Some people call it the salt and sauce derby but the last clash between Hearts and Hibs was so spicy that someone must have sprinkled Scotch Bonnet chillies on the chips.
It ended in a 1-1 draw at Tynecastle but the Jambos won by two falls and a submission in a match that ended with a mass brawl as gaffers Stevie Naismith and Lee Johnson squared up on the pitch.
That came after Hearts had Alex Cochrane sent off inside half an hour and Hibees defender Marijan Cabraja had to wrestle the ball from a fan as he tried to take a throw-in.
The high stakes that day added to madness with Naismith’s side needing a point in the final game of the season to secure a European spot and make Hibs sweat on Celtic winning the Scottish Cup to stamp their own passport.
It’s not do or die in today’s clash but there’s still a lot on the line as both teams bid to continue a revival.
Johnson is no longer around for a rumble with Naismith as the Englishman was bulleted after combining humiliating European results with three successive Premiership losses.
Nick Montgomery took the reins and is undefeated after four games, with the former Central Coast Mariners manager looking like a pretty shrewd appointment.
But this trip across the city is his biggest test so far and it’s a tough one to call as Hearts head into the game off the back of two
morale-boosting victories.
Plenty of fans wanted to see Naismith follow Johnson out the door when their side followed up a patchy Premiership start with a heavy defeat to PAOK in the Conference League play-off.
But the board have stuck by the rookie and the best way to silence the doubters would be a win over their city rivals.
McBookie make the Hibees 2/1 outsiders with Hearts at 5/4 and the draw paying 5/2.
But it’s too close to call so I’m going for the half-time draw instead (6/5, Unibet) while McBookie price a one-goal winning margin for either side at a tempting 13/10.
Jambos skipper Lawrence Shankland has gone seven games without a goal but netted four times in the derbies last term so could spark into life again here. He’s a best 13/10 at William Hill for anytime scorer.
Cards are always a good option in this fixture and a couple of bets stand out.
Cammy Devlin is always at the heart of the chaos and the Jambos star is 21/20 at Bet365 to go in the book.
I also like the 6/4 on offer for Lewis Miller to be carded as the Hibs right-back always gets stuck in as well.
It will be interesting to see if there’s a Euro hangover from Celtic today after their agonising loss to Lazio on Wednesday.
Kilmarnock are the visitors to Parkhead and have already beaten the Hoops in the League Cup at Rugby Park this term.
I’d expect Derek McInnes’ men to defend deep so going for Celtic corners could be the best option for punters.
Bet365 price over seven Hoops corners at evens while Celtic -5 in the handicap is 6/5.
Luis Palma has made a big impact off the bench in the last two games for Brendan Rodgers and he’s 11/5 with Bet365 for a goal today.
Motherwell’s last-gasp loss to Celtic made it three defeats in a row and the Steelmen’s luck has been so horrendous that the telly on their team bus will
probably get stuck on the Tory Party Conference when they drive to Livingston today.
Livi have also hit a slump, going five games without a win, so it’s another tough one to call.
We saw 12 corners when Well last came to the Tony Macaroni so I’m going for over five first-half corners at 13/10 (Bet365).
The other game today sees Dundee host Ross County and I like the half-time draw at 23/20 with McBookie.
St Mirren will be confident of piling on the pain for Rangers after watching the Ibrox side get their Aris kicked in Cyprus.
The Buddies are a tempting 19/10 at McBookie in the double chance market but I’m more drawn to the 5/4 at Bet365 for a Keanu Baccus card.
Aberdeen were also in Euro action on Thursday but are favourites to beat St Johnstone tomorrow. I fancy Bojan Miovski to score at 7/5 (Bet365).
Scottish Super Singles
- Super singles Lewis Miller card (6/4, Bet365)
- Shankland to score (13/10, William Hill)
- Over 7 Celtic corners (evs, Bet365)
- Half-time draw at Dens (23/20, McBookie).
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