Hibernian vs Falkirk
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<html> <head> <title>Hibernian vs Falkirk – Tactical Preview, Odds and Betting Insight</title> <meta name="description" content="Professional preview: Hibs host Falkirk at Easter Road with mid‑table positioning at stake. Form, tactics, injury news and betting analysis."> </head> <body> <h2>Hibs target a reset; Falkirk seek validation</h2> <p>Hibernian and Falkirk arrive at Easter Road level on points, but the mood music differs. Hibs have dropped back-to-back league games, including a 2–1 home defeat to Celtic, while newly promoted Falkirk are unbeaten in five and have strung together three consecutive clean sheets. For the hosts, this fixture has been circled as a tone-setter. For John McGlynn’s side, it’s a barometer of how far their structure and resilience travel against a top-half club.</p> <h3>Team news and likely XIs</h3> <p>Hibs’ absentee list still includes Alasana Manneh and Rudi Molotnikov, with doubts lingering over Junior Hoilett and Jordan Obita after knocks sustained in the Celtic game. The shape should mirror recent weeks: a back three of O’Hora, Bushiri and Iredale ahead of Sallinger; wing-backs Chris Cadden and Josh Mulligan; Miguel Chaiwa and Josh Campbell in midfield; Jamie McGrath supporting the pace of Kieron Bowie and Martin Boyle.</p> <p>Falkirk have a longer injury ledger – Aidan Nesbitt, Coll Donaldson, Lewis Neilson, Ross MacIver, Thomas Lang and others are expected to miss out. The visitors are set up 4‑2‑3‑1 with Scott Bain in goal, Liam Henderson anchoring the back line, Brad Spencer and Dylan Tait the double pivot, and pace from Calvin Miller and Ethan Williams behind the ever-physical Brian Graham.</p> <h3>Tactical microscope: the right flank and the second half</h3> <p>Two themes define this matchup. First, Hibs’ right-side thrust. Martin Boyle’s diagonal runs and Chris Cadden’s crossing repeatedly target the far post and the penalty spot. Against Falkirk’s left flank (Leon McCann plus a winger asked to double up), that can be decisive if the visitors are forced to defend sustained pressure.</p> <p>Second, the pronounced second-half tilt. Hibs score the majority of their home goals after the break, while Falkirk both concede and create more in the latter stages away from home. Substitutions and the game state tend to suit David Gray’s side at Easter Road, where crowd, territory and set-piece volume grow as minutes tick by.</p> <h3>Form and flow</h3> <p>Hibs’ underlying trend remains positive: in the last eight league games they’ve improved points-per-game, boosted their scoring rate and trimmed goals conceded. They’ve already shown they can bully bottom-half sides at home, putting four past Livingston and beating Dundee FC 2–0. The defeats to Rangers and Celtic were fine margins games settled early; Hibs finished both stronger than they started.</p> <p>Falkirk’s run is genuinely impressive for a promoted club. The 3–0 at Dundee United was the statement win, but the two 0–0s that followed were about steel and structure rather than cutting edge. They’ve defended their box well, Bain has been outstanding, and McGlynn’s double pivot has protected central areas. What’s missing is repeatable threat in transition against better sides – hence calls to unleash more pace from the start.</p> <h3>Set pieces and decisive moments</h3> <p>Hibs’ set-piece threat is real with Bushiri and O’Hora attacking McGrath’s deliveries. Falkirk, meanwhile, have profited from dead balls and second phases this season. The first goal will be pivotal: Hibs average 2.25 points when they strike first; Falkirk’s away equalizing rate is a modest 25%. Conversely, Falkirk defend leads exceptionally well on the road.</p> <h3>Odds, value and what it means</h3> <p>Bookmakers make Hibs solid favourites (around 1.58). That’s fair-to-slightly short given Falkirk’s resilience, but the second-half markets offer more value: Hibs to win the second half around 1.90 aligns neatly with both teams’ timing splits. Overs (2.5) at 1.62 remains viable in a stadium that inflates chance volume, though recent 0–0s temper enthusiasm.</p> <h3>Prediction</h3> <p>Hibs 2–1 Falkirk. Expect a measured first half and a more assertive Hibs after the interval. Boyle’s pace and McGrath’s set-piece quality are likely to be the difference, while Falkirk’s Graham ensures the visitors carry a threat, particularly on restarts.</p> </body> </html>
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