Hearts vs Hibernian Tips: Hearts not ready to be broken
With Valentine's Day fast approaching Hearts will be hoping to feel some love when they host Hibernian in a Tynecastle Edinburgh Derby on Tuesday night.
A clash between the capital clubs is always a highly anticipated contest but, with the Jambos going for the Scottish Premiership title, there is even more importance on the fixture this time around.
Hibs have their own European ambitions and there has been plenty of sunshine in Leith this term, with David Gray's men booked for a top-six position before the split.
Team news
Lawrence Shankland and Cameron Devlin will miss the Edinburgh derby through injury. Stephen Kingsley, Calem Nieuwenhof and Finlay Pollock are also out.
Craig Halkett is suspended after his red card against St Mirren but Hearts have a squad of upwards of 30 players and there are plenty of options open to manager Derek McInnes.
Jamie McGrath and Warren O'Hora should be fit to return for Hibernian after missing the last couple of games.
However, Hibs will be without Jordan Obita, who picked up an injury in last week's 3-2 victory over Dundee United. Josh Mulligan, Grant Hanley and Chris Cadden are also sidelined.
New signings Kai Andrews, Owen Elding, Munashe Garananga, Felix Passlack, Dane Scarlett and Ante Suto continue to be available for selection.
Tip 1 - Hearts to win & both teams to score @ 5/2
Hearts can extend their advantage at the top of the Scottish Premiership table to six points with an Edinburgh Derby victory over Hibs on Tuesday night and the Jambos should hit the target.
Celtic and Rangers have to wait until tomorrow for their right to reply and McInnes' men can keep the pressure on the two Glasgow sides.
Hearts suffered their first real slip of the season when losing 1-0 at St Mirren last week, but that loss can be explained by Halkett's early red card.
There hadn't been any real signs of Hearts being broken prior to the Paisley reversal and the Jam Tarts had previously crushed Dundee United 3-0 at Tannadice.
Two dismissals helped Hearts on their way against the Terrors but McInnes men hit 22 shots and an expected goals total of 4.24 in that 3-0 romp.
Hearts outmanoeuvred Celtic in a 2-2 draw at Tynecastle at the end of last month and the Jambos are unbeaten in the 12 home Scottish Premiership matches this season.
No Scottish top-flight team has scored more than Hearts' 47 league goals this term and they carry a potent attacking threat.
The injury to striker Shankland is a blow to the Jam Tarts, but there is a bumper squad at Tynecastle and there is no shortage of options open to manager McInnes.
Hibs have enjoyed a pretty solid campaign and the Leith side are booked for a spot in the top six come the split later in the season.
Gray's side were good 3-2 winners over Dundee United last time out and Hibs were a better side when drawing 0-0 with Rangers at Easter Road prior to the win over the Terrors.
However, a trip to Tynecastle will demand more than even a home tie with the Gers, and Hibs may just fall short on this occasion.
The Leith outfit edged a thrilling 3-2 contest at Easter Road in December, but Hearts are fancied to turn the tables and secure a victory, in which both teams find the net, at Tynecastle.
Tip 2 - Claudio Braga to score first @ 19/4
Claudio Braga is likely to lead the Hearts line in the continued absence of striker Shankland and the impressive Portuguese forward can open the scoring on Tuesday night.
The 26-year-old has 13 goals for the Jam Tarts this season and there has been no shying away in important games with the former Aalesund attacker finding the net in two contests against Celtic.
Braga is averaging 3.13 shots per 90 minutes in the Scottish Premiership this term and those numbers suggest he can cause Hibs major problems at Tynecastle.
Three of his last four goals for Hearts have broken the deadlock and he can make another lively start this week.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
