We return to William Hill Scottish Premiership action this Saturday afternoon following the international break. Kick-off will be 3pm. Excited for getting back to league business, it’s a trip through to the capital to face Hibernian at Easter Road. The Hibees, managed by David Gray, sit ninth in the latest standings, one point and one place worse off than ourselves. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game:
Tickets are now on sale for our away fixture against Hibernian on September 14, with a 3pm kick-off. Hibs will facilitate away ticket sales for this fixture through their own ticketing platform, providing digital tickets only. Tickets for the match can be purchased HERE.
Supporters will need to create an account on the single sign on platform, verify their email and then click back in through the link again to access the matchday tickets. To register CLICK HERE. For a step-by-step guide on registering please CLICK HERE.
Saints fans will be situated in the South Stand Lower section, with Block 29 available online and further blocks will be released where necessary. Ticket pricing is as follows:
Adult - £26 Over 65 - £16 Under 18 - £14 Under 13 (with full paying adult) - £12.
Turnstiles are opened one hour prior to kick-off.
Accessibility
Wheelchair tickets
Regular match pricing applies for the wheelchair tickets depending on category, with the personal assistant free of charge. These can be purchased by getting in touch with Hibs' Accessible Tickets Team by email on [email protected].
Ambulant tickets
Should be charged at the regular match price depending on category. Must be in receipt of Higher Rate DLA or Enhanced PIP to be eligible for a PA ticket. If a PA is needed and proof can be provided this will be free of charge. These can be purchased by getting in touch with Hibs' Accessible Tickets Team by email on [email protected].
Travel
McDiarmid Park supporters’ bus
Our supporters bus leaves McDiarmid at 12.30pm for this fixture. It is £13 for an adult and £10 for U16 and over 65. Phone 01738 459090 option 1 to book.
By car
From the west: From the M8 Motorway, the recommended route is via the City Bypass - South (A720) at the Hermiston Gate Roundabout.
Travel on the A720 to the Old Craighall Junction taking the first exit for Edinburgh (A1), following signs for Portobello.
Take first exit for City Centre (A1140) at the third roundabout and travel via Portobello Road, Jock's Lodge, (re-join A1), Meadowbank and London Road into Easter Road, Albion Road or Bothwell St (Footbridge) to the Stadium.
From the south: The recommended route is via the A1 (North) following signs for Portobello on the approach to Edinburgh.
Take first exit for City Centre (A1140) at the third roundabout and travel via Portobello Road, Jock's Lodge, (re-join A1), Meadowbank and London Road, into Easter Road, Albion Road or Bothwell St (Footbridge) to the stadium.
From the north: From the A8000, the M9 Motorway and then the M8 Motorway for Edinburgh. Directions are then as “From the West”.
Train
Edinburgh Waverley is served by trains from all over the country and adjoins Princes Street.
Easter Road Stadium is about a 20-25 minute walk from Princes Street. There are taxi ranks immediately outside the station.
Tram
The closest tram stop to Easter Road Stadium is Balfour Street, it's approximately a 10-minute walk away.
Form Guide
Hibs come into Saturday's game in poor form, as they are winless in their four opening league games, but with consecutive draws they could be primed to turn the tide in their favour if they can shore up their defence. Their most recent result was a 1-1 away draw at Kilmarnock, where a late Bruce Anderson penalty cancelled out Joe Newell's opener and denied Hibs victory. Despite a poor start to the season for David Gray's side, they have perhaps been unfortunate to meet Celtic in back-to-back games; a 2-0 home league defeat was followed up with a 3-1 away loss at Celtic Park in the League Cup. Hibs were also impressive in their last home game against Dundee, but once again they were denied three points late on as they drew 2-2 courtesy of Simon Murray's timely equaliser.
St Johnstone have also made a stuttering start to their campaign, but they do sit one place and one point above Saturday's hosts thanks to their solitary league victory over Kilmarnock. In their last game, St Johnstone were beaten 2-1 at home by Motherwell, where Benjamin Kimpioka's strike was not enough as goals from Dan Casey and Moses Ebiye resigned the Saints to a third straight defeat in all competitions.
Key Players to Watch
Hibernian
Over the summer, Hibs made some impressive signings as they looked to improve on their eighth-place finish from last season, with the likes of Kieron Bowie from Fulham, Junior Hoilett from Aberdeen and Nicky Cadden of Barnsley being some of their most noteworthy incomings. Hibs have a few fitness concerns to contend with ahead of Saturday's game, with Jack Doyle-Hayes, Elie Youan and Hoilett all expected to miss out here through injury. David Gray otherwise has a strong squad to pick from, with Rory McKenzie and Jack Burroughs in particular pushing for starts, after both made substitute appearances against Kilmarnock last time out.
St Johnstone
While discipline looks to be an issue for the Saints, they have also demonstrated their attacking quality in their 3-0 away win at Kilmarnock in August, when goals from Adama Sidibeh and Kimpioka gave Levein a glimpse of what his side can be capable of. For St Johnstone, Gambian forward Sidibeh is still serving his four-game suspension after receiving two red cards in the Dundee United defeat, and Uche Ikpeazu (knee) and Sam McClelland (Achilles) are long-term absentees with their injuries. Sanders is also suspended for the away trip to Hibs after he was dismissed in the home defeat against Motherwell, so Aaron Essel could drop back from midfield to compensate, or David Keltjens could deputise in defence in place of Sanders. Levein otherwise has the rest of his squad available for selection, with Nicky Clark and Kimpioka likely to start in attack, and Graham Carey will be pushing to start on the left flank ahead of the more defensive option of Andre Raymond.
Predicted Lineups
Hibernian possible starting lineup: Bursik; Miller, Ekpiteta, O'Hora, Obita; Levitt, Triantis, Newell; Boyle, Cadden, Kukharevych
St Johnstone possible starting lineup: Sinclair; Neilson, Essel, Cameron; Wright, Holt, MacPherson, Smith, Carey; Clark, Kimpioka
The Verdict
It is a tough ask to separate two teams that have both started the season with much room for improvement, and while St Johnstone come into Saturday's game on the back of three straight defeats, Hibs do not look as though they are in the best place to capitalise on this. For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
