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I'm backing both teams to score during Thursday night's Edinburgh derby.

Both sides will be going all out for victory at Easter Road, so I'm expecting an entertaining encounter in the capital.

Moreover, both teams have hit the back of the net in each of Hibs' opening three league games of the season, with all three of those contests also producing over 2.5 goals.

What’s more, David Gray's side were involved in another goal-filled game last Thursday night when suffering a 3-2 defeat at home to Gent in the Europa Conference League play-offs.

As for Hearts, they have been taking a much more front-footed approach under new boss Wouter Vrancken this season.

The Jambos' backline was breached in Saturday's 2-1 win over St Johnstone, while both teams also found the net in their previous Scottish Premiership away game at Aberdeen.

Hearts also conceded twice during a 6-2 Scottish League Cup victory over Inverness last month, while a pair of pulsating 2-2 draws with Rapid Vienna further strengthens the case for goals at both ends on Thursday night.

I'm more than happy to back both teams to combine for a minimum of nine corners at Easter Road.

While it remains a small sample size, there has been a noticeable uptick in the number of corners being generated in Hearts games under new boss Wouter Vrancken.

Indeed, the Jambos have averaged 7.00 corners per game across their opening three league matches of the season, with those contests producing an average of 10.34 corners per 90 overall.

Hibernian also tend to be reliable on the corners front, particularly when playing in front of their own supporters at Easter Road.

The Hibees racked up nine corners when hosting Motherwell on the opening weekend of the season before forcing six against Gent last midweek.

Hibs' clash with Rangers last month produced 10 match corners, which only adds to the appeal of backing over 8.5 during this all-Edinburgh affair.

Martin Boyle is a player I always like to target in the shot markets, and I'm backing the Hibs forward to hit the target at least once on Thursday night.

Boyle has so often been the man for the big occasion in the Edinburgh derby, and he comes into the latest instalment of this rivalry in decent form.

Indeed, the 33-year-old has scored in each of his two Scottish Premiership appearances this season, including against Dundee on Sunday, while he also made the net bulge against FC Malisheva in a Europa League qualifier in late July.

Boyle is very much a shoot-on-sight forward, averaging 0.91 shots on target per game in the Scottish Premiership last season.

He also worked the Hearts goalkeeper at least once in three of the four Edinburgh derbies last term, so there's plenty to like about his chances of doing so again on Thursday night.

The fact that Boyle tends to take responsibility from the penalty spot only adds to the appeal of backing him to register an on-target effort at Easter Road.

Josh Mulligan looks good value to attempt a minimum of one shot on Thursday night.

The all-action midfielder looks like he's getting back to his best following last season's injury issues, and his numbers certainly make a strong case for a minimum of one shot against Hearts.

Despite an injury-hit campaign, Mulligan still averaged 1.18 shots per game in the Scottish Premiership last season.

He's made an encouraging start on that front this term, racking up seven attempts across his three top-flight appearances, including four away at Dundee last time out.

Mulligan also fired in multiple attempts against Gent in the Europa Conference League last week, further highlighting his willingness to pull the trigger.

He should be in the thick of the action again on Thursday night, and the front-footed approach Hearts have adopted under Wouter Vrancken should present Mulligan with opportunities to fire off at least one effort.