
Football – Scotland – Premiership
Pick Under 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Marathonbet
Odds: 24/25 (odds taken 16.00 GMT, Saturday 21 September)
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7/5 | 47/20 | 9/5 |
* (Betting Odds were taken from 22Bet on September 21, 2019 at 16.00)
It’s been a long time since both Edinburgh teams were in the bottom three going into a derby but that’s the situation on Sunday. Hibernian will be looking to make home advantage count as arch rivals Hearts visit.
Scottish Premiership Betting at Marathonbet
Hibernian Preview – Can Hibs record just second win of the season and put some of their troubles behind them?
There was a lot of optimism surrounding Hibs during the summer with Paul Heckingbottom backed in the transfer market. Having arrived just over halfway through last season, the former Barnsley and Leeds boss had time to assess his squad and performances (in the main) during that time were positive. An underwhelming League Cup group stage and slow start to the league season has put Heckinbottom under pressure coming into this first derby of the season. Hibs have won just one of their five Premiership games so far and that came on the opening day of the season. Even that was a scrap past St Mirren but they have not been able to follow it up with another victory.
A 6-1 thrashing away to Rangers was followed by a home draw against St Johnston in a game where they conceded with virtually the last kick of the ball. That match was the last time they scored a goal – losing 3-0 to Motherwell and then 2-0 to Kilmarnock last weekend. Both of those games have come on their travels and it’s away from home where they have really struggled. It may be very early in the season but Heckingbottom knows the dangers. He needs a result tomorrow and will be hoping a return to Easter Road ignites their season.
Hearts Preview – Will Hearts record first win of the season and lift themselves off the bottom of the table?
For all the problems Hibs have at the moment they are still in a better position than their rivals. Hearts have been deplorable this season and manager Craig Levein has come in for a lot of criticism. Despite the fans frustration the Hearts owner has come out in support of her manager this week. There are legitimate concerns around how Hearts are performing and the results they have gotten in 2019. It’s now just four wins in 22 league games this calendar year. For a squad that is one of the biggest and most expensively assembled (outside of Celtic and Rangers, it’s not good enough. It’s unlikely that the result on Sunday will dictate Levein’s future but the situation will have to improve.
Last weekend’s defeat at home to Motherwell was the second time Hearts have managed to score twice at home but taken just a point from those games. Conceding five goals in those games is indicative of where the problems lie for the Tynecastle club. It’s one clean sheet in five and 11 conceded for a club who are regarded as being well organised. If they are to get a result on Sunday then they will have to defend much better.
Key-Facts – Hibernian v Hearts
- Paul Heckinbottom has come under severe pressure for Hibs bad start to the season and desperately needs a result to get the support on side
- Hearts currently sit bottom of the table and are still searching for their first league win of the season
- 13 of the last 16 Edinburgh derbies have ended with under 2.5 goals
Hibernian v Hearts Betting Advice
These derby games are rarely pretty affairs. The pace in which the games are played at often means quality is at premium and they are low-scoring as well. The last 16 meetings between the clubs have seen only three of them have three or more goals scored in them. Sunday’s game is not likely to be much different, even account for Hearts’ defensive problems. Neither team is playing with any confidence and the visitors will almost certainly set up in a way that looks to protect that fragile back line.
Hibs know the onus is on them to attack due to having home advantage and they do perform better at Easter Road. I would not have any faith in either team getting the win, however, and happy to go for under 2.5 goals which has been a winning bet so often in recent years in the Edinburgh derby.
