Hibs out to sting Caley Thistle

While much of the nation’s attention will understandably be on the Old Firm on Wednesday, there’s also a relegation battle between Hibernian and Inverness in Scotland which could be just as significant come the end of the season, and both teams will be going all out to claim what could be three vital points (Hibs 13/10, draw 9/4, Inverness 21/10).

After strong campaigns last term, both clubs have struggled this time around and now find themselves 10th and 11th respectively in the table with only lowly Dunfermline below them.

Hibs have been hugely disappointing as many believed they could possibly go on to trouble Celtic and Rangers this year due to the strong mix of youth and experience in their squad.

However, they have struggled for consistency, especially in defence where barely a week goes by without them conceding a calamitous goal and they are currently on a run of seven games without a victory.

One look at their squad and you start to believe that is only a matter of time before they start to climb the table and their forward line of Garry O’Connor (11/8 to score at anytime) and Leigh Griffiths (also 11/8 to score at anytime) should be good enough to trouble even the meanest defences in the SPL.

Both players possess superb strength and have been in good form this season with O’Connor netting seven while Griffiths has scored four. These two could make the difference on Wednesday so look out for them to be on the score sheet.

Inverness are perhaps one of the lesser known sides in the league but have held their own since being promoted back to the top league in 2010. They go into the game at Easter Road in good form as well, having won two of their last four games and Terry Butcher’s side look as if they may be on their way up the league.

Their star man is captain and striker Richie Foran (7/4 to score anytime) who has often carried them through difficult times and his ability to hold the ball up and bring his team-mates into play could prove priceless against Hibs.

One of the players he’ll be looking to bring into the game will be winger Andrew Shinnie who has a habit of scoring vital goals at important times and is understood to have been looked at by a number of English Premier League clubs ahead of the January transfer window.

However, despite Shinnie and Foran’s excellence, Hibs should just sneak this one and home advantage could make all the difference. The partnership between O’Connor and Griffiths is truly a class one at this level and they should see their side through, but it’ll be close (Hibernian 6/1 to win 1-0).

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Celtic to come through Hibs test

It’s been a difficult campaign for Neil Lennon and Celtic (8/15 in the match betting) so far, but things could be looking up and they should see off Hibernian (5/1) on Wednesday to book their place in the last four of the Scottish Communities League Cup.

Lennon’s Bhoys sit 10 points behind Old Firm rivals Rangers in the SPL with the 4-2 defeat at Ibrox in September the low point of the season so far. They do have a game in hand and will hope to claw back that deficit as the season goes on but they can forget about their league woes in midweek when they travel to Edinburgh for the Hibs clash.

A 2-0 win over Ross County in the last round has set up the Easter Road meeting and, while Lennon is expected to make changes for the game, the Northern Irishman insists he is taking the competition seriously and is focused on securing a semi-final spot.

Lennon’s side got a much-needed 2-1 win over Aberdeen on Sunday thanks to Charlie Mulgrew’s winner. He has been a rock at the back and is expected to play in Edinburgh alongside first-team regulars Beram Kayal and Joe Ledley, who all featured against County in September in the last round.

Kayal, in particular, was impressive in the win over the Dons after it was announced last week he had agreed a new, long-term contract at Celtic Park. He has yet to score this season but might be worth a a punt at 4/1 to score anytime in this one.

Looking at the goalscorer markets more closely, Gary Hooper is the 7/2 favourite to score first – as he looks to repeat the feat he managed against Ross County – but better value can be had elsewhere. Ivan Sproule (Hibs) looks tempting at 10/1 to open the scoring while Ledley at 9/1 is attractive for the visitors.

Hibernian will be without on-loan Richie Towell as he can’t face his parent club so that means manager Colin Calderwood must change the side which beat St Mirren 3-2 in the SPL on Saturday.

Mark Brown should start in place of Graham Stack, continuing as goalkeeper for the League Cup campaign, while Calum Booth could return.

Calderwood’s side will be revved up for the clash and will fancy their chances of at least taking the game to extra time but we expect Celtic to come through without too many problems – with the draw/Celtic – HT/FT at 10/3 well worth a bet.

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