'Far from plain sailing for the Hibees': Journalists' predictions for Hibs v Hamilton Accies
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Joel Sked
Normally you see home to Accies as an ideal opportunity to get three points on the board. However, it looks far from plain sailing for the Hibees on Wednesday night. The visitors have a relatively settled XI, have been playing with confidence, recording positive results either side of the winter break, while they are set to be boosted by the return of goalkeeper Luke Southwood. Conversely, Hibs have injury issues with Jason Naismith out for the season and Ryan Porteous likely to miss this one. That being said, the crowd will be lifted with the presence of Stephane Omeonga, and on paper Hibs are better. Prediction: Narrow home win
Craig Fowler
Hamilton Accies taking care of business in a comfortable fashion against Edinburgh City was one of the biggest surprises of a mundane Scottish Cup fourth round weekend. The Lanarkshire club have a regrettable habit of embarrassing themselves against lower league opposition in the cup in recent years, so the 5-0 triumph should see them come into Wednesday's match with their tails up. Not that it should matter much. Hibs are the better side and the second coming of Omeonga should provide an extra surge of energy in the stands and on the pitch. Prediction: Home win
Mark Atkinson
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Hide AdDespite a few injuries in defence, Hibs have enough in their attacking armoury to take care of a Hamilton side that ship a decent number of goals and don’t travel especially well. Expect Stephane Omeonga’s return to lift the home crowd. Prediction: Hibs 3-1 Hamilton
Anthony Brown
Hamilton have shown better recent form than Hibs and are unlikely to be rolled over easily. However, with the on-song Martin Boyle on the pitch, aided in attack by Christian Doidge, Scott Allan and Florian Kamberi, the Easter Road side are perfectly capable of getting themselves into a strong position in the game. The main issue if they do so, of course, is whether they are capable of maintaining it after squandering leads at an alarming rate this season. Prediction: Hibs win
Patrick McPartlin
Despite groans from some fans at full time, Hibs were very good in parts against a Dundee United side who are no mugs and don’t often get beaten at home. Attacking play, especially in the first half, was as good as it has been, and the Easter Road side look sharp after their double sessions in Spain during the winter break. Hamilton had a straightforward win over Edinburgh City at the weekend but Hibs will be a sterner test - especially given Accies aren’t great on the road. Prediction: Hibs win