Heart of Midlothian v Hibernian
Hearts
Injuries - Hamill
Available Squad - MacDonald, McGowan, Zaliukas, Webster, Grainger, Prychynenko, Barr,
Black, Santana, Driver, Skacel, Glen, Ridgers, Elliott, Mrowiec,
Novikovas, Robinson, Holt, Smith, Morton, Taouil
Probable XI - MacDonald, McGowan, Zaliukas, Webster, Grainger, Driver, Black, Barr, Skacel, Robinson, Elliot (4-1-3-1-1)
Hibs
Injuries - Galbraith, Stack
Available - Brown, McPake, Kujabi, Hanlon, Doherty, Towell, Soares, Sproule,
Osbourne, O'Donovan, O'Connor, Doyle, Francomb, Grant, Claros, O'Hanlon,
Murray, Stevenson, Griffiths
Probable XI - Brown, Doherty, McPake, Hanlon, Kujabi, Claros, Soares, Stevenson, Osbourne, O'Connor, Griffiths (4-42)
Prediction : Hearts 1-0 Hibs
So here it is.....The "Salt 'n Sauce" final, with the old firm nowhere to be seen!
I
make no apologies for my huge bias here for Hearts, being a Jambo
for 36 years! Lets start by looking at the simple facts. Hibs have
not beaten Hearts at the last 10 attempts including 7 defeats (last 3 in
a row). Hearts finished the 38 game league campaign in 5th place
whereas Hibs staved off relegation to end up 11th 19pts behind Hearts.
But
why am I a little nervous? Well, it has not gone un-noticed that Hibs
manager Fenlon is starting to slowly turn things round at the club,
remember he was only appointed in November after a shambolic start under
Colin Calderwood. The players that Fenlon has brought in are now making
their mark, probably most notably in defence where McPake seems to have
made them a lot more solid and Kujabi gives them an attacking dimension
down the flank. They also now have a bit of grit combined with vision
in midfield with Claros and Soares linking up well with the forwards.
Upfront they are always going to be dangerous with pairing O'Connor and
Griffiths. O'Connor is the clubs top goal scorer with 16 for the season
but it is Griffiths that worries me the most as he is the type of nippy
little player that has the ability to score a goal out of nothing.
I'm
expecting Hearts to line up with a very similar looking side to the one
that beat Celtic in the semi finals. The only question mark hangs over
striker Beattie. He will definately play but whether he starts or not is
in question as he has been out for the last 3 games with a hamstring
injury, coupled with the fact that I don't actually think he has really
been fit since he came to the club, highlighted by his belly shown when
he did his shirt off celebration against Celtic. Hearts strength comes
from a solid defence , even though the defence conceded 5 goals last
outing against Celtic that is not an issue at all in my book. Hearts
have only had 43 goals against them in the league which was only
bettered by the old firm and for me Zaliukas and Webster have a great
partnership in the middle of defence, both mobile and good in the air. We should
deploy Barr as a holding midfielder just infront of them which allows
Black to marshall the midfield. Driver and Skacel have the skills so it
is only really goal scoring that concerns me. Hearts only managed 15
aways goals in the league this season which was the 2nd least in the
divison and its a real problem when away from Tynecastle.
With
all that said Hibs have been utter rubbish all season and if Hearts can
just stay relaxed and crucially keep their disciple,
we have the better players and should win the match but I can see it
being a close one and it would surprise me if a sending off or a penalty
could be the deciding factor.
So, in conlusion I'm prepared to
shut out my horrible feels about Hibs not winning the cup since 1902 and
the possibility that when they do it could be against their greatest
rivals (some sort of destiny pish...) and I'm happy to go with my
instincts and heart that the JAMBOS ARE THE BETTER TEAM AND WILL WIN @ 2.25 (Paddy Power)
Side bet : Rudi Skacel anytime scorer @ 3.4 (Sportingbet) for some reason this price is huge compared to other sports books, not sure why?
When the Hearts go up to lift the Scottish Cup, I'll be there, I'll be there................................
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