- Hibs have won two of their last three home head-to-heads but Hearts took the last one 2-1 four months ago.
- Hibs come into this one after a 1-0 win, 0-0 draw and 2-3 defeat, so their edge as European participants has been blunt.
- Hearts come into this game unbeaten in five with three wins and two draws, including a 1-1 away draw and penalty shootout win over SK Rapid Wien.
Tight, tactical derby at Easter Road
Hibs will host the Jambos in an Edinburgh derby where bragging rights and early-season momentum are on the line at Easter Road this Thursday.
David Gray's side have had a busy start to the season with a 1-0 win over Partick Thistle in the Premiership coming before a 0-0 away draw and 2-3 home defeat to KAA Gent in UEFA Europa Conference League group stage.
The Edinburgh club's form is now 2-2-1 over the last five and they currently sit 7th in the 2026-2027 table with three points from two games, while Hearts have the same tally from two, having lost their only away Premiership game.
Hearts have a better form line coming into this, however, as Wouter Vrancken's side are unbeaten in their last five with two draws and three wins. The one away game from that run finished as a 1-1 draw away to SK Rapid Wien, before Hearts won on penalties to move into the next round.
The Jambos play at a higher tempo than Hibs and they have the vertical edge of the two teams, with Vrancken's men looking to force turnovers and flood the box with numbers.
Hibs will be more likely to hunt counters with their wide overloads and quick transitions, with Gray setting up in a compact back three and wing-backs formation.
The hosts should make it interesting at the very least and I don't think there's too much between these two sides as Hibs are 31/20 favourites over Hearts' 33/20, with the draw priced at 13/5.
Hibs have the better of the recent head-to-head record at home with two wins in the last three, but Hearts' win last time out was away from home and I think a 1-1 correct score selection looks a good way to play this one.
Under 2.5 goals at 97/100 is a good fit for this fixture too, as it fits the current patterns of both sides who look prone to conceding but are also capable of keeping things tight when necessary.
