Capital cracker for Easter Road

Edinburgh derbies are always big games but, with both sides in great form and the home side gunning for revenge, this promises to be a cracking contest.

Hearts have hogged the season's headlines, with a 12-game unbeaten sequence in the league and the shock departure of manager George Burley after just 10 of those.

But Hibs have recovered from a 4-0 mauling at Tynecastle on the second weekend of the season to build on the sparkling form they showed last season.

While major shareholder Vladimir Romanov has provided funds for exciting foreign imports at Hearts, Hibs boss Tony Mowbray has done wonders with a youthful, largely home-grown squad.

"I think we take confidence from the string of results that we have had and I think everyone knows that Hearts have set the standard for the league for everybody else," said Mowbray.

"Everybody will want to be the first club that can take the points off them and we are no different, it is a great challenge for us.

We've got that mentality that we want to stay unbeaten
Andy Webster
Hearts & Scotland defender

"The most important thing is collecting three points and as I've said, it's all about now accumulating the points at this stage of the season.

"Saturday gives us the opportunity to accumulate three more but it may also but it may dent any confidence or belief that Hearts have got to take the points off them, particularly an Edinburgh derby.

"It would tighten the league up a little bit more and we will be right in the mix at the top end of the table if we win."

Hearts have shown great resilience to pick up two wins since Burley's dramatic exit and the team are brimming with self-belief.

"We are going into the derby with confidence because we're unbeaten all season," said Hearts defender Andy Webster.

"We've got that mentality that we want to stay unbeaten.

"The longer the run goes on the more desperate we are to preserve it.

"It's not going to be easy, because derby games are always massive but we're going there to do just that."

With Hearts top of the pile and Hibs in third place, the Old Firm are not having it their own way in Scotland for a refreshing change.

Supporters in Edinburgh will be hoping the challenge can be maintained throughout the season but, for now, local bragging rights are the main concern.

Taken from the BBC