PREVIEW: Hibs host Hearts in Edinburgh Derby

This evening, Hibernian and Hearts will face off at Easter Road in the first Edinburgh Derby of the season. Both teams have had successful starts to the league campaign, winning two of their first three games despite a single loss each. Hearts bounced back after their opening day loss to Aberdeen, defeating Dundee United and St. Johnstone, while also progressing to the Europa Conference League's league phase.

In contrast, Hibs bounced back from their home defeat to Motherwell on the first day, securing wins against Rangers and Dundee before falling short in their European qualification bid, losing 3-2 on aggregate to Gent. Last term, Hearts came tantalizingly close to their first league title since 1960, but a controversial defeat to Celtic on the final day cost them the championship.

Hibs, meanwhile, finished fifth with 57 points, marking their first back-to-back top-half finishes since the decade began. There were four Edinburgh Derbies last season; Hearts won three, while Hibs claimed one, a 3-2 victory at Easter Road shortly before the new year. The last Hearts win in the final derby of the previous season was the moment many believed they would finally dethrone the Old Firm and claim the title, but it proved not to be the case.

That Hearts team has since been largely dismantled, with manager Derek McInnes and top scorer Lawrence Shankland moving to Rangers. However, Claudio Braga remains at the club and has been just as impressive this term as he was last, scoring a goal and providing two assists in his first three league appearances. Two crucial players for Hearts' title challenge last year, Stephen Kingsley and Craig Halkett, are set to miss tonight's match due to injuries.

Ageu, Malachi Fagan-Walcott, and Tom Renaud also remain sidelined. Hibs seem to have a largely healthy squad ahead of the game, with only central defender Rocky Bishiri doubtful due to a tendon injury sustained at the end of last season. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:45pm BST and will be broadcast live on Premier Sports.