Hibs v Aberdeen preview: Scottish Premiership team news, referee, starting XI, how to watch, match odds

On form alone, the smart money would be on the hosts but the Easter Road side have found the Dons a tricky opponent in recent seasons with just two home league wins since 2011 in Leith. Matches between the two clubs are often decided by a single goal – will we see a repeat of that this weekend?

Hibs are aiming for back-to-back home wins for the first time since 2018 and could end that particular run if they beat the Pittodrie outfit and then Hamiton.

Derek McInnes brought in three new strikers during the January transfer window and at least two of them could feature. The big story was the loan signing of former Hibs forward Florian Kamberi, who stands a chance of facing his former team.

Team news: Why change a winning team? Jack Ross stuck to the same line-up that started in the 2-0 win at Dundee United in Paisley and reaped the rewards as Hibs recorded yet another victory on the road.

Darren McGregor was taken off at half-time of the St Mirren game but was that to save him for the visit of Aberdeen? Ryan Porteous scored the opener against St Mirren and could be pushing for a return to the starting XI while it remains to be seen if Joe Newell will be fit to play some part in the encounter.

Kevin Nisbet may start on the bench once more but made a positive impression as a substitute in Paisley.

Possible line-up (3-4-3): Marciano; P McGinn, McGregor, Hanlon; Cadden, Irvine, Gogic, Doig; Boyle, Doidge, Murphy. Subs from: Macey, Stevenson, Porteous, S McGinn, Magennis, Hallberg, Wright, Allan, Nisbet, Bradley.

Match details: Saturday February 6; kick-off 3.00pm, Easter Road, Edinburgh

How to watch: Hibs are offering a pay-per-view option on their in-house TV channel – details here.

Key stat: Hibs have won just four home games against Aberdeen in the last ten years with half of those victories coming in cup matches. Martin Boyle has scored in both league wins – a 2-0 win in February 3018 and 3-0 success in December 2019.

The only other player to score in both those matches, Florian Kamberi, now plays for the Dons.

Referee: Willie Collum takes charge of this encounter – just his third in all competitions between the two clubs – backed up by Calum Spence and Michael Banks, with Colin Steven named fourth official.

The 42-year-old has taken charge of four Hibs matfches already this seasn with Hibs winning three and losing one. He has dished out eight bookings in those four matches.

The visit of Aberdeen will be his 52nd match involving Hibs in his career with the Easter Road side winning 19, drawing 11, and losing 21. He has booked 88 players, sent off seven, and awarded nine penalties.

Hibs have lost just five home league games out of 17 with Collum as referee – one of them against Aberdeen during the 2010/11 season.

Match odds: Hibs 6/4 Draw 9/4 Aberdeen 15/8 (odds supplied by McBookie).

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers. If you haven't already, please consider supporting our sports coverage with a digital sports subscription.