Hibernian and Dundee United, both aiming to bounce back from defeats on the opening matchday of the post-split Scottish Premiership season, will clash at Easter Road Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts are third in the league standings with 53 points from 34 games, while the visitors are fifth in the table with 50 points from their 34 league outings.
Match preview
© Imago
Hibernian's 2024-25 season can be split into two extremely distinct phases, enduring a miserable opening to the campaign before experiencing a remarkable second half of the term.
Hibs managed only two victories and six draws from their first 16 league fixtures, leaving them at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table, before a sensational turnaround saw them go unbeaten in the following 17 league outings, with 12 wins and five draws.
Those results saw David Gray's side climb to an eventual third-placed finish in the pre-split table, and Hibernian are now aiming to secure their European place for next season.
However, their unbeaten run came to a disappointing end in their opening post-split fixture, losing 1-0 to Aberdeen, leaving Hibs only ahead of the Dons on goal difference, while they hold just a three point lead over fifth-placed Dundee Utd.
With just four matches remaining, Gray will be desperate for his side to immediately bounce back and secure a string of positive results, aiming to secure third spot and book their place in the Europa League.
Their opponents, Dundee Utd, are similarly aiming to bounce back from a defeat in the opening round of the post-split matches, having been humiliated 5-0 by Celtic.
The Tangerines have enjoyed a largely superb 2024-25 season, having secured a top half finish in their first season back in the Scottish Premiership after earning their promotion from the second division last term.
Jim Goodwin's men are now aiming to go one step further, looking to secure their place in European football for just the second time in the last 12 years, though they have not qualified for the group stage of a European competition since the UEFA Cup in 1993-94.
A defeat to Celtic last time out, while Aberdeen defeated Hibs, meant Dundee Utd have fallen out of the European places, but the Tangerines trail third and fourth by just three points.
A victory on Saturday would see the visitors move onto level points with their hosts, though Hibs would stay ahead on goal difference, but history suggests this one could end all square, with all of the last three meetings at Easter Road Stadium ending in draws.
Team News
![Jim Goodwin (Manager) of Dundee United during the 2024/25 Pre Season Friendly match between Dundee United and Luton Town at CalForth Construction Arena, Tannadice Park, Scotland on 26 July 2024 [on August 2, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/31/jim-goodwin.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Jim Goodwin (Manager) of Dundee United during the 2024/25 Pre Season Friendly match between Dundee United and Luton Town at CalForth Construction Arena, Tannadice Park, Scotland on 26 July 2024 [on August 2, 2024]")
© Imago
Hibernian will be without the services of Hyeok-Kyu Kwon (ankle), Joe Newell (groin) and Thody Elie Youan (toe) due to ongoing injury issues, while the rest of the squad should be available for selection.
Despite their recent 1-0 defeat to Aberdeen, which ended a 17-match unbeaten run, Gray may decide to name a largely unchanged starting 11, giving the team an opportunity to bounce back.
As for the visitors, Luca Stephenson is ruled out until later this month due to a hernia, but the midfielder is expected to be the only absentee due to injury.
Following the crushing 5-0 defeat to Celtic last time out, Goodwin could make several changes to his starting side for this one, meaning the likes of Declan Gallagher, David Babunski and Kristijan Trapanovski could start.
Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Smith; O'Hora, Kiranga, Iredale; Cadden, Triantis, Levitt, Obita; Campbell; Boyle, Bowie
Dundee United possible starting lineup:
Walton; Strain, Adegboyega, Gallagher, Ferry; Trapanovski, Docherty, Babunski, Middleton; Sibbald; Dalby
We say: Hibernian 1-1 Dundee United
Four of the last five meetings between these teams at Easter Road Stadium have ended in stalemates, including all of the last three clashes, leading us to expect another draw here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
