Hearts and Hibs meet at Hampden with contrasting form and moods

Hearts and Hibernian meet in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden on Sunday, with the Edinburgh rivals arriving in sharply different form. Hearts sold out their initial allocation in three days and took their total beyond 23,000, while more than 18,000 Hibs fans are expected despite some seats remaining unsold at their end.

The contrast extends to the league. Hearts sit third and beat Hibs in early September, while Hibs are second bottom of the Premiership with two points from their past eight outings. Hibs are still waiting for a first victory under Marink Reedijk, whose side drew at St Mirren on Wednesday after three defeats; they have no league clean sheet and have struggled for chances.

Hearts manager Wouter Vrancken played down the significance of the earlier derby, noting the new manager, new style and new competition, and calling the semi-final an all-or-nothing game. Reedijk described it as a special match and a semi-final one step from a final, suggesting there could be some surprises.

Hampden history favours Hearts, who have won all their derbies there, including semi-finals in 2020 and 2022 and the 2012 final. Hearts have not won a trophy since 2012 and last took the League Cup in 1962, while Hibs have won the competition three times in that period. Both squads have lengthy injury lists, though Hibs are boosted by the return of Martin Boyle, their top league scorer with three goals.

Hearts have five players on three goals or more, with Claudio Braga and Calvin Miller reaching five in the midweek draw with Rangers. They faded late in that game, and their Conference League commitments add to a heavy schedule. Hibs' task may hinge on staying in the contest long enough to test that stamina, while avoiding the red cards that have hurt them in past Hampden meetings.

Source: BBC Sport

Image: SNS / BBC Sport