Hibs v Hearts team news and line-ups: TV coverage, Stephane Omeonga to start? Same XI from Daniel Stendel?

A look ahead to the third Edinburgh derby of the season

The third Edinburgh derby of the season takes place at Easter Road on Tuesday night (7.45pm ko).

Extra spice is added to the fixture, not that it needed any, with Hearts and Hibs being drawn together in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

It means the league encounter is relegated to a mere precursor, albeit one with plenty at stake.

Hibs host Hearts in the third Edinburgh derby of the season. Picture: SNS

Take the home side for instance. Jack Ross has steered the team into European contention after taking over from Paul Heckingbottom. He has suffered five defeats in his 19 games, but three of those came at the hands of the Old Firm.

Outside the Glasgow duo, no team has scored more goals in the Ladbrokes Premiership, while in four Scottish Cup games they have banged in 15. There is an attacking verve coursing through the Hibs team, from Greg Docherty’s midfield influence to the sheer speed of Martin Boyle, like the road runner has had Red Bull injected straight into his bloodstream. They also have two strikers in good form, Christian Doidge and Marc McNulty, with a playmaker in Scott Allan to feed them.

With positive noises coming from owner Ron Gordon, there is a good feeling at Easter Road.

Across in EH11, up until 5.30pm on Saturday, it was all very much doom and gloom. The team are bottom of the league, two points adrift of 11th-place Hamilton and six behind St Mirren in tenth.

There were, however, signs of life at the weekend when Daniel Stendel led his side to victory over Rangers in the Scottish Cup quarter-final. Not only did Hearts deserve the victory, they did so by keeping a clean sheet, something of a rarity in league – just four all season.

The last time Rangers were defeated the turning point many thought had arrived didn’t materialise. The next week or so is crucial in the club’s chances of survival with Motherwell and St Mirren following the derby.

Hibs team news: Joe Newell remains a doubt after missing the last two fixtures. Stevie Mallan has resumed light training but is not close to a first-team return. Ryan Porteous is a long-term absentee.

Possible Hibs XI: Marciano; McGinn, Jackson, Hanlon; Boyle, Docherty, Omeonga, Stevenson; Allan; McNulty, Doidge.

Hearts team news: Toby Sibbick, who was in attendance at Tynecastle on Saturday, remains a doubt. Liam Boyce was a late substitute and could take the place of Conor Washington. John Souttar has been ruled out for the season, while Peter Haring remains out.

Possible Hearts XI: Zlamal; Smith, Halkett, Dikamona, Hickey; Clare, Bozanic, Damour, Moore; Naismith; Boyce.

Key clash: A lot of Hearts fans will be looking at the pace of Martin Boyle with concern. The Australian international has been playing as a wing-back on the right and has been a constant danger. His speed will pose a real threat if the visitors push up too high and leave too much space in behind. Teenager Aaron Hickey shackled James Forrest in a Scottish Cup final as a 16-year-old, but this could be his toughest test yet.

Last meeting: Boyle was the hero on Boxing Day, his two first-half goals securing Hibs a deserved win at Tynecastle, their second in a row in Gorgie.

Match details: Tuesday, 3 March. Easter Road, Edinburgh. Kick-off 7.45pm. The match will be shown live on BT Sport 1/BT Sport Ultimate, the programme starts at 7pm. Hearts have sold out their allocation. Tickets for the home end are available on the Hibs website.

Referee: Kevin Clancy (14 Ladbrokes Premiership matches – 52 yellow cards, five red cards) – Five of the referee’s 14 league matches have involved either Hearts or Hibs. Clancy’s previous Edinburgh derby was last season when he officiated Hearts’ 1-0 win at Easter Road in December 2018.

Odds: Hibs 5/4 Draw 23/10 Hearts 11/5