Two of last season's top-five finishers meet on the opening weekend as Hibernian host Motherwell, with both sides arriving at Easter Road on the back of dramatic midweek European comebacks.
Hibernian head into the new campaign in good spirits despite a scare in Europe. David Gray's side lost the first leg of their Conference League qualifier 2-0 away to Malisheva, but responded in style, winning the home leg 4-1 to progress and keep their hopes of a first-ever group-stage campaign alive. They finished fifth in the Premiership last season, just four points shy of today's opponents.
Motherwell arrive with similarly good momentum. Alfred Johansson's side, who finished fourth last term, backed up a 2-0 first-leg win over HB Torshavn with a 3-0 away triumph in the Faroe Islands, sealing a 5-0 aggregate romp into the next round of Conference League qualifying.
The head-to-head record is finely poised, with both sides winning three of the last eight meetings. But recent history leans Motherwell's way - they're unbeaten in the last four against Hibs, including a 1-0 win at Easter Road when the sides last met in May. Notably, all four of last season's meetings between these two produced fewer than three goals.
Who is the Betting Favourite in Hibernian vs Motherwell?
According to recent odds at Oddschecker, Hibernian are the betting favourites to beat Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership encounter, with an implied win probability of around 45%, while Motherwell sit at roughly 28%.
Hibernian vs Motherwell Team News
Hibernian have strengthened significantly over the summer, bringing in five new faces. Left-back Adam Mayor arrives from Millwall, while centre-back Jason Kerr has signed for his boyhood club after leaving Wigan Athletic. Midfielders Azeem Abdulai and Callum Wright have joined from Leyton Orient and Plymouth Argyle respectively, and Stoke City striker Nathan Lowe has come in on a season-long loan. Gray is expected to have his full squad available.
Motherwell have undergone a bigger rebuild after losing key midfielders Elijah Just and Elliot Watt to Swansea and Samsunspor. Incomings include goalkeeper Alex Paulsen on loan from Bournemouth, left-back Dylan Williams from Burton Albion, centre-backs Martin Moormann and Jake Girdwood-Reich, loanee Alex Lowry from Wycombe Wanderers, and winger Willy Vogt from AC Bellinzona. The Steelmen do have injury concerns, though, with Jordan McGhee and Paul McGinn both missing the trip to Edinburgh.
Hibernian vs Motherwell Predicted Lineups
Hibernian (3-4-1-2): Sallinger; Obita, Kerr, O'Hora; Mayor, Chaiwa, Mulligan, Passlack; Boyle, Lowe; Elding
Motherwell (4-3-3): Paulsen; Charles-Cook, Moormann, Girdwood-Reich, Sparrow; Williams, Fadinger, Priestman; Said, Maswanhise, Vogt
Lineups powered by WhoScored.com.
Hibernian vs Motherwell Match Prediction
Both sides go into this one on the back of eye-catching European nights, and that should make for an entertaining opener at Easter Road. Hibernian's front three of Boyle, Lowe and Elding looked sharp in the comeback win over Malisheva, and with Felix Passlack offering a consistent outlet down the right, Gray's side have plenty of attacking threat to call on.
Motherwell, though, have the psychological edge historically, having gone unbeaten in four straight meetings with Hibs, and Lukas Fadinger arrives in excellent form himself having contributed goals in both legs against HB Torshavn. Johansson's side have also lost less defensively than the raw personnel changes might suggest, with a settled back line taking shape around Moormann and Girdwood-Reich.
Given how tight and low-scoring this fixture has been historically - four straight meetings have finished under 2.5 goals - there's a strong chance this stays close, but home advantage and the belief gained from Thursday's result should be enough to nudge it Hibernian's way.
Prediction: Hibernian 2-1 Motherwell
Hibernian vs Motherwell Bet Builder Tip
Our Hibernian vs Motherwell Bet Builder Tip includes the following selections:
- Yes - Both Teams To Score
- Martin Boyle - Anytime Goalscorer
- Lukas Fadinger Over 0.5 - Shots On Target
Best odds available of 14/1 at BetMGM UK at the time of publishing.
