Two teams at opposite ends of the Scottish Premiership standings will clash on Saturday afternoon as relegation-battling Kilmarnock host high-flying Hibernian at Rugby Park.
The hosts are 10th in the league table, just three points above relegation, while the visitors are third in the standings, seven points above seventh-placed Hearts.
Match preview
© Imago
Kilmarnock are enduring an extremely disappointing 2024-25 season in comparison to the heights they reached in 2023-24, dropping from a fourth-placed finish last term to battling against relegation this time around.
Derek McInnes's side have only managed eight victories and seven draws from 29 league matches, alongside 14 defeats, leaving them 10th in the table with 31 points.
Killie, as a result, narrowly sit just three points above 11th-placed Dundee in the relegation playoff spot, though they are only six points adrift of the top six.
McInnes will be eager for his side to end their current three-game losing streak with a victory, aiming to move further away from the drop zone, but Killie have struggled in this fixture in recent years.
Hibernian have won three and drawn three of the last six meetings between these two sides, including a 1-0 victory in December 2024, leaving the visitors as strong favourites on Saturday.
Hibs also enter this match as favorites thanks to an impressive 15-match unbeaten run under Andy Gray, though that streak ended with a 2-0 loss to Celtic in the Scottish FA Cup last time out.
Gray will be looking for his men to bounce back from that defeat, aiming to avoid slipping into the early season form that saw Hibs win only two of their first 16 league games.
Those results left Hibernian rock bottom of the table after 16 matchdays, but their incredible run has seen them impressively climb into third place, with 43 points from 11 wins, 10 draws and eight losses.
A victory for Hibs could see them strengthen their position inside the top six, currently holding a seven point lead over seventh-placed Hearts, while a defeat could see them drop to fifth depending on results elsewhere.
Team News
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The hosts will remain without the services of Kyle Vassell (shin) and Stuart Findlay (ankle) due to ongoing injury issues, Kyle Magennis is also a doubt after coming off with an injury in the recent defeat to Dundee.
Bobby Wales has been a standout performer for Killie in recent outings, including netting three goals in his last seven appearances, and the forward is likely to start here.
As for Hibernian, Joe Newell has been out of the side since late February due to a groin injury, and the midfielder is not expected to return to action until later this month.
Nicky Cadden may also miss out after coming off after 35 minutes against Celtic with a suspected hamstring issue, meaning Jordan Obita may come into the starting team.
Elsewhere, despite the defeat to Celtic last time out, Gray may decide to name a similar side in this match after Hibs remained unbeaten in the prior 15 outings.
Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
O'Hara; Wright, Mayo, Deas, Ndaba; Armstrong, Lyons, Polworth, Murray; Watkins, Wales
Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Smith; Miller, Kiranga, Iredale; Cadden, Triantis, Moriah-Welsh, Obita; Campbell; Boyle, Bowie
We say: Kilmarnock 1-3 Hibernian
Kilmarnock are enduring a difficult period heading into this match, while Hibs have been extremely impressive in the past months, leading us to expect a comfortable victory for the visitors.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
