Hearts welcome fierce rivals Hibs to Tynecastle tonight for the third Edinburgh derby of the Scottish Premiership season - and few of these clashes have been as important as this evening’s.
Three points clear at the top of the table, Derek McInnes’ side is reaching crunch time in their quest to win their first league title since 1960. Beaten for only the third time this season against St Mirren last week, the Jambos know they can’t afford too many slip-ups with Rangers and Celtic breathing down their necks.
However, their Edinburgh neighbours would love to knock them off their perch, damage their title credentials and record a second successive win against them following their 3-2 triumph at Easter Road back in late December.
Comfortably in the top half of the table, David Gray’s Hibs side trail fourth-placed Motherwell by just four points heading into the game, and will want to add pressure to those above as they seek a second successive top-three finish.
With both Edinburgh sides looking stronger than they have done in many seasons, we pondered which players would make a combined Hearts and Hibs starting XI, based on the 2025/26 campaign so far.
Using the popular football statistics website FotMob, this is who would make a combined Hearts-Hibs starting XI this season in a 4-3-3 formation.
9. RW: Jamie McGrath - Hibs
The Republic of Ireland international has proven to ben an extremely shrewd addition, registering a goal contribution every other game since his free transfer arrival from Aberdeen in the summer. The highest rated Hibs player with an average rating of 7.51, he has scored seven goals and assisted three more in a strong debut campaign at Easter Road | SNS Group
10. LW: Alexandros Kyziridis - Hearts
One of the signings of the season, the 25-year-old Greek winger has scored four goals and assisted a further six since his arrival from Zemplin Michalovce. He makes this starting XI comfortably with an average rating of 7.28 for the season. | SNS Group
11. CF: Lawrence Shankland - Hearts
He's the highest ranked striker in the division, with an average rating of 7.46, though he'll miss Tuesday clash with Hibs due to a hamstring injury. His absence will be sorely felt at Tynecastle, with the captain scoring 11 goals and assisting two in just 21 league appearances this term. Surprisingly, his strike partner Claudio Braga misses out on the starting XI. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group