Hearts and Hibs pre-split fixtures in full as battle…

Hearts and Hibs pre-split fixtures in full as battle for third spot and Europe heats up

Hearts and Hibs face a huge final TEN games of the campaign in the race to finish third and secure European football.

Robbie Neilson and his troops took the best of the rest spot behind Celtic and Rangers last season and they are in pole position at this moment in time with a five point lead over Lee Johnson's men in the Premiership standings. Both sides are fully focused on the league run-in with both out of the Scottish Cup. The big games start this weekend with the Hibees travelling to face Ange Postecoglou and his champions while it is a trip north for the Jambos to face Aberdeen.

After this weekend four games will remain until the top six and bottom six are determined at the close of play on matchday 33. That third spot could prove to be a huge financial windfall with an Old Firm draw in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup. That means one of the top two will return to Hampden for the final and play one of Falkirk or Inverness. They would be deemed heavy pre-match favourites and glory for either Glasgow side would mean a huge boost on the European front for the team finishing third.

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It would mean the Europa League play-off spot that comes with winning the famous old trophy going to the third placed team and with that the guarantee of at minimum Europa Conference League proper and a big boost to the club funds. Hearts and Hibs will both be determined to finish the top side outside the Old Firm and secure European football and give themselves the best possible chance of landing the bonus should Rangers or Celtic lift the last domestic trophy on offer. The first task is securing a position in the top six and then the fight for European places begins.