When Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian last met on Boxing Day, Martin Boyle's brace kept Hearts rooted to the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table. Five months later, they were laid down.
Five years later, that same fate threatens both clubs after disappointing starts to their league campaigns. Hibs are eighth while Hearts languish in 10th, just four and two points off the league drop respectively.
The Edinburgh giants have spent almost two months as the bottom pair in the Premier League but with just one league defeat in each of their last four games, a winner could lift closer to the top six than the bottom of the table.
Thursday 26 December 12:00 p.m
Start at 12:30 p.m
Four of the last five meetings between these sides have ended in draws despite visitors Hibernian having won just one derby in 15 since winning on Boxing Day in 2019.
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Highlights from the first Scottish Premier League game between Hibernian and Hearts this season
Neil Critchley and David Dray will both be looking for their first Edinburgh Derby wins as head coaches when their sides meet at Tynecastle Park on Thursday – live on Sky Sports from 12 p.m.
Critchley: Hearts moving on but I need time
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Neil Critchley on his first few months as Hearts boss, plus the 'big' Edinburgh derby against Hibernian on Boxing Day
Talking to Sky Sports News ahead of his first Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle Park, Heart senior coach Neil Crichley said:
“It's awesome, I'm really looking forward to it. It's a game that everyone is looking forward to and we've been at it for the past few weeks.
“We're coming in off the back of a win but so are Hibs, so it's a good game. We're calm.
Blair Spittal scored the winner as Hearts beat St Johnstone to move off the bottom
“If you look at the points we collected while we were here, we are doing very well but we want to do better. We are close to the league and closing on points. It is to well packed down at the bottom of the table and we have a busy time ahead.
“You always want to do better. We have made some progress in performances, and I think we are moving forward. I still think we have a lot of work to do and as any manager or coach would say: “we want time', but we have to get some wins.”
Grey: The biggest day in the calendar
Talking to Sky Sports News ahead of the trip to Tynecastle Park, Hibernian senior coach David Gray said:
“This game doesn't need much introduction. I've been lucky enough to be involved in the last 10 years, it's the biggest day in the calendar and if you get three points it's even more special.
“It's been five years since we last went and we did it on Boxing Day, so hopefully that's a good omen and we can send them home happy tomorrow.
Nicky Cadden and Chris Cadden celebrate as Hibernian beat Aberdeen in their last game for back-to-back 3-1 wins.
“For all the players, the fans, for everyone involved, this is the one they look forward to. I'm sure not everyone can wait.
“We have been quietly confident that things would improve. You are starting to see now that the unity has always been there and with good results the confidence is starting to come, which is very good.”
