Preview: Hibernian vs. Peterhead – prediction, team news, lineups

Hibernian and Peterhead will both be targeting top spot in Group C when they face off in Saturday’s Scottish League Cup clash.

The hosts will head into the final group game in first place, with goal difference separating them from Queen’s Park and Peterhead.

Match preview

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Hibernian began their Scottish League Cup campaign with two comfortable victories, thrashing Elgin City 5-0 before cruising past Queen’s Park via a 5-1 scoreline.

However, Hibernian suffered a surprise setback in their third group game, falling to a 1-0 defeat to League One side Kelty Hearts on Saturday.

As a result of that defeat, David Gray‘s side are now sitting level on points with Queen’s Park and Peterhead, while Kelty Hearts are two points further back in fourth position.

Hibernian’s main focus will be on securing first position or one of the best second-placed spots, but they did have to put their League Cup campaign on hold for Wednesday’s friendly against Watford at Easter Road, with Josh Campbell and Harry McKirdy getting on the scoresheet in a 3-2 loss.

They will now turn their attention to Saturday’s home clash, where they will face Peterhead in a competitive game for the first time since recording a 4-0 victory in the League Cup in August 2006.

Meanwhile, fourth-tier Peterhead are bidding to reach the League Cup knockout rounds for the first time since the 2016-17 season.

They began their campaign with a disappointing 5-0 against Queen’s Park, before they bounced back with a 4-2 win against fellow League Two side Elgin City.

Peterhead went on to claim another win in Tuesday’s away game against Kelty Hearts, with Max Barry scoring the decisive goal in a narrow 1-0 victory.

That result would have given Peterhead a much-needed confidence boost as it represented their first competitive away win since November 2023.

They will now look to spring a surprise and claim their first victory over a Scottish Premiership side in the League Cup since beating Dundee United 1-0 in October 2020.

Hibernian Scottish League Cup form:

Hibernian form (all competitions):

Peterhead Scottish League Cup form:

Team News

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Hibernian will be unable to call upon Elie Youan due to injury, while they will have to assess the fitness of Chris Cadden.

Gray expects Josef Bursik and Lewis Miller to return to the squad after the pair missed the midweek friendly against Watford as a precaution.

Having scored three goals in the group stage, Martin Boyle will be looking to continue his encouraging start to the season.

As for the visitors, co-managers Jordon Brown and Ryan Strachan could stick with a back four of Caleb Goldie, Jason Brown, Scott Ross and Jordan Armstrong after they saw their side keep a clean sheet on Tuesday.

Dylan Forrest came off the bench to play over half-hour against Kelty Hearts, and the summer addition may now be given the task of starting Saturday’s away fixture.

Forward Ben Armour could also be brought back into the side after dropping down to the bench for the midweek victory.

Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Bursik; Miller, O’Hora, Ekpiteta, Obita; Newell, Moriah-Welsh; Boyle, Campbell, McKirdy; Vente

Peterhead possible starting lineup:
McKenzie; Goldie, Brown, Ross, Armstrong; Forrest, McCarthy; Dunne, Pawlett, Barry; Armour

We say: Hibernian 3-0 Peterhead

Hibernian may have suffered a surprise defeat to Kelty Hearts, but we do not expect them to slip up again, which is why we believe that they will cruise to a comfortable victory against their fourth-tier opponents.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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