Predicted XIs: The key Hearts selection decisions ahead of Hibs clash

The Hearts head coach's first match as interim manager finished in a 1-0 win for Hibs a the same venue, but the 2-2 draw between the two rivals at Tynecastle earlier in the season provides supporters with grounds for cautious optimism.

The men in maroon can tighten their grip on third place with another three points tonight, and they will be confident having won 2-0 in each of their last two league outings.

So, who will get the nod from Naismith? Who will have to settle for a place on the bench? Our writers talk us through their predicted line-ups below.

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JOEL SKED

Back-to-back wins, players coming back from injuries and young starlets showing up well. It's safe to say that Steven Naismith will have a selection headache. It's always safe to say that he'll go with a back three rather than back four considering the form and options given to him by Frankie Kent, Kye Rowles, Stephen Kingsley and the returning Craig Halkett. Both wing-backs Alex Cochrane and Nathaniel Atkinson have also been very good across the past two fixtures.

In terms of Wednesday evening, the expectation is that Stephen Kinglsey will come back into the line-up having been rested for the St Mirren game. He picked up a knock against Celtic but Naismith confirmed he was fit enough to come off the bench against the Buddies. Is Halkett in a position to start back-to-back games in five games, considering he completed 90 minutes on Saturday? If Jair Tavares or Elie Youan play on the left for Hibs they will be keen to come inside, onto their stronger foot. That plays into the hands of Kingsley as a left-footed right-sided centre-back.

Naismith, you would imagine, would go back to a more traditional three-man midfield with two strikers rather than the four and one against St Mirren. Beni Baningime dropping deeper and Calem Nieuwenhof and Aidan Denholm in front. Their energy to help win the midfield battle. In attack, there are plenty of options to partner Lawrence Shankland but Alan Forrest could reprise the role given to him in the win over Celtic. If you look at the attacking options, Forrest is the most reliable to be diligent and follow orders in terms of what is expected from him.

It then leaves plenty of choice to change it from the bench with Barrie McKay, Yutaro Oda, Kyosuke Tagawa, Kenneth Vargas, and maybe even Alex Lowry and Liam Boyce.

Predicted line-up: Clark; Kingsley, Kent, Rowles; Baningime; Atkinson, Denholm, Nieuwenhof, Cochrane; Shankland, Forrest.

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JAMES CAIRNEY

With Hibs likely to line up in a 4-4-2 that verges on a 4-2-4 at times, I can’t imagine we’ll see Naismith deviate from the 3-5-2 shape that fans have become accustomed to lately. The wide centre-halves could find themselves playing a little wider than usual to support the wing-backs, and Hearts will have to be wary of attacks down either flank.

I expect we’ll see one change at the back as Stephen Kingsley returns to the starting XI, with Craig Halkett the most likely candidate to drop to the bench. Kingsley has been in fine form of late and although Halkett played the full 90 minutes against St Mirren at the weekend, Hibs have more pace in attack – and Kingsley is better suited to countering this threat.

Frankie Kent and Kye Rowles will surely hang onto their places in defence, while it’s hard to look beyond Alex Cochrane and Nathaniel Atkinson for the wing-back slots. I think we will see a different approach at Easter Road, though. Against the Buddies, Cochrane and Atkinson played an inverted role, coming inside to support the midfield, but I expect them to get high and wide in Leith. Much of the St Mirren game was played in central areas, but I would expect this contest to be won and lost out on the wings.

Beni Baningime continues to go from strength to strength, and the former Everton man will surely get the nod in the No.6 position. Aidan Denholm underlined his credentials in the recent wins over Celtic and St Mirren, and the youngster’s industry makes him well suited to this fixture – particularly with Cammy Devlin out injured. Barrie McKay played in a central midfield role against St Mirren and gave a good account of himself, but I would expect the playmaker to make way for Alex Lowry tonight. The Rangers loanee was excellent in the 2-2 draw with Hibs at Tynecastle earlier in the season and with Hibs only playing two in midfield, Lowry should be afforded space to operate in.

Lawrence Shankland will, of course, lead the line in attack – and I think Alan Forrest could be starting alongside the Hearts captain. The pair formed an effective partnership at Celtic Park, and Forrest’s direct style gives Hearts the option of hitting their rivals on the counter-attack at pace. Most importantly, though, Forrest is good at keeping a hold of the ball – an invaluable trait in amongst the chaotic hustle and bustle of an Edinburgh derby.

Predicted line-up: Clark; Kingsley, Kent, Rowles; Baningime; Atkinson, Denholm, Lowry, Cochrane; Shankland, Forrest.