Who will win Hibs vs Hearts as our staff writers make their Edinburgh derby predictions

There's nothing better than an early season Edinburgh derby, unless you're Ron Gordon.

The Hibs owner took aim at the SPFL for scheduling the first capital clash of the season in just the second week. City rivals Hearts are the first visitors to Easter Road of the 2022/23 Premiership campaign, which the American insists will see his side miss out on the extra walk ups a so-called lesser home game would have seen through the turnstiles at this stage of the season.

Robbie Neilson is all for it though, and no wonder. The Jambos went unbeaten against their neighbours last term drawing the first two meetings before back-to-back wins in Spring defined each side's season. Hearts came from behind to win 3-1 at Tynecastle in March, sealing third place and condemning Hibs to the bottom six in the process. A week later, they did it all again at Hampden. And it was the Gorgie Boys with the bragging rights yet again after a 2-1 win guaranteed them European group stage football until at least November.

The cost was high for Shaun Maloney, who paid with his job just days later. Now Neilson's former Tynecastle teammate Lee Johnson is in the opposing dugout and will sample his first Edinburgh derby for 16 years after making his Jambos debut in a 4-1 win over their rivals in 2006.

Martin Boyle will be back but not in the squad for the game. The Australian international has agreed a return to the club on a three-year deal, and will be presented. to the fans before kick-off.

He'll no doubt get a warm welcome back from the 3,800 away fans in the South Stand, who will be hoping to wreck Boyle's homecoming with another derby win.

Here's how the Record Sport writers think the game will go.

It’s hugely important for Hibs to lay some