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This video can not be played Hearts v Hibs: Title challengers and record chasers When Edinburgh's big two meet at Tynecastle on Saturday, Hearts will be aiming to maintain their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Hibs are attempting to make it three successive derby wins for the first time in over 100 years. Both sides are unbeaten on league duty so far but Hearts are way ahead with five wins and one draw, to Hibs' one win and five draws. Last term, Hibs had the upper hand, winning twice and drawing the other derby on the way to third place. The visitors are unbeaten in four of these contests and have lost just once in the past eight meetings. Derek Mc Innes is yet to lose over 90 minutes since taking over as Hearts head coach, with the only disappointment in 11 games being a League Cup penalty shootout loss to St Mirren. This will be his first taste of the derby but he does a positive record against Hibs from his time at St Johnstone, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock, winning 18 of his 39 games and losing 10. Mc Innes has yet to get the better of David Gray though, after two draws and a defeat last season with Killie. Hibs boss Gray went unbeaten in the derby in his debut campaign and did not meet Hearts or Mc Innes in his three short interim spells. As a player, he enjoyed three victories over his boyhood team and suffered two defeats, with just two of those 10 fixtures in the top flight. Hearts tend to get the ball forward quicker and have outscored Hibs by 15 to 10 in the league. The hosts just shade attempts on goal (94-89) and efforts on target (38-34), although Hibs were ahead on both counts before last weekend when they drew 0-0 at champions Celtic and Hearts scored three from 20 shots against Falkirk. Hearts are significantly ahead on touches in the opposition box (200-159) and have had more success from set-pieces, scoring from corners four times and twice from free-kicks, which is double Hibs' output. Those of a maroon persuasion have certainly had more to smile about this season and have by far the better overall record since these city rivals first met on Christmas Day 1875. However, derby bragging rights are all about recency and home fans will be ecstatic if they go 11 points clear of their neighbours seven games in, while those in green and white will be partying like it's 1922 if they can equal that long ago three-in-a-row. 'Tuchel ends days of starstruck coaches automatically picking big names' Ruthless England thrash SA in World Cup opener Singapore GP second practice: Norris and Leclerc collide in pit lane Alan Partridge returns with a 'brave' new project Love, murder and justice collide in a dramatic family saga A moving portrait of Birmingham’s favourite son, Ozzy Osbourne Why did a close friend testify against OJ Simpson in 1995? 'Aberdeen savour the most perfect game ever played' How Mc Tominay became a Napoli icon after Man Utd exit Scotland men's internationals to be shown live on BBC Commonwealth Games: Why is it so special to be part of Team Scotland? From titles to tinpottery - rank Scotland's top 10 clubs Sutton's predictions v Idlewild guitarist Rod Jones & AI 'I heard their opinion' - Postecoglou undaunted as Forest fans want him sacked Nurmagomedov v Hughes 2 - big-fight predictions Were Celtic VAR victims or just bad in loss to Braga? 'Focus and reset' - the bracelets keeping Bell on track 'Phenomenal' Odegaard given 'total freedom' to shine Australia begin title defence with win over New Zealand. Video Australia begin title defence with win over New Zealand 'Ten days in Lionesses' den and I wanted to stay forever' Is Beever-Jones making case to be Chelsea and England number nine? In Pictures: Sporting photos of the week 'Will he get billed for that? ' - batter breaks camera. Video'Will he get billed for that? ' - batter breaks camera Are undefeated Bills and Eagles destined to meet in Super Bowl? 'Stirring final-day fightback cannot hide US Ryder Cup shortcomings' 'In Donald we trust' - how Europe's 'best-ever captain' masterminded win How a dramatic end to the Ryder Cup unfolded. Video How a dramatic end to the Ryder Cup unfolded 'Soul gone' from Man Utd - Rooney has 'no faith' in Amorim Red Roses' next task - to defy legacy flops of the past Dominant England outclass Canada to win Rugby World Cup. Video Dominant England outclass Canada to win Rugby World Cup Who are the players in England's Ashes squad? Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.