Hibernian start their Scottish League Cup campaign with a tie against Raith Rovers at Easter Road this Sunday.

The hosts enter the cup tie following a memorable success in Switzerland during midweek.

Match preview

Domestically, Hibs have had a dreadful start to the campaign, starting with two defeats against St Mirren and Motherwell.

Already, the task looks difficult for them to replicate their fifth-placed finish from last season, which earned them European qualification.

Not facing either Old Firm side until gameweek nine offers Hibs the opportunity to find some form, and facing lower-league opponents presents an opportunity for them to find a first domestic win of the season.

Their European campaign has provided many twists and turns already though, after it started with an embarrassing defeat at Inter d'Escaldes.

Lee Johnson's side rectified that shock result by thrashing the Andorrans 6-1 at home in the return leg, setting themselves up with a tie against Luzern.

After a 3-1 home win, heroics from Martin Boyle and Elie Youan saw Hibs hold on to progress 5-3 on aggregate after a draw in Switzerland.

Hibs now face Aston Villa in a potentially fantastic European tie, which will pit Scotland against England.

However, visitors Raith will also come into the match with great confidence after a strong start to the season.

Two draws and five defeats in their final seven games from last year has quickly been forgotten about as manager Ian Murray has turned the tables.

Beating Kilmarnock on penalties away from home was crucial in them sneaking through as one of the best second-placed teams from the League Cup group stage.

Albion Rovers and Annan Athletic were also comfortably dispatched to recover from an opening day defeat on spot kicks to Dunfermline.

Two goals in the final seven minutes against Partick Thistle saw them salvage an unlikely draw on the opening day of the Championship, before beating Greenock Morton 3-2 at the weekend.

A goal-laden start to the campaign has seen Murray's men net 13 goals in their first six games, but they will still come into this one as huge underdogs.

Team News

Hibs boss Johnson may name a similar team from the Luzern match after some positive displays.

Christian Doidge has started both league games this season, but was on the bench in midweek.

Josh Campbell returned on Thursday and could start again after playing 60 minutes, while Boyle's game time has been managed, but he now looks set to be unleashed after playing the majority of the two legs against their Swiss opponents.

Hibs are set to be without Chris Cadden and goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott, with Harry McKirdy still absent with health issues.

Raith should go full strength with over 1400 travelling fans set to make the trip to Easter Road.

Maciej Dabrowski could start in goal against the club he left in the summer, while Scott Brown could be in line for a first start of the season after returning to the squad last weekend.

Callum Smith will be one to keep his eye on after he was named in the SPFL's Team of the Week for his performance against Morton.

Ross Millen also made a return, slotting straight in at right-back for a first appearance since April.

Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Marshall; Fish, Hanlon, Stevenson; Miller, Jeggo, Levitt, Newell, Obita; Doidge, Le Fondre

Raith Rovers possible starting lineup:
Dabrowski; Millen, Watson, Murray, Dick; Stanton, Vaughan, Easton; Mullin, Hamilton, Smith

We say: Hibernian 2-1 Raith Rovers

Despite potentially having one eye on the Aston Villa game to come in midweek, Hibs may still play a strong enough side to get the job done here, taking confidence from the result on Thursday.

Getting a result away at Kilmarnock earlier in the campaign shows Raith are capable of competing, but they will have to hope that Hibs have something of a European hangover.


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