Heart of Midlothian

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• Hibernian have won both of their past two home league games against Hearts; they had won just one of their previous nine home Edinburgh derbies in the Scottish Premiership before this (D4 L4).

• After their 1-0 win in February, Hearts are looking to win back-to-back Scottish Premiership meetings with rivals Hibs for the first time since April 2014; this is the 28th top-flight game between the two sides since then.

• Hibs remain unbeaten in nine home league games (W6 D3), keeping a clean sheet in their last three; they haven't recorded four successive home shutouts in the top flight since December 2009 under John Hughes.

• Hearts are the first non-Old Firm club (Celtic/Rangers) to earn 70+ points in a Scottish Premiership season since Aberdeen in 2017-18 (73), while it's Hearts' most in a top-flight campaign since 2005-06 (74).

• Hearts are winless in their past four away league games (D1 L3), this after only failing to win four of their first 12 on the road in 2025-26 beforehand (W8 D2 L2).

Lawrence Shankland has reminded his Hearts team-mates that there are just three weeks standing between them and the greatest achievement of their careers as they prepare to head to Hibernian in a seismic Edinburgh derby. (Daily Record), external

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Hibs defender Grant Hanley is suspended while Rudi Molotnikov, Josh Mulligan (both ankle) and Munashe Garananga (hamstring) are still out.

Hearts midfielder Marc Leonard returns from suspension and Harry Milne has a chance of being involved after three games out with a calf issue, but Oisin McEntee (hamstring) has joined Tomas Magnusson (thigh) in being ruled out for the season.

Calem Nieuwenhof (hamstring), Ageu (thigh) and Craig Gordon (shoulder) remain out.

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Josh McPake backs himself to be a success next season when he makes the switch from St Johnstone to Hearts.

The 24-year-old winger has scored 19 goals this season, helping the Perth side win the Scottish Championship and promotion back to the top flight.

But it was announced in January that he had signed a pre-contract agreement to join the current Premiership leaders this summer.

"I think I am ready to take that step up," he told BBC Scotland. "I know Hearts are a massive club, but I back myself.

"I could do it here and I think I can do it at Hearts as well and we'll need to wait and see next season."

McPake was speaking after helping Saints beat Raith Rovers 2-0 on the night the Perth side were presented with the Championship trophy.

"I feel brilliant," he said. "What a result and what a season we've had.

"As a team collectively, we've been brilliant all season and this just tops it off."

McPake started his career with Rangers but had loan spells with Dundee, Greenock Morton, Harrogate, Morecambe, Tranmere Rovers and Queen's Park before finding himself released and joining Stirling Albion.

He then suffered relegation to League 2 before being snapped up by St Johnstone in June 2024.

McPake paid tribute to Simo Valakari for the manager's role in his fine season.

"This club's been absolutely brilliant for me at a time I needed it and hopefully I've repaid them," he added as he explained their warm embrace at the final whistle.

"It was emotional for me and for Simo, just for what we've done for each other."

The final Edinburgh derby of the season kicks off at 16:30 this Sunday, so what can we learn from the previous three this season?

Hearts have won two, with Hibs triumphing once, but perhaps crucially, David Gray's side's victory came at Easter Road, this weekend's venue.

Both Hearts wins were 1-0, with late goals in each game.

Whatever the result, this weekend's derby will go a long way to deciding Hearts' title fate, but Hibs are still seeking a European spot and will be desperate to derail their rivals' charge.

To whet your appetite for a mouthwatering match, watch all the highlights from the first three capital city clashes this season below.

Defender Craig Halkett ghosts in at the back post to secure a Hearts win at Tynecastle in the first Edinburgh derby of the season in early October.

Hibs raced 3-0 up at home in late December thanks to goals from Jamie McGrath, Josh Campbell and Kieron Bowie.

Hearts made it a nervy end with strikes from Lawrence Shankland and Cameron Devlin, but failed to rescue a point.

Tomas Magnusson's smart 88th-minute strike had Derek McInnes running down the touchline in celebration as Hearts maintained their title challenge.

Hearts boss Derek McInnes says his Premiership leaders are "still fighting, still believing, still swinging" as they prepare to begin the five-game post-split schedule with an Edinburgh derby against Hibs at Easter Road on Sunday.

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"It's the biggest Edinburgh derby league game in my lifetime."

That's how 34-year-old Andy Halliday described Sunday's meeting between Hibernian and Hearts at Easter Road.

With five games to go, the visitors lead the Scottish Premiership by one point.

Away form has been a problem for Hearts of late, so can their rivals put a spanner in the works?

"The pressure on both sides is enormous," said Motherwell midfielder Halliday, who spent three-and-a-half years at Tynecastle.

Talking on the BBC Scottish Football Podcast, he added: "Hearts are five games from winning the title. The Hibs players are trying to stop Hearts winning the league."

Scott Allan, a former Hibs hero, echoed those thoughts, saying: "There's no getting away from how important this game is for both sets of fans.

"For Hibs, it's a chance to derail Hearts' title challenge, which is probably Hibs' fans biggest fear.

"They're on the same number of titles in their history (four) and if Hearts can do it, you can't see Hibs ever pulling that back."

Hibs, who are three points behind Motherwell in the race to finish fourth, are unbeaten in their past three home derbies, winning a 3-2 thriller in December.

Hearts have scored late goals in all three meetings with their city rivals this season, earning two tense 1-0 wins at Tynecastle.

"Hibs are putting pressure on Motherwell, who have a difficult game against Rangers, so a win could be a big boost," explained Allan, who had three spells at Easter Road, scoring in a 2018 derby victory.

"Hibs have been competitive all season, but there's been far too many draws (12).

"I think there is just so much jeopardy for Hearts."

Halliday lost in only one of the derbies he played in and thinks his old team may have an edge in the middle of the park and up front.

"Hearts have a lot of combative midfielders who play with real energy," he said. "Josh Mulligan will be a huge miss for Hibs."

"It's so difficult to call, but I look at Lawrence Shankland and Claudio Braga and it's hard to go against Hearts in any game."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

With just five matches remaining, the tension, nerves and anticipation are rising across the Scottish Premiership as clubs at both ends of the table brace themselves for a defining stretch of the season.

For Hearts, sitting top of the table at this late stage is exactly the scenario they would have hoped for back in August - even if few could have predicted just how firmly they would place themselves in the title conversation.

Their final push begins with perhaps the most demanding fixture of all: an Edinburgh derby away to Hibernian at Easter Road.

Of the five remaining matches, none carries more edge.

For Hibernian, there is added incentive - not only the rivalry, but the opportunity to disrupt Hearts' title ambitions while strengthening their own bid for European football next season.

For supporters, this is the fixture that matters most. A victory for Hearts would preserve their place at the summit and deal a significant blow to their rivals' hopes. Defeat, however, would hand momentum to chasing sides and leave questions hanging over the leaders at a critical moment.

Head coach Derek McInnes and his players know what is at stake. Hearts are chasing a first top-flight title since 1960 - a prize that would cement this campaign in the club's history.

Derbies of this magnitude rarely hinge solely on quality. Composure, discipline and mentality often prove decisive, particularly under the intense scrutiny that accompanies such occasions. Every challenge, every decision, every moment will be dissected.

There is no hiding place in games like this. And with so much on the line, these final five fixtures may represent the greatest test yet for this Hearts side.

By the end of May, the outcome will be clear. Whether they rise to the challenge - or fall short - will define their season.

The latest news and views on Heart of Midlothian in two minutes, every weekday afternoon.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

🎧 Hearts Daily: Pivotal weekend in title race

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Lawrence Shankland admits title excitement is building among the Hearts squad - but warned they can't afford another lacklustre derby showing at Easter Road on Sunday.

The Premiership leaders were three goals down after 50 minutes on their previous trip to Leith in December, with their comeback falling short in a 3-2 defeat.

This time the finishing line to a gripping title race is in sight, with five games left and Hearts holding a one-point lead over Rangers while Celtic lurk three adrift.

Shankland is wary of a Hibs side intent on dealing a blow to their high-flying rivals' glory bid.

"For large spells of that game we let ourselves down," the striker said. "For about 60 minutes we weren't at the level we needed to be.

"Once we got the first goal, we found it again and almost got something, but we probably didn't deserve it overall.

"I'm sure the boys will have taken note of how that feeling was. We know we're going to need a much better performance for 90 minutes if we're going to get a result this time.

"These games are decided by small margins. Goals change momentum, so for us it's about starting well and showing our best level. We've shown this season that when we do that, we can win a lot of matches.

"There's an excitement about the place. It's the business end of the season and it's a good position to be in. I've enjoyed it up until now and hopefully that continues.

"It's exciting but there's going to be plenty of twists and turns. But if we concentrate on our results and we pick up maximum points then there's only one place we'll be."

The Scotland international highlighted the importance of handling pressure better than in previous encounters.

"I don't think we dealt with it too well that day," he added. "Going behind is something we reflected on as a team - we could have managed it better.

"But over the season we've shown we have a strong mentality. We've come from behind, we've held leads, and we've won in different ways. That belief is there - this is just another game we need to approach in the same way."

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Former Hearts defender Paul Ritchie believes there will be both nerves and confidence in the current squad as they target a remarkable Scottish Premiership triumph.

Ritchie, who was part of the Hearts squad that ultimately finished third behind Celtic and Rangers in the 1997-98 season, has backed Derek McInnes' team to finish the job.

Hearts are one point clear of Rangers and three above Celtic with five matches left.

"To be above Rangers and Celtic very rarely happens so there will be a confidence in the group," Ritchie said on the Sacked in the Morning podcast.

"There are strong characters there and a great manager.

"The balance needs to be right. A lot of players will be nervous, but they have earned the right to be where they are, so they must have the confidence to finish it off in the last five games."

Ritchie says this Hearts team have the chance to do what his side failed to do in their title challenge - win at Easter Road when it matters.

Hearts travel to their Edinburgh rivals on Sunday (16:30 BST).

"It's going to come down to the same game - when we lost to Hibs at Easter Road - they have a chance to rectify it and do it right," Ritchie said.

"At that time, we didn't have enough to get over the line; this group does. It's a fantastic achievement where they are and they are so close now."

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Scottish tennis legend - and Hibs fan - Andy Murray has admitted he wants Hearts to win the title this season.

The Tynecastle side, currently a point clear of Rangers and three above Celtic, visit Easter Road on Sunday for the first of their five post-split fixtures.

"I'll probably get hammered for this, but I personally think it's a good thing for Scottish football if Hearts were able to win," Murray, 38, told Sky Sports., external

"Obviously as a Hibs fan there's a huge rivalry there, but it's been a long time, the Eighties [since a non-Old Firm team won the league].

"People are asking me about Scottish football, that never really happens. So there is obviously a lot of interest in it.

"I think for Scottish football on the whole it would be a good thing, but for the Hibs-Hearts rivalry it will be disappointing.

"Sunday is a big one. That is Hibs' chance to dent their hopes - I hope Hibs win that, obviously."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Derek McInnes has been speaking to the media before Hearts begin their post-split fixtures with an Edinburgh derby at Hibs on Sunday.

Here are the key lines from the Tynecastle boss:

• Oisin McEntee will miss the rest of the season with a thigh injury sustained in the win over Motherwell last time out. He joins Tomas Magnusson and Ageu on the sidlelines for the remainder of the campaign.

• McInnes describes the Irishman's absence as a "real blow" but says: "My focus is on the players who are available to us, as harsh as that sounds."

• Craig Gordon is not in training yet but is "doing a bit of handling with the rest of the goalkeepers". Harry Milne is progressing well from a calf problem and could make the weekend's game.

• McInnes believes Hearts have the hardest first post-split fixture but is "proud" of his players' achievements so far and wants them to "finish the job".

• McInnes knows that as well as chasing a European spot, Hibs will be fired up to "put a bit of damage onto us". He adds: "That's fine. but equally, we've got to go there and try and be the quality Hearts team I know we're capable of being and winning a game that we know we can win."

• There is "never a meaningless" Edinburgh derby no matter where the clubs are in the table and Hearts are "well aware of that".

• McInnes says it will be a "big ask" for any club to win all five post-split games, but a good start can provide vital momentum and "confidence that anything is possible".

• The Hearts boss adds: "We go into it a point ahead of everybody else and we're still fighting, we're still believing, we're still swinging. We still feel there's more wins in us and we feel that if we can get enough, then hopefully we get the reward at the end of it."

• On Hearts' defeat at Easter Road earlier in the season - when they three three down before losing 3-2 - McInnes admits they were "murder" in the first half and lost "awful" goals before being the better team after the break.

• McInnes is aware of Versailles midfielder Tom Renaud but wouldn't be drawn on reports Hearts are close but signing the Frenchman.

• With Beni Baningime, Cammy Devlin and Marc Leonard all fit and available, McInnes was asked whether they can play together. "I think good players can play with each other," he says. "Obviously, they're all a bit different to each other. It's getting balance in the team, whether it's in the forward areas, whether it's defensively or whether it's midfield. I'm just pleased I've got so many good players to pick from."

• On how McInnes and his players are dealing with the title pressure and staying calm, he says: "There is a lot of humour and a lot of enjoyment with us. Football's not always easy... but I think it's got to be there to be enjoyed. And I do feel that when you're in and around it, it feels as if we're just enjoying our work."

• McInnes says January arrival Rogers Mato still has a part to play this season, adding: "He's got that speed that can cause teams problems, but we'll just try to channel all that. We're looking for those improvements quickly. But we don't want to just say he's here for next season. He's got a part to play, as everybody else has this season, but how big a part he plays is up to Rogers."

• McInnes is delighted for Hearts-bound Josh McPake to have won the Championship title with St Johnstone, saying: "It's a club with a lot of people I know and one I have a lot of affection for, so it's great to see them back. Josh, when he got his future sorted for next season in January, wanted to go out on a high and I think it says a lot about him. He's been first class for them."

We asked for your views on which Hearts player has been the biggest disappointment in the club's memorable season.

Here are some of your views:

Kevin: Ageu seems to fit the pre-Jamestown mould of signings - lots of hype with little product, and very injury prone! Hope he can kick on next season, but even his limited appearances haven't been impressive.

John: No shortage of candidates for this unfortunately. Any of Islam Chesnokov, Rogers Mato or Pierre Landry Kabore could get the nod here but it has to be Ageu. Allegedly costing £1.8m and no doubt with considerable wages alongside that yet he's played about 60 minutes all season, appears to have all the strength of wet paper and looks like a colossal failure currently and a gargantuan waste of money.

Dave: Obviously Ageu, however the other has to be Calem Nieuwenhof. The boy has had absolutely no luck with injuries, I was hopeful we would see him kick on this season.

Richard: There are a few who've come in and not featured so that's disappointing. I don't want to name individuals who have underwhelmed but it's fair to say that Ageu, who came with a bit of a fanfare, hasn't been allowed to do his stuff due to injury so that's been a bit of a letdown.

David: There are several players who would fit in this category. I have, however, gone for Elton Kabangu - looked lively and with a few goals when he joined on loan - given a contract and he's completely disappeared from view! With no comments from the management then you have to wonder what has happened. An end of season exit surely - together with several others!

Alan: Underwhelming player is tough to come up with. If I had to I'd go for Ageu, right-back Christian Borchgrevink, Nieuwenhof and Finlay Pollock. Injured most of the time so unfortunately had to be.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

No more respite. This is it.

Four weeks from now, Hearts fans will either be on day four of a week-long bender, or will be questioning whether they can ever watch football again.

The Gorgie side go into their post-split curtain-raiser with a one-point lead at the Scottish Premiership summit.

If you had offered that scenario to any Jambo at the start of the campaign, you would currently be reading this with one hand.

However, with Rangers and Celtic breathing down their necks as they aim for a historic top-flight title, the pressure is about to crank up to a new level.

A mouthwatering top-six finale starts with Celtic hosting Falkirk on Saturday evening, Rangers entertaining Motherwell on Sunday, before a box-office Edinburgh derby closes out another blockbuster weekend.

So what sort of shape are Hearts in as they prepare for one of their most significant trips to Leith in recent memory?

Derek McInnes' players might look a little bronzer when they take to the Easter Road pitch after spending part of the past week getting a sweat on in Spain.

Former Hearts boss Robbie Neilson questioned the decision to opt for a warm-weather training camp at this stage of the season, but McInnes sees the benefits.

The head coach has been boosted by the returns of influential trio Lawrence Shankland, Cammy Devlin and Stuart Findlay in recent weeks, while Harry Milne stepped up his recovery in Spain.

Shankland, Devlin and Findlay all played important roles in Hearts' comeback victory against Motherwell last time out - a result that means they go into the split with 10 points from their past five games.

The next five will determine whether McInnes and his players achieve what many felt was unthinkable at the start of this season.

They face trips to Motherwell and Celtic, plus home encounters with Rangers and Falkirk, following Sunday's derby at Hibernian.

Those five exact fixtures at their respective venues have already contributed more than 10 of Hearts' 70 points this campaign.

Mirroring those results in the split would likely ensure that McInnes and his squad become legends. The next month will reveal all. Buckle up.

Last week we asked for your Hearts player of the year - and Claudio Braga emerged as the top choice.

Now we want to know the Tynecastle player who has been the biggest disappointment this season.

It could be a new signing who has underwhelmed or an existing squad member who has failed to kick on despite the table-topping club's memorable campaign.

Share your thoughts here.

Hearts showed the grit and character that has been integral to their Scottish Premiership title charge in their comeback win against Motherwell last time out.

The 3-1 victory extended their unbeaten home run in the league this season, but the stakes will rise on Sunday when they travel to face Edinburgh rivals Hibernian in a mouth-watering post-split derby.

Derek McInnes' men can expect an intense and hostile afternoon, but can they arrest their alarming away form to make another statement in their push for a historic top-flight title?

A 2-2 draw at the bottom side Livingston at the start of April means Hearts have picked up just one point from their past four league matches on the road, with three straight defeats at Kilmarnock, Rangers and St Mirren coming prior.

Throw in December's derby loss at Easter Road, and Hearts have suffered defeat in four of their past seven away games and have failed to win five of them.

In fact, after starting the season with four straight victories on the road, they have won just four of the following 12.

The league leaders' league form on the road is the division's third best, four points worse off than Rangers and three behind Celtic.

Three of Hearts' five post-split fixtures take place away from Tynecastle, with trips to Motherwell and Celtic following Sunday's short trip to Leith.

There are also home encounters to come against Rangers and Falkirk, which will give McInnes' side the opportunity to stretch their stellar home form.

However, failure to end a four-game winless away run could prove to be the difference. Sunday would be a good time to arrest that.

Ray Bradshaw will be joined by fans up and down the country on Monday for This Is Fans Only to discuss the weekend's biggest points.

Supporters will come on live and viewers will get the chance to join in on the debate, as well.

The show will be broadcast live on the BBC Sport Scottish Football YouTube channel at 18:00 BST.

To make sure you don't miss any bespoke video content, make sure to subscribe to the channel HERE, external.