Scottish Premiership side Hibernian are set to host sixth-tier side Clydebank at Easter Road Stadium on Saturday afternoon in round four of the Scottish FA Cup.
The hosts are entering the competition at this stage, while the visitors have already progressed past three teams to make it to this round of the tournament.
Match preview
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After enduring an extremely challenging start to the 2024-25 season, Hibernian have experienced a dramatic turnaround in fortunes in their recent outings.
Hibs started the campaign with just four wins from their opening 19 matches across all competitions, alongside six draws and a disappointing nine defeats.
They finally ended a dismal nine-game winless run between mid-September and late-November with a 3-0 win against Motherwell, and while they suffered defeat in the following match to Celtic, Hibs have since remained undefeated in their last seven fixtures.
David Gray's men are now heading into this one having won five and drawn two of their past seven, quickly catapulting them up the Scottish Premiership table and into sixth place.
Hibernian will now aim to extend their unbeaten streak as they take on lower-league Clydebank in the fourth round of the cup, ahead of a crucial run of fixtures against the likes of Aberdeen, Celtic and St Mirren.
The visitors will undoubtedly be the underdogs heading into this one, given they currently compete in the West of Scotland Football League Premier Division, the sixth tier of the Scottish football pyramid.
Clydebank are enjoying a strong season, sitting at the top of the league with 26 points from 10 games, holding a four-point lead over second place and with at least one game in hand on the teams below them.
They remained unbeaten in their opening 19 matches across all competitions, recording 17 wins and two draws, before losing to St Rochs in the West of Scotland Football League cup at the beginning of December.
Clydebank were unable to bounce back from that defeat with a victory as they were held to a 1-1 draw with Glenafton Athletic in their last outing, but that result means they do remain unbeaten in the league with eight wins and two draws from the 10 fixtures.
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Team News
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Hibernian are set to be without the availability of several players due to injury issues in this match, including Joe Newell, Kieron Bowie, Marvin Ekpiteta, Mykola Kukharevych and Thody Elie Youan.
Due to Clydebank competed several divisions below Hibs, Gray could make a number of changes to his starting 11 in order to rest key players ahead of their upcoming Scottish Premiership fixtures.
As for the visitors, Gordon Moffat is likely to name a strong starting team as he aims for his side to cause a major upset and progress into the fifth round of the tournament.
Ciaran Mulcahy is anticipated to lead the line for Clydebank, playing just ahead of Nicky Little in the attacking midfield position.
Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Bursik; Miller, O'Hora, Iredale; Cadden, Kwon, Amos, Obita; Moriah-Welsh; Gayle, Hoilett
Clydebank possible starting lineup:
Leishman; Hodge, Niven, Darroch, MacKenzie; McGonigle, Cairns, Johnstone, Gallacher; Little; Mulcahy
We say: Hibernian 4-0 Clydebank
Hibernian are major favourites due to competing several tiers higher than their opponents, and even if they name a heavily-rotated team, we expect the hosts to comfortably win here.
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Ellis Stevens
