Hibernian’s clash with Hearts on Sunday is expected to be ill-tempered, so a minimum of three cards for the visitors is certainly within the realms of possibility. Hearts have one of the poorer disciplinary records in the Scottish Premiership this season, with St Mirren the only side to have been shown more yellow cards.

In fact, the Jam Tarts have totted up three or more bookings in five of their opening nine top-flight tussles this term. They were also shown three yellow cards when overcoming Omonia Nicosia in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night. It’s hard to imagine their discipline is about to improve during Sunday’s fixture with fierce rivals Hibs. What’s more, each of the last three sides to visit Easter Road in the Scottish Premiership have racked up three or more cards.

With a full blooded affair anticipated in the Scottish capital on Sunday, it makes sense to also side with five or more match cards. Each of these two Edinburgh foes are among the most ill-disciplined sides in the Scottish Premiership this season, with the pair both averaging a shade under three yellow cards per 90. Five of Hibernians last six league games have featured five or more cards, not to mention a red card has been flashed in three of their last four.

As for Hearts, a sizable seven of their opening nine Scottish Premiership assignments of the season have broken the over 4.5 booking barrier, including each of their last four. It’s also worth noting that last season’s one and only Edinburgh derby between the duo at this venue generated five bookings. On top of all of that, referee Don Robertson has dished out 5+ bookings in four of his previous six Scottish Premiership assignments this season.

Look to Hibernian to earn five or more corners during their capital clash with Hearts on Sunday. David Gray’s side have averaged north of six flag-kicks per 90 across their opening eight Scottish Premiership outings of the season. They have covered the 5+ line in seven of their previous eight league games, only failing to do so against league leaders Celtic. The Hibees won the corner count 7-4 when going up against Rangers at Ibrox last month.

Roared on by a passionate home crowd on Sunday, five or more HIbs corners should be well within range. Hearts have conceded at least five flag-kicks in six of their nine Scottish Premiership matches this season, including four of their last five.

Both of these sides have been involved in some high-scoring shootouts of late, suggesting goals should be on the agenda here. Hibernian shared five goals with Dundee United at Tannadice last weekend, while their previous home game with Motherwell saw a chaotic second-half produce three match goals. The Hibees were also held to a 2-2 draw in their second home game of the season against Dundee. With manager David Gray coming under increasing pressure, that could compel Hibernian to play on the front foot on Sunday as they desperately look to arrest their downward slide.

Boosted by their two wins under new boss Neil Critchley, Hearts are also certain to go for the jugular from the first whistle this weekend. The Jambos hit St Mirren for four last Saturday and they also played their part in a 3-2 thriller away at Aberdeen earlier this month. In fact, three of Hearts’ last four league games have produced over 2.5 goals, and another entertaining encounter is expected at Easter Road on Sunday.

Nectar Triantis To Be Carded
With Hibs captain Joe Newell suspended for Sunday’s Edinburgh derby, the responsibility of filling that midfield void falls on the shoulders of Nectar Triantis. The all-action Australian is available again after serving a one-match suspension of his own.

Triantis was given his marching orders for a second yellow card against Motherwell earlier this month, not to mention he also landed himself in trouble in each of Hibs’ two games prior to that against both St Johnstone and Rangers respectively. Consequently, Triantis has been carded in three of his four Scottish Premiership outings this season, committing a combined total of 10 fouls in the process.

The 21-year-old is certain to be one of the main protagonists in what promises to be a fiery midfield scrap on Sunday, making him a strong contender to be shown a card during this all capital clash.

Only Celtic and Motherwell are averaging more team corners per-game than Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership this term. David Gray’s side have averaged 6.25 flag-kicks per 90 across their opening eight league games of the season. Those lofty numbers have seen the Hibees hit six or more corners in three of their last five Scottish Premiership matches. They racked up 10 in their last home game with Motherwell and they also won the corner battle in their 1-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox.

While Neil Critchley made a dream start to life in the Hearts dugout last weekend, his side did concede six corners when playing host to St Mirren. They also gave up six flag-kicks on their only trip across town to take on arch-rivals Hibs last term.