The first Edinburgh derby of the season is so nearly upon us.

It may only be October, but there is always so much riding on these fixtures, and Saturday at Tynecastle will be no different. Hibs have not triumphed at the home of their city rivals since 2019, but manager Nick Montgomery takes his team to Gorgie in a fine vein of form.

The new manager has quickly re-energised the first team and he remains unbeaten in his opening four matches in charge. But three points on Saturday would be the strongest indication yet that he has this Hibs side moving firmly in the right direction.

READ MORE: How Hibs can exploit Hearts weaknesses in the Edinburgh derby

They will face a Hearts team which has made a stuttering start to the campaign, with manager Steven Naismith coming under considerable pressure before rattling off two wins in a week against Kilmarnock and Ross County. The old cliche dictates that the formbook is picked up and bodily flung out of the window on days like this, with the only thing guaranteed being the unbearable tension.

There is plenty for Hibs fans to discuss ahead of the fixture, including team selection and how Montgomery will approach a huge 90 minutes. Here, Hibs Observer editor Patrick McPartlin and writer Liam Bryce sit down to preview the derby, as well all the latest from Easter Road throughout the week.

On the agenda is tactics, the starting XI, the potential for needle after last season's fiery derby in May, Lewis Miller's first international call-up with Australia, and the midweek bounce game in which a number of fringe players accrued some valuable minutes on the pitch.

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