Match Preview:Hearts vs Hibernian

"Hibs were the first side to defeat Hearts this season when they secured a 2-0 victory at Easter Road in October"

For once in Scotland, the Old Firm won’t be walking away with the silverware as in this seasons Scottish cup neither made it into the 5th round! Ever since they were knocked out the favourites became the two Edinburgh sides, Hearts and Hibernian, who have both had impressive seasons.

Therefore perhaps it came as a disappointment to the neutral that they were drawn to face each other in the Semi, but at the same time it means there will be either Gretna or Dundee in the final, both of whom are Scottish League sides. It has now become the established consensus that whoever wins that semi will go onto win as they will overpower the lower division rookies.

But just who will make it into the final? On past meetings this season the scales do appear to tip towards Hearts, as they have beaten their city rivals 4-1 and 4-0 at Tynecastle. However on the other side of the coin, Hibs were the first side to defeat Hearts this season when they secured a 2-0 victory at Easter Road in October,so its hard to draw any conclusions from this.

No doubt many Hibs fans will be hoping that the recent unrest behind the scenes will translate onto the pitch and unsettle Hearts. On recent form it does appear that Hearts have the upper hand, in their last game they beat Falkirk away 2-1 whereas Hibs slipped to a 2-0 home defeat by Inverness Caledonian Thistle. They have also only won twice in their last 6 league games which has seen them slip to 5th in the SPL table.

The team news for Saturday sees Hibs top scorer Derek Riordan suspended as well as Hearts midfielder Julian Brellier and striker Roman Bednar. Hibs could give a first start to their new Mocorran striker Abdessalam Benjellouna who has been granted a work permit meanwhile Hearts defensive trio Webster, Pressley and Neilson should all be fit again in time for the match.

My key player for this tie is Hearts Lithuanian striker Edgaras Jankauskas. Although he struggled to make an impact on the side earlier in the season, he has recently hit a rich vein of form scoring 6 times in his last 5 appearances for Hearts. Now he is back in the side he will no doubt be keen to establish himself above suspended Bednar in the pecking order. I'm going with Hearts on this one despite previously backing Hibs to win the cup after their victory over Rangers in February, but I certainly wouldn't write off Hibs either. It should be a mouth watering contest and a great exhibition for the Scottish league. Glasgow who?