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

The Staggies are unbeaten against the Easter Road outfit so far this season, holding them to a goalless draw in October and recording a 2-0 win in Edinburgh in December.

However, Hibs will feel confident coming into this game on the back of three straight wins over Dundee United, St Mirren, and Aberdeen.

Victory for Jack Ross’ side would take Hibs over the 50-point mark and with Aberdeen facing a tricky test against St Mirren, the Capital club could potentially widen the gap between them and the Dons to eight points.

The Staggies have won just twice at home all season on league duty including the 4-1 trouncing of Aberdeen in mid-January. The lost their last match 2-0 at home to Dundee United and Ross will hope his side can add to eleventh-placed County’s woes this weekend.

Team news: Hibs have no new injury worries despite a somewhat bruising encounter against Aberdeen that forced Jackson Irvine off with a shoulder injury. The Australian internationalist is expected to take part in Saturday’s match while Joe Newell could join the bench as he works his way back from injury.

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

Match details: Saturday February 13; kick-off 3.00pm, Victoria Park, Dingwall

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

Key stat: Hibs have never lost to County in February; winning 2-1 and 3-0 however, both those games were at Easter Road. County have experienced two three-game losing runs at home this season and the home defeats by Dundee United and Motherwell mean Hibs could make that three with a win in the Highlands.

Former Hibs striker Oli Shaw is the Staggies’ top goalscorer this season with six so far – including one in the 2-0 win against his former club in December.

Referee: Greg Aitken takes charge of this encounter, backed up by Graham Chambers and Stuart Hodge, with Matthew MacDermid named fourth official.

The 43-year-old has only taken charge of 11 games involving Hibs in his career, with the Easter Road side recording six wins and five draws, albeit most of the matches were during Hibs’ spell in the Championship. His only previous encounter involving Hibs this season was the goalless draw against Motherwell in August. He has booked just 13 players in those 11 matches but awarded four penalties.

Aitken has also over seen 11 games involving Ross County with the Staggies having won five, drawn two, and lost four. He was the man in the middle for their 2-0 home defeat by Rangers in early October.

He has flashed the yellow card 21 times, sent off two, and pointed to the spot once in games involving County. His overall tally in Premiership matches this season stands at 13 bookings and two penalty awards.

Match odds: Ross County 7/2 Draw 3/1 Hibs 8/11 (odds supplied by McBookie).

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