Kicking off 2023 with a fiercely-fought Edinburgh derby, high-flying Hearts host old rivals Hibernian at Tynecastle on Monday afternoon.
Leading the battle for the Scottish Premiership's 'best of the rest' behind the Old Firm clubs, Hearts beat St Johnstone in midweek; meanwhile, Hibs were thumped by Celtic to fall five points adrift of their neighbours.
Match preview
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Making it seven points from a possible nine since returning from the World Cup break, Hearts recovered from letting a two-goal lead slip to edge out St Johnstone 3-2 in an entertaining encounter at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday.
After in-form skipper Lawrence Shankland put the Jambos ahead from the spot and Alan Forrest struck in the 33rd minute, it seemed that victory was all but assured, but it took substitute Barrie McKay's intervention to ultimately secure the win.
Robbie Neilson's side therefore occupy third spot in the Scottish Premiership table; holding a three-point advantage over fourth-placed Aberdeen, who have played a game more.
With Celtic and Rangers disappearing into the distance, winning the race to finish behind the Glasgow giants would secure guaranteed European football next term, after Hearts exited the Europa Conference League at the group stage this season.
Beating their most bitter foes to start the New Year in style would not only help in that regard, but also avenge their late lapse when the capital city clubs last met, back in August.
On that occasion, Martin Boyle's stoppage-time equaliser stole a 1-1 draw for Hibs at Easter Road, so Hearts will be eager to build more momentum at their rivals' expense and deepen the woes of former Jambos player, Lee Johnson.
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A run of eight defeats from 10 league matches has put Johnson's future at Hibernian in some jeopardy over recent weeks, and any light at the end of the tunnel following a 4-0 win on Christmas Eve was soon blotted out by a rampant Celtic side on Wednesday.
Two goals in both halves saw the champions consign Hibs to yet another defeat; cancelling out their impressive result against Livingston.
Entering 2023 sitting eighth in the Premiership standings, ahead of their trip to Tynecastle the Leith side are without a derby victory in seven attempts.
While Johnson's priority may be to avoid another chastening loss on Monday, they are now five points adrift of their arch-rivals, having also played a game more. Therefore, the 3,000 Hibees to have secured tickets will expect their team to go for the win.
The former Sunderland manager's first Edinburgh derby may have ended level thanks to Boyle's last-gasp heroics, but his side have won only twice on the road this term to date and they now tackle one of their toughest tests of the campaign with confidence at a low.
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A lengthy injury list has started to ease at Hearts ahead of the derby, after several players missed the trip to St Johnstone - including captain Craig Gordon, who recently suffered a broken leg. Once again, Zander Clark will be the hosts' last line of defence in the veteran goalkeeper's absence.
Stephen Humphrys should be available after an ankle problem and Stephen Kingsley could return from concussion; Craig Halkett's inclusion remains in doubt, so Toby Sibbick should continue in the back three.
Up front, Lawrence Shankland has now netted four times since the World Cup break - increasing his tally to 13 goals so far this season - and will partner ex-Walsall striker Josh Ginnelly.
Meanwhile, the participation of Hibs striker Mykola Kukharevych is still in the balance, and the Ukrainian has yet to make an appearance since Premiership action resumed in mid-December. The visitors will certainly be missing Ryan Porteous through suspension.
Jake Doyle-Hayes and Lewis Miller are set to be sidelined for the visitors due to injury, but having come off the bench twice following his return to the squad, the vastly experienced Aiden McGeady could even be ready to start.
French forward Elie Youan should again support Kevin Nisbet in attack, with Kyle Magennis also likely to feature.
Hearts possible starting lineup:
Clark; Sibbick, Rowles, Cochrane; Smith, Devlin, Snodgrass, Halliday; Ginnelly, Shankland, McKay
Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Marshall; Cadden, Bushiri, Hanlon, Stevenson; Newell, Campbell; Magennis, McGeady, Youan; Nisbet
We say: Hearts 2-1 Hibernian
Neither side have proved able to keep the back door shut for long this season, so a frenetic Edinburgh derby is likely to end with both teams on the scoresheet. With home advantage and recent form in their favour, it is Hearts who are set to shade it though - pulling further clear of Hibs in the table.
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