Easter Road is the venue for a midweek Scottish Premiership match as Hibernian will take on Dundee. Both teams will be looking to improve their poor form in recent games. Can the home side get back to winning ways against the visitors?
Hibernian’s mixed start to the season continued, as they were held to a draw against St. Mirren in their last weekend’s fixture. Although the Hibees are placed well above the relegation zone by a margin of six points, their form in the recent games has done little to inspire confidence as they head into the Scottish League Cup final in the upcoming weekend against Celtic. They are winless in their last four fixtures in the league and are placed at the seventh spot with five wins, five draws, and seven losses in 17 matches. Hibernian went into the match against St. Mirren without a manager as Jack Ross was sacked after a poor string of results. Josh Campbell opened the scoring for the Hibees seven minutes into the second half although, his goal was canceled out as Joe Shaughnessy pulled one back for St. Mirren in the 87th minute. Hibernian would be looking to improve their form in the match against Dundee, given the fact that their league cup match is on the horizon. Paul McGinn and Paul Hanlon are suspended for the match, while Jake Doyle-Hayes is also doubtful to make an appearance.
Despite their recent slump in form, Hibernian have maintained a fairly decent defensive record in the league this season. They have conceded 20 goals, which is the seventh-lowest in the Scottish Premiership. They concede an average of 1.167 goals per match.
In terms of expected goals, the Hibees are placed at the fourth spot in the league. They average 1.29 expected goals per match.
Following their brilliant back-to-back win against Motherwell and St. Johnstone, Dundee have failed to carry the momentum forward and have suffered successive defeats in the league against leaders Rangers and more recently against fellow relegation contenders, Ross County. They are placed marginally above the relegation zone at 10th spot with four wins, four draws, and nine losses in 17 games although, both Ross County and St. Johnstone have a game in hand. Dundee would be looking to increase the gap from the relegation zone as they visit Hibernian in their upcoming match. Lee Ashcroft and Shaun Byrne are set to miss out on the fixture due to injuries. In addition, Cillian Sheridan is also sidelined due to an Achilles injury.
In their previous match against Ross County, Dundee were left frustrated as Danny Mullen’s own goal in the 64th minute turned out to be the difference-maker. Dominic Samuel had the highest xG in the match, followed by Luke McCowan, who scored a brace. McCowan also took the highest number of shots. Paul McMullan made the highest number of dribbles, while Max Anderson made the joint-highest recoveries in the opponent’s half.
In terms of successful defensive duels, Dundee are placed at the third spot in the league. They averaged more than 38 successful defensive duels per match.
Predicted XI
Hibernian (4-2-3-1): Macey; Cadden, Porteous, McGregor, Stevenson; Newell, Gogic; Murphy, Campbell, Boyle; Nisbet.
Dundee (4-4-1-1): Legzdins; Kerr, Fontaine, Sweeney, Marshall; McMullan, Adam, Anderson, McCowan; McGowan; Mullen.
Prediction
Although their form has been poor recently, Hibernian’s home advantage combined with Dundee’s poor away form means that the home side should come out on top in this match.
