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Hibs v Hearts

Scottish Premier League

Live on Sky Sports. Kick off: Monday, 2nd January, 12.15pm

There may have been fireworks in the capital to welcome in 2012 last night but there’s a good chance there’ll be a few more at Easter Road in tomorrow’s lunchtime kick-off.

It’s hardly been a vintage year for the two Edinburgh clubs but nothing raises the temperature of both sets of fans quite like the old derby. It will be Pat Fenlon’s first derby in the Hibs dugout, whilst for Hearts boss Paulo Sergio it’ll be a case of trying to rally his troops yet again, against the backdrop of unpaid wages and an uncertain future.

But fair play to the Jambos. When some may have written them off due to Mad Vlad delaying the player’s salaries, the squad have got their heads down and got on with it, picking up 7 points from their last 9. They can also go into the derby in good heart based on an 8-match run of games without defeat to their greatest rivals.

You have to go back two full calendar years for Hibs last victory in this fixture, a 1-0 win at Tynecastle in may 2009. No wonder then that the bookies make Hearts favourites at 11/8 (Ladbrokes) and the Hibees outsiders at 23/10 (William Hill).

On current form that’s hard to disagree with but this is a derby and anything can and usually does happen. A major concern for Hibs will be the fitness of Garry O’Connor. His toe injury may yet rule him out but if their top scorer does make it then 23/10 on the home win looks the value call.

In a game that’s seldom without incident you could do worse than back a red card. Problem is that the best price is a measly 21/10 at Chandler. Instead you might want to consider Bet365’s 1/1 on there being over 5.5 cards in the game. That will look especially appealing if Hearts doubt Ian Black makes the starting XI – he’s always good for a booking on these occasions.

Selectabet’s Best Bets

• Hibs 23/10 (William Hill)
• Over 5.5 cards 1/1 (Bet365)

View the rest of this betting tip at: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/selectabet/feed/~3/CJwQl3_UD0Y/

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