'Hibs aren't coming up against catenaccio here' - Journalists' predictions for Hibs v Kilmarnock

Hibs' in-form striker Christian Doidge in action against Kilmarnock's Stuart Findlay in the Rugby Park clash earlier this season

Mark Atkinson

Having watched back Hibs' win over St Mirren on Tuesday, it's not unfair to say they were fortunate to win. A better outfit would have taken the chances the Buddies created. However, this Hibs team deserves immense credit for grinding out the win, especially when they've squandered leads already this term. Kilmarnock are an upgrade on St Mirren and are sturdy under Angelo Alessio, but Hibs aren't coming up against catenaccio here. Easter Road will be expectant and excited and I have a wee feeling Hibs are riding the crest of a wave here. Prediction: Hibs 2-1 Kilmarnock

Anthony Brown

Kilmarnock have been excellent in the three games I’ve seen of them against Edinburgh opposition this season, and their league position shows they remain one of the stronger teams in the league under Angelo Alessio. It remains to be seen if Hibs’ current run of form is simply a positive short-term response to a managerial change or the start of a genuine charge towards the European places, but if they are able to replicate the performance levels they managed against both St Johnstone and Motherwell, they will feel they have a decent chance of victory. Prediction: Hibs win

Craig Fowler

An interesting match that I shall be attending this weekend. Hibs weren't great by any stretch of the imagination against St Mirren in midweek. Though they managed to pick up all three points, they likely won't be able to repeat such a feat if they perform in the same manner when Killie come to town. I'm still yet to be convinced by Killie as an attacking force in the race for Europe (scoring three times against Hearts barely counts) but they're an excellent defensive team and will make things much harder for Christian Doidge and co than they've had it the last three games. I can see one goal settling this one and, with it being too tough to be sure either way, I'll let home advantage be the tiebreaker. Prediction: Hibs win

Neil McGlade

It wasn’t pretty in Paisley on Tuesday night, far from it. It was, however, a third win on the bounce and two under new boss Jack Ross. Hibs are now doing something they couldn’t do for love or money under Paul Heckingbottom and that’s win football matches. Winning breeds confidence and that will have boosted the morale in the squad ten fold. Kilmarnock enjoyed an emphatic win over Hearts last weekend, Chris Burke rolling back the years with a match-winning display. Killie will be confident despite Hibs’ recent run of results and I just feel they the hosts may be a bit lethargic following a tough battle against Saints. Prediction: Draw

Patrick McPartlin

One of Hibs' biggest problems in recent years has been a nagging inability to win ugly. Earlier this season, it was simply a nagging inability to win. The arrival of Jack Ross has reinvigorated some players and even if there was a degree of good fortune in the win over Motherwell and a bit of backs-to-the-wall action against St Mirren in mid-week, Hibs look like a harder team to beat but - crucially - they are able to see games out. Positive substitutions, players played in their best positions and a general upturn in the mood at Hibs has resulted in the feel-good factor steadily returning to the terraces. Kilnarnock haven't been too hot on the road this term and Hibs will be backed by an expectant and buoyant crowd which could make a huge difference. Prediction: Hibs win