Hibs v Kilmarnock preview: Scottish Premiership team news, referee, starting XI, how to watch, match odds

Hibs host Kilmarnock on Saturday looking to build on the point gained against Celtic on Monday night.

Jackson Irvine and Martin Boyle share a joke during training

After five straight defeats, Alex Dyer’s side have started to pick up results again with two wins and a draw from their last three matches although they have lost both encounters with the Easter Road side this season by a single goal.

Victory for the Capital club in tomorrow’s match could help them keep pace with Aberdeen, who travel to Ross County, while potentially putting more space between themselves and Livingston, who are at Celtic.

Three points for Jack Ross’ side would also take the Hibees onto 40 points for the season.

Team news: Martin Boyle and Ofir Marciano took part in training on Friday but it remains to be seen if they will be involved on Saturday. Joe Newell could miss out after being forced off with an injury against Celtic while Josh Doig, who also sustained a knock against Celtic, should make the squad. Jackson Irvine trained on Friday and could be involved.

Possible line-up (4-4-2): Macey; P McGinn, Porteous, Hanlon, Stevenson; Boyle, Hallberg, Mallan, Murphy; Doidge, Nisbet. Subs from: Dabrowski, Gray, McGregor, Doig, Gogic, Irvine, Wright, S McGinn, Gullan, Bradley.

Match details: Saturday January 16; kick-off 3.00pm, Easter Road Stadium, Edinburgh

How to watch: Fans of both teams will be able to watch this game on Hibs' pay-per-view TV option – details here.

Key stat: Killie haven't won at Easter Road since May 2014, when a Kris Boyd goal ensured the visitors’ top-flight safety and consigned Hibs to the relegation play-off which they lost on penalties to Hamilton. Jackson Irvine and Craig Samson played the full 90 minutes for the Killie team that day.

Referee: Willie Collum takes charge of this encounter; his fifth match involving Hibs this term after overseeing the Scottish Cup semi-final; the 3-0 win at St Mirren in September; the Boxing Day loss at Ibrox and the 1-0 win against Dundee in the Betfred Cup in November. He is assisted by Alastair Mather and Andy Milne while fourth-official duties will be handled by David Lowe.

Match odds: Hibs 1/1 Draw 12/5 Kilmarnock 14/5 (odds supplied by McBookie).

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