Hibernian vs Queen’s Park: A Clash of Tiers in the League Cup
The hosts began their League Cup campaign with a comfortable 5-0 victory against Elgin City on Saturday, a result that left them joint top of their group.
Striker Dylan Vente scored a hat-trick on the day, and he will hope that he can replicate his League Cup display in the upcoming Scottish Premiership season, considering he only scored five goals in the top flight last term.
Hibs managed to reach the League Cup semi-final in 2023-24, and while they have only played one game in the competition in 2024-25 so far, they have certainly made an impressive start.
However, it should be noted that last season the Hibees entered the 2023-24 edition at the round of 16 stage due to their participation in the UEFA Conference League.
Manager David Gray oversaw his first competitive game in charge of the club since being appointed permanently in May, and given the nature of their 5-0 victory, the former Hibs player has already provided fans with a degree of optimism after the turbulence of last season.
Indeed, having sacked both Lee Johnson and Nick Montgomery over the course of the 2023-24 campaign, Hibs’ announcement that Gray would become the 14th player to represent the club as both a player and as a permanent manager was a timely boost.
As for the visitors, they have never won the League Cup and finished second in their group in the 2023-24 season, a placement that saw them exit the competition at the first stage.
This season their opening performance against League Two Peterhead was far more impressive than last term’s opening penalty shootout defeat against East Fife, as Queen’s Park won 5-0 on Saturday.
However, this League Cup victory was just the Spiders’ second in seven matches in the competition, and in recent seasons their overall record has been poor.
In fact, they have lost 11 of their 17 matches in the tournament since the 2020-21 season and have conceded 18 goals in that period while failing to score on seven occasions.
Callum Davidson has been in charge since January and took over a side that had finished third last in the Scottish Championship, a placement that was just one place and one point above the division’s relegation playoff spot.
Hibernian and Queen’s Park face off on Tuesday, July 16th, 2024, in a Scottish League Cup group stage match. Here’s a look at what to expect:
Hibernian: The Favored Home Team
- Currently sitting in 2nd place of the Premiership (Scotland’s top division) [1, 2].
- Strong start to the season with a convincing 5-0 win against Elgin City in the League Cup [1, 2].
- Boasting Dylan Vente, who scored a hat-trick in the opening match, as a key player to watch [2].
- Reached the League Cup semi-finals last season, showcasing their experience in the competition [2].
Queen’s Park: Aiming for an Upset
- Recently promoted from the Championship (Scotland’s second division) after finishing 8th last season [4].
- Had an impressive opening match themselves, defeating Peterhead 5-0 in the League Cup [1].
- Ended their Championship season strongly with two wins and a draw [1].
Prediction
Hibernian are the clear favorites for this match, with bookmakers placing their odds of winning at a significant 1.30 [3]. Their Premiership experience and strong start to the season suggest they should control the game. However, Queen’s Park shouldn’t be entirely discounted. Their recent good form and confidence from their promotion could see them cause an upset.
Possible Outcomes
- Hibernian win comfortably, potentially with a scoreline like 3-0 [3].
- A closer match with Hibernian still edging out Queen’s Park.
- An unlikely but exciting underdog victory for Queen’s Park.
The Weather Factor
The match will be played at Easter Road Stadium with a forecast of 13°C (55°F) – a cool but comfortable temperature for a summer evening match.
Looking to Learn More?
Here are some resources for further reading:
