In different circumstances, this might be just the sort of game managers have in mind when they talk about the dreaded - by players, anyway - squad rotation. St Mirren in Paisley on a cold Wednesday night, just before you head to Hampden to take on your closest rivals in a Premier Sports Cup semi-final? Ring the changes and focus on the big one ...
Except, of course, that every game is enormous for Hibs at the moment. Three games into Marink Reedijk’s time as manager, and with zero points to show for their efforts, the Easter Road side need a victory for obvious, clear and pressing reasons.
With Martin Boyle still unwell and no-one else ready to jump off the treatment table for a league game laden with opportunity, Reedijk arguably couldn’t make many changes even if he felt like it. Not now that he’s ruled out playing Grant Hanley at centre forward as a starting tactic.
On the back of a much-improved performance in Sunday’s defeat to league leaders Celtic, there’s also a case to be made for sticking with the guys who came close to grabbing at least a point in their meeting with the champions.
Here’s how we think Hibs will line up:
1. GK Raphael Sallinger
Austrian goalie is still seeking his first clean sheet of the Scottish Premiership season. | SNS Group
2. RB Felix Passlack
Newly-appointed captain is a stick-on at right back. A starting position that is more of a suggestion than an order, given the freedom he's afforded to get forward. | SNS
3. CB Jason Kerr
Horrible own goal on Sunday marred a decent performance. Chance to make quick amends here. | SNS Group
4. CB Marko Ivezic
There's definitely something there, right? Has a role to play in building from the back. | SNS Group