A stoppage time sickener ensured Hibs edged out Cowdenbeath the last time the Blue Brazil visited Easter Road, but boss Jimmy Nicholl is targeting at least a point from today’s trip.
The Hibees ran out 3-2 winners in that particular game in September, although Cowden were leading 2-1 with 12 minutes to go before a Dominque Malonga penalty and a Jason Cummings goal in injury time swung things in the favour of Alan Stubbs’ side.
It was hard luck on the Fife side and it was a similar story when the teams met at Central Park, with Hibs having to hold on to a 2-1 win on that occasion as Cowden battled back in the second half.
So Nicholl knows his team are capable of matching today’s hosts and, with a home game against Rangers to come next weekend, he will be hoping Cowden can take something from Leith to boost their survival bid.
“We do need to string some results together and I am fully aware that we have two tough games coming up,” he commented.
“The last time we were at Easter Road we were leading going into the closing stages and ended up losing but we have a chance to go there and enjoy ourselves in a good atmosphere.
“We really want to get something from the match and I do not think it’s beyond us.
“The opening 45 minutes against Livingston last week were a bit sloppy from us and we gave the ball away too readily after losing a goal in the early minutes.
“We were basically handed a gift of a leveller but we just did not build on it.”
Cowden avoided being dragged towards bottom spot thanks to a 1-1 draw against Livingston last week, although ninth-placed Alloa remain just two points behind them in the race to avoid the drop zone.
Skipper John Armstrong and left back Kenny Adamson are continuing their respective recoveries from injury, although Dean Brett is back in full training and will be vying for a starting slot after being on the bench last week.
In addition, Nat Wedderburn and Sean Higgins are hopeful of shaking off knocks they picked up seven days ago.