Fresh off Boxing Day's win over Hearts in the Edinburgh derby, Hibernian return to Scottish Premiership action against Kilmarnock, keen to record a fourth league victory in Sunday's gameweek 20 clash at Easter Road Stadium.
Beating Hearts ended Hibs' five-match winless run against their rivals, and they are favourites heading into their final match of 2024 against a side they have lost to only once in their previous 10 meetings.
Match preview
There were two own goals in Thursday's Edinburgh derby, but Dwight Gayle scored the game's decisive strike for David Gray's men, who claimed a third straight top-flight victory and snapped a five-match sequence without beating Hearts.
That success was the Hibees' third on the trot and fourth in five games (one loss), highlighting their strong finish to the year after a second-rate start this term.
With four of the team's five Premiership victories coming in the last month, Gray will back his players for a fifth win in six to close out the year and record four consecutive league triumphs for the first time since October 2022, when they beat Sunday's opponents (1-0), Aberdeen (3-1), Ross County (2-0) and Motherwell (1-0).
Hibernian have not won consecutive matches on home soil all season, with their last such feat at the start of the year when they secured three on the trot against Dundee (2-1), Ross County (2-0) and Livingston (3-0); however, supporters will argue their side have not enjoyed performances to match the team's current level.
That possibly stands the home side in good stead against Sunday's visitors, though Derek McInnes's men have notched consecutive 1-1 draws at Dundee United and Motherwell following December 4's 6-0 thrashing at Rangers.
The Pride of Ayrshire have backed up those away draws with victories at Rugby Park against Hearts (1-0) and Aberdeen (4-0), with the latter Killie's biggest recorded victory in nine months (a 5-2 win over St Mirren in March) to match the team's 4-0 success over Dundee United in August 2020.
Although they could supplant Hibs in the table by eking out a third league victory on their travels this term, a side that has accrued two points from an available 15 away from East Ayrshire could have trouble in Edinburgh.
Given Kilmarnock's rough record against the Hibees, which has seen them claim one win in the previous 10 — a 1-0 victory in November 2022 — McInnes's men probably face an uphill task in their final match of 2024.
While Sunday's victor cannot rise into the coveted top six places, with both clubs five points shy of Motherwell, the pair will recognise the importance of maximum points to increase the pressure on the sixth-placed side, who are wobbling after taking one point from an available six.
Team News
Hibs could still be without the quartet of Marvin Ekpiteta, Rudi Molotnikov, Mykola Kuharevich and Kieron Bowie, who were unavailable to play on 26 December.
With his assist against Hearts, Nicky Cadden moved level with Martin Boyle for goal involvements (six), and the wing-back could be pivotal for the Hibees on Sunday.
Gayle could be trusted from the off this weekend to reward the forward for scoring with 12 minutes remaining in the derby.
Although Kilmarnock came out unscathed on Boxing Day, McInnes will continue to ease Kyle Magennis back into the side after his hamstring issues this term; Stuart Findlay, absent since early November, is anticipated to miss Sunday's visit to Hibs.
Bruce Anderson has scored three goals in his last four appearances to take his goal involvements to six, and the forward could return to the lineup for his seventh Premiership start.
Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Smith; O'Hora, Kiranga, Iredale; C. Cadden, Triantis, Newell, N. Cadden; Campbell; Boyle, Gayle
Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
Mccrorie; Lyons, Mayo, Wright, Ndaba; Armstrong, Watson, Polworth, Murray; Anderson, Vassell
We say: Hibernian 3-1 Kilmarnock
Hibs have netted three goals in consecutive home games, playing out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Aberdeen and beating Ross County 3-1, and Gray's men are favourites to outwit an opponent that has struggled for away results this term.
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